Giving women a leg up: Event brings together business owners and supporters

– Stories and photos by Jennifer Clunie

Susan Otcenas (in black), President of Team Estrogen,
demonstrates cycling attire intended
support women of all shapes and sizes.

In a field still often dominated by male interests and pursuits, women are coming together to stake their claim in Portland’s $90 million a year bicycle industry. Last night, approximately 150 people gathered at United Bicycle Institute for Bike Economics a forum showcasing women-owned, bicycle-related businesses based right here in Portland.

Serving as both an educational sampling of local commerce and a valuable networking opportunity, co-organizers Elly Blue and Ellee Thalheimer planned the event as a fundraiser for the newly created Women in Active Transportation Scholarship Fund. Proceeds from the event will be used as seed money to grant scholarships encouraging women to toe-up to the starting line and take their (rightful) place at the head of the peloton in the active transportation movement.

“With the under-representation of women in the bicycle industry, opportunities to network with one another are precious… We can all learn from one another.”
— Susan Otcenas, Team Estrogen

Twenty featured presenters, from frame builders to bike shop proprietors to those selling everything from homes to cookies by bike, issued one-minute “elevator speeches” explaining both their business and inspiration for its existence.

Representing a tapestry as colorful and varied as the Portland itself, self-employed, single staff operations still in their lean early years stood rank-and-file with established veterans with a decade or more of savvy business expertise. Despite the differences in their respective tills, several presenters expressed the same desire for connection and community that led them to participate in this event.

Best t-shirt of the night: “I ride my bike
more than my girlfriend—but she still loves me.”

“With the under-representation of women in the bicycle industry, opportunities to network with one another are precious,” states Susan Otcenas, President of Team Estrogen, an online retailer of women’s bike gear and clothing. “We can all learn from one another.”

Amidst clinks and chatter, presenters were able to intersperse their stories with one-on-one personal dialogues with attendees and fellow presenters. Custom wheel-builder Jude Kirstein, owner of Epic Wheelworks proudly announced, “I create revolutions in my studio every day.” Approaching the one-year anniversary of her business launch, she has yet to draw a paycheck—but remains passionately committed to promoting sustainable practices and keeping women rolling.

Surprisingly, a fair number of these one-woman businesses chose not to invest in media campaigns or substantial print advertising, but rely heavily on word-of-mouth. The Cycling Salon, which offers bike fitting, personal shopping, and courses in bike repair and maintenance, is by appointment only and targets the 45-plus crowd who may not have ridden in 15-20 years and might be otherwise intimidated by a bike shop. With the mission of “empowering women to improve their health, fitness and well-being through cycling,” co-owner Audrey Block told the crowd, “We’d love to see your mothers.”

Empowerment, encouragement and equipping women to have more confidence on their bikes were high notes struck multiple times throughout the evening.

Dana Hinger of Queen Bee Creations.

“Women are more likely to continue riding if they are comfortable in their own skin, comfortable on their bikes, and comfortable in their apparel,” states Otcenas. It was this same determination — to help women find a bike that is both comfortable and fun to ride — that prompted Natalie Ramsland and her husband to invest their wedding funds into frame-building equipment and a blowtorch. And thus, Sweetpea Bicycles was born, with the mission to “honor the connection between a woman and her bike.”

Ramsland described the bicycle culture in the city which gave this line birth as “robust and surprising,” with an individuality that enables Portlanders to claim “all reasons to get on the bike as part of the life you’re already living, rather than a discrete act.”

Offering both the Love Line and the Lust Line — with a new top-secret variant coming out later this summer only to be described as “timely” — Sweetpea Bicycles intends at “stopping nothing short of total niche domination.” If what I experienced last night is any indicator, they’ll have both some serious competition and a flourishing environment for the women’s bicycle market.

— Learn more about this event and the new scholarship it helped kickstart at the Bike Economics website.

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Kronda
13 years ago

This was a great event. Props to all the organizers and attendees. We really have a lot of amazing bike women in this town.

To the successful (male) shop owner who asked in a baffled tone why more women don’t avail themselves of the opportunities in the bike industry– The fact that this even is necessary in the first place, is kind of a clue that, maybe that male dominated industry isn’t such an open door if you’re not one of the boys.

Here’s to prying that door open a little further.

chris
chris
13 years ago

I attended this event last night and it was so great and inspiring to see so many ladies coming together to share what they do! There were so many businesses I didn’t even know about too. My only concern is: where were the crowds that I regularly see en masse at other bike events? Women are a crucial part of cycling culture. We need to support women’s (and folks of all varied genders, honestly) active involvement, participation, and contributions to bike cultures. Frankly, I was disappointed that more men were not there to support this. I hope that more folks show up to more women-related events and continue to support women in cycling and bike businesses, financially or otherwise.
Thanks to all the awesome women and ladies in cycling!

PDXcyclist
PDXcyclist
13 years ago

Chris, the impression I got from reading the original articule was that this was an event by women, for women. Not that, as a man, I’d be turned away at the door but that really this was a chance for women to connect and support each other and a good cause.

I guess I misunderstood.

david....no! the other one
david....no! the other one
13 years ago

Chris, I agree with PDXcyclist. I also felt that this was a “FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN”, and that as such men would be in the way and women would not feel free to network.
I guess this is where I type “my bad”.

chris
chris
13 years ago

I assumed through the description that this was an event to support women and therefore it was open to everyone who wanted to support women in cycling related businesses. I don’t assume that (men’s) bike events are for men only as i wouldn’t assume this one was for women only. We should all be supporting each other, no matter what our gender. As long as guys who enter these spaces are checking themselves for how much space they’re taking up, then i don’t see why we wouldn’t be welcome as well as welcomed as supporters.
In solidarity, christopher.

Elly
13 years ago

Thanks for the write-up, Jenn! And huge thanks to everyone who came out to support the new grant fund and our inspiring line-up of entrepreneurs. It’s true that the invitation was open to the general public, and I do hope everyone who attended felt welcome (and well-fed). We’re very happy with how it went, and are excited to announce our first call for applications. Start dreaming big!

janis
janis
13 years ago

Sounds like it was a great event. Bummed that I missed it – though I did so because I was teaching a Women on Bikes clinic.
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=44100

Cheers!

J.Chong
13 years ago

Perhaps the next one could be expanded internationally.

And beam in Skype participants if they can’t make it..at least for 1 plenary conference session.

Suggestions next time:
Momentum magazine- 3 women created and own the magazine: Mia, Amy and Tara. The head editor is Sara R. It would be good for the rest of the world to understand their story …how they nurtured this baby and how it grew.

I would be willing to assist in co-organizing it if people want to go international next time in scope and speakers.

Jean
also-
http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com