Local news

Downtown women shifting the narrative, owning businesses and sharing experiences

LOCK HAVEN -- For years, the general image of business owning and operating only included male leadership roles -- suits and ties with female-counterparts sitting at desks taking phone calls and messages.

Today, the narrative has shifted and continues to mold into a more diverse realm of women owning their own businesses or even operating as president or CEO of personal or corporate companies.

The world has not only become more accepting of women in more authoritative roles, but according to a study by Babson College, having at least one woman in an executive position has much higher value than those who have only men in the same positions, and are even worth 64 percent more at first funding than male represented companies.

As a retired elementary school teacher, Paula Neyhart, owner of The Bus Stops Here on Main Street, welcomes school and daycare teachers and community members of all ages to come into her store for "educational materials for everyone."

Her store carries products like art supplies, bulletin board sets, educational games, informational posters, writing materials, stamps and stamp pads, homework books and any other educational materials for classroom and in-home use.

"It's not just for teachers, but for everyone," she said. "My long teaching career and continued interest in what's current in education enables me to bring insights and experience to the product needs of my customers."

She moved her store several years ago to its existing location on Main Street which has provided her with double the floor space to expand her product availability and more window space.

As community members walked into her store one day this week, Neyhart greeted them and provided them with the assistance they needed.

"The people here (in the community) are wonderful," she said. "They really go out of their way to support and help each other (during the pandemic)."

As a woman who has been in business for over 20 years, she certainly has helped pave the way for other women who want to own businesses in the downtown area.

In a similar fashion, single mom and owner of the East Main Street State Farm Agency, Cara Montarsi, saw the same image and has shown that women can do anything they put their mind to.

"Insurance was always a man's world," she said. "That was the picture…It is so wonderful that (business owning) can be whatever you make it or whatever you want it to be."

"I always wanted to show her (my daughter) that she is her only hurdle," Montarsi added. "If she writes her ideas down to become a goal, she can achieve it. It is the same in our community, we have so many women business owners… Hanna with Momoyo Otsu, Ashley with Skeleton Key... I could go on. That in itself is empowering and is freeing to know that you can do it too."

After a personal experience with her father, Montarsi opened her agency in November of 2019 and has been working diligently to ensure members of the community have the right insurance packages to help them in times of need.

"It was something I was always meant to do," she said. "My purpose is to protect the lives in the community and better prepare people for their future."

She added that her business prides itself on the education of options with their clients and to not follow a typical "cookie cutter approach," but rather to find what will meet the needs of the individual.

"My mottos is 'We Cara Bout You'…and we really believe that," she said. "We want to make sure everyone's needs are being met. We spend so much time and money working in our lives."

Darla Wise, investment adviser representative with Planned Futures, has been working in retirement investments and for Planned Futures for 11 years, also paving the way for young women who aspire to become independent investment advisors.

She works with all age groups to help people save funds for their retirement and then helping them through the process of retirement.

In addition, she also helps her clients with life insurances, college funding, traditional IRA's and charitable giving.

"My passion is for those who are retiring and figuring out what to do with their assets and help them financially get through the rest of their lives," she said.

The client to adviser relationship is the most important part of what Darla does, and she takes pride in making sure each of her clients can build trust in her while navigating them through the strenuous process of retirement.

"You really have to put a lot of thought and consideration into the person and the assets they have and come up with the best plan for them…I really learned to respect that process," she said. "In my business, you have to trust the person you are working with. That is the most important. I need them to know that they can trust me."