St. Pete Woman-Owned Business Gets Visit from U.S. Rep Charlie Chris

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and Oct 19-23 is St. Pete Small Business Week. A week-long event to celebrate local business growth and the diverse voices in entrepreneurship.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Chris will visit on Thurs. Oct. 22 at 2:30pm, in support of National Women’s Small Business Month – a time to recognize the myrid achievements of our country’s female entrepreneurs, and the positive impact they are making on our jobs and the economy. Michelle Tolan, owner of Natural Healing of St Petersburg, LLC (aka Your CBD Store St Pete) opened her business in the Crescent Lake Neighborhood. Since opening in Nov. 2018, she has had an active role in the community and has remained open during the pandemic.

Michelle is an Ambassador of the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, a member of the City of St. Pete Paws Initiative, is a Neighborhood Walking Ambassador, a Bicycle Friendly Business Bronze Member, participates at monthly fundraisers for Pet Pal Animal Shelter, and has hosted various fundraisers for local non-profits. This year she won the 2020 People’s Choice Best of the Best – Tampa Bay Times, 2020 Best of the Bay – Creative Loafing, 2020 Reader’s Choice – Tampa Bay Newspapers.

In October 1988, Congress ended state-sanctioned sex discrimination and promoted the growth and development of female entrepreneurs through the Women’s Business Ownership Act. It finally allowed women to apply for loans without a male co-signer. According to bizwomen, The Business Journal, “in 2018 four out of every 10 businesses in the U.S. were women-owned. Women-owned U.S. businesses grew from 4.6% in 1972 to 42% by 2018”. The 2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report, by American Express reports that in the past five years, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 21%, while all businesses increased only 1%.

One of U.S. Rep Charlie Crist’s “top priorities is finding common ground to move our nation – and – economy forward. Key to that is expanding access to capital for our small businesses, especially women – and minority-owned businesses right here in Pinellas County”.

The first Your CBD Store opened in Bradenton, Fla in 2018 by a woman. There are now over 600 retailers around the country and in the UK. It is the fastest growing CBD retailer in the county. www.CBDrx4u.com

Michelle managed the first Your CBD Store. She brings her diverse background to her local business – from the film industry, as a Certified and Accredited Life Coach, a Wellness Presenter, mentor for other women-owned businesses and she plays numerous percussion instruments.

Contact: Michelle Tolan
727-767-0596 store
727-773-7229 cell
stpete@cbdrx4u.com
StPetersburg.CBDrx4u.com

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