Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs: Celebrating Success in Culinary, Fashion, and Finance

Women's History MonthPhoto byDesigned by the Brown Report Newspaper.

Cuyahoga County, OH. - March is Women's History Month, which celebrates women's contributions to history, culture, and society in the United States.

In Cuyahoga County, we have some remarkable women who are trailblazers. They are mothers, business owners, corporate executives, activists, community leaders, and public officials making our region better today than it was yesterday.

Today, we spotlight Lisa McGuthry, Diane Linston, and Angela Marie Sayles.

As we celebrate triumph and success stories this month, we want to highlight a few amazing women who have reached for the stars and broken the glass ceiling.

Built by Women, Operated by Women, and Supported by All

Lisa McGuthry is a former corporate manager with extensive experience in product management, supply and demand, and business acquisition. She owns Our Favorite Things Boutique on Larchmere Ave. in Cleveland and the Signatures Full Service Catering and Event Center in Euclid, Ohio.

With two loves, McGuthry shines with her boutique, but her full-service catering and event center have her hurt strings. Having recently lost her husband, Donald McGuthry, unexpectedly, she is committed to his love for creating delicate dishes to satisfy the cravings of most picky eaters. McGuthry says, "Signature Events Venue and Catering Inc. Helps to create memories that last a lifetime. We care about every detail of your event from start to finish."

Signatures Event Center, Euclid, OHPhoto byLisa McGuthry Collection

The McGuthry's business was established in July 2022. "We opened our doors to the public in December 2022. My late husband Donald McGuthry's dream was always to serve the public comfort dishes at weddings, birthdays, corporate events, repasts, etc. Donald became a chef at 47 and always loved to cook, but returning to school as an adult learner didn't detour him. His brisket and ribs were his signature dishes. They were always smoked at a low temperature and to perfection. He carefully selected his culinary team. I focused primarily on sales, and our oldest daughter and son loved marketing and menu selections. Our goal is to build a legacy for future generations," said McGuthry.

If you are looking for an event center to complement your program or a special affair, consider "Signatures," a woman-owned and operated restaurant with a special signature for every dish served and every event catered to for excellence.

Fashion Makes the World Go Round

Diane Linston is in a class by herself. She owns and operates Styles of the Imagination "Never Give-Up" Collection. Linston is the only woman in Ohio who owns and operates a manufacturing company in the City of Cleveland, OH.

Alicia Hollings, Model CoachPhoto byDiane Linston Collection

"I am always humbled. I am the CEO of Styles Of Imagination and Cleveland Cut and Soul, a clothing manufacturing company. I am the only African-American female with a clothing manufacturing company that created a new line of hospital gowns," says Linston.

Linston is often seen on Newsnet TV 5 and Fox 8 News showcasing new designs when she is not traveling to Atlanta, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. She is not a stranger to Cleveland's fashion world. To give back to the community, Linston often helps new designers with creative development and marketing strategies for new fashion lines, promotes fashion shows, and is a fashion consultant and mentor to young women and men. She and model coach Alicia Hollings recently designed a new line of hospital gowns that was showcased on TV 5.

"I enjoy helping others. As people have helped me, I help others," says Linston. In 2022, Linston orchestrated Cleveland's most sought-after fashion show during the NBA All-Star Weekend. To top things off, she brought National Fashion Model Eva Marcelle of "All the Queens Men."

Linston is an advocate for children. She and local models partnered with the Black Women Commission of Cuyahoga County to raise money for an 8-year-old girl who had a heart transplant. The family received 100% of the proceeds.

Linston is making her mark with her fashion-focused style and grace. She rarely tells someone she won't help them or their cause. "It's hard for me to tell people no because I am such a giver from my heart. When you are a servant of the Lord, you are obligated to help. I am a passionate and caring person—I always pray that people won't harm me and Styles of the Imagination for lending a helping hand," says Linston.

Congratulations to Diane Linston and Styles of the Imagination for leading fashion in Cuyahoga County.

Financial Unity: Helping Small Businesses Understand Dollars and Cents while Engaging Women Entrepreneurs in Business Development

Angela Sayles is the founder and CEO of the Institution of FINANCIAL UNITY, a (financialunity.org) a non-profit organization specializing in brokering unity and working to improve the overall financial position of the global Black community. The organization offers financial and support services, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, budget development, and financial statements.

Angela Sayles, Financial UnityPhoto byAngela Sayles Collection

Established in 2016 and based in Ohio, their reach spans NYC to LA, the Caribbean to West Africa, Europe, and East Africa through cultural and financial education, local and global advocacy, program/project management, and direct services.

"Teaching women how to become owners, investors, and producers impacts the globe. We are powerful. We will travel because education is essential to our growth and livelihood," says Sayles.

Angela is passionate and committed to developing women in business and entrepreneurship. She is the co-creator of African Sisterhood: A Business Development Model, a publication that will be released in the Fall of 2024 and distributed throughout global networks. She mentors and supports women through strategic consultations, coaching, information technology, network sharing, and client-customer-consumer partnerships.

Sayles is Sailing: ADVOCACY FOR GLOBAL AFRICAN WOMEN

Sayles developed in-depth community organizing experience as a National Coordinator with the MWM20 Commemoration. She is the International Host and Chair of the Global African Sheroes Union, doing women's advocacy work at the United Nations on behalf of a global network of 200 African women in 21 regions throughout the African Diaspora and Continent. Her representation of the Union includes coalition building at the Accra Roundtable and Declaration on the Decade of Return, Global Africans Against Slavery, Pan African Coalition on Durban+20 & The Europe Region Civil Society Coalition, Ghana Year of Return Memorial Monument of Liberty and Reunification and Addis Roundtable 10 Year African Union Diaspora Review. She was recently appointed to AUADS 6th Region High Council Organization as Chair of Global Finance and chair of the Working Group representing Global African Women's Impact on World Peace In African Societies. She also serves on the High Council Management Committee and as a Facilitator for North America. Sayles is also Vice President for the local Sheroes Cleveland Chapter.

To contact Angela, visit the website at financialunity.org.

Lisa McGuthry, Diane Linston, and Angela Sayles exemplify extraordinary businesswomen in the region. Collectively, they embody the professional and stable business acumen needed for any thriving, successful venture.

As we celebrate the narrative of the past (Women's History Month), we honor these women for their contributions to the present and our collective future.