A Seat at the Table: The Sisterhood Fueling Fredericksburg's Next Era of Business

When Dori Stewart looked out at Eden Try Winery that morning, she saw what she’d worked toward for years: Over 100 women—business owners, builders, healers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs—had gathered not to compete, but to celebrate. The energy was immediate and unmistakable: “The energy in that room was electric,” Dori Stewart, founder of FXBG Neighbors, said. “Over 100 women showed up, and you could just feel it the moment you walked in. There was this incredible mix of excitement, warmth, and genuine connection. Nobody was performing or posturing. Everyone was just there to celebrate each other — and that made all the difference.”

The Power Players “In Full Bloom” event didn’t just bring together women business leaders; it also inspired meaningful connections and elevated the visibility of women shaping the region’s economy. The results were profound: participants experienced new collaborations, discovered resources, and left with renewed purpose for their businesses.

The setting itself encouraged genuine interaction and facilitated impactful networking. Morning mimosas, tea, and charcuterie, a flower bar, photo booth fun, and the winery’s warmth created a space where business owners could connect with the typical elevator pitch or rehearsed speech. Many attendees mentioned forming partnerships and finding encouragement to pursue new opportunities beyond the event.

A Sisterhood in Full Bloom

Ask anyone who was there how they would describe the atmosphere, and the same words kept surfacing: warm, welcoming, sisterhood. For many women, it was their first time in a room filled entirely with fellow women entrepreneurs from the FXBG region — and the experience was quietly transformative.

“The atmosphere was welcoming and warm. It felt like a true sisterhood,” said Sha’ahn Williams, owner of Body Thief Body Sculpting. “I met some amazing women and made some lasting connections. We need this for our area.”

For Patricia Grant, agency owner at Farmers Insurance, attending the event opened her eyes to a side of Fredericksburg she hadn’t known before — both the community of women it holds and the hidden gems tucked within it.

“This was my first time being in a room filled with the community of women entrepreneurs in the FXBG area, and it was like a sisterhood,” she said. “The hidden treasures in Fredericksburg are unreal — I would not have known about the [Eden Try] Winery if I hadn’t attended this event.”

Amirah Clowers, founder of Naturalli Mi, a wellness brand rooted in natural healing and self-care, felt the room's authenticity the moment she arrived.

“It wasn’t just an event,” she remarked. “It felt like a space where women were truly seen, celebrated, and encouraged. What stood out most was how openly women shared their journeys — including both the wins and the challenges. That level of honesty created a real sense of connection.”

From these stories, a clear theme emerged: many chose collaboration over competition.

At Power Players, a single message stood out: there is space for every woman to succeed. While the world sometimes pits women against each other, this group has chosen collaboration to drive lasting change.

“I genuinely believe that when one of us wins, we all win. My whole platform is built around shining a light on other people,” Dori Stewart emphasized. “There is no scarcity here. There is more than enough room for all of us.”

That mindset was echoed across professions and industries throughout the morning. Dr. Katrina Spies, veterinarian and owner of Comfort Paws, put it plainly: “I embrace collaboration because the mission is bigger than any single practice or practitioner. With so many pets in our community needing help, competition only serves to limit our collective impact. By working together, we strengthen our ability to serve more families.”

Debra Balestreri, owner and artist at Corgi Clay Art Center, has spent three years cultivating her own community within the art world — and sees connection as the engine of growth.

“I often ask other gallery owners, art center operators, and artists to visit and chat with us and be a part of our programming when possible,” she said. “That’s how you grow valuable connections. It feels great to be acknowledged for the hard work we do — and I think all these women get that.”

Kat Halstead, who credits this very mindset with inspiring the launch of her second business, Chatham Heights Beauty, summed it up with the kind of conviction that only comes from lived experience: “At the top, we collab, we don’t compete. We help each other grow and look out for each other’s best interests, not just our own,” she said. “If you want to go fast, go alone — but if you want to go far, we go together.”

Being Seen Changes Everything

Running a business can be isolating. Long hours, high risks, and little recognition are common. For many women, Power Players created something rare: a space to be truly seen and valued.

“Being part of this community means everything to me,” Rami Thompson, owner and photographer of Black Lace Boudoir, said. “Running a business can feel isolating at times, so being surrounded by other women who understand the highs, the challenges, and the heart behind it all is incredibly meaningful.”

Karen Presecan, another photographer [Karen Presecan Photography] who views her peers as colleagues rather than competitors, noted that what FXBG Neighbors has built here is something she hasn’t encountered before in her years of networking. “I’ve been a part of networking groups in the past, and I am amazed at what Dori has created,” she said. “Her heart and hustle are like no other.”

Kim Oztuna of Burke & Burke Insurance, who is new to community networking in the area, was also moved by what she discovered: “It is collaborations like this that give us all that special recognition that we are being seen, and what we contribute to the community really does make a difference. I am thankful to be a part of such an amazing group of women in the Fredericksburg area.”

Maria Negron, who balances both a therapy practice and Hit the Spot Kitchen, offered perhaps the most precise articulation of what makes this community different: “This isn’t just networking — it’s being present and empowering change. It’s women showing up for each other in business and in life. It’s about building community with intention.”

Jenny Jones, owner of D&G Expressions, put an even finer point on it: “It’s a fantastic support system of women helping women succeed.” Jennifer Peyton, owner of Burg Charcuterie, who spent part of the morning finally meeting women she had only known online, summed up her experience with a feeling she hadn’t expected: pride.

“Just looking out at all of those beautiful faces and being so proud to be among these women I look up to,” Jennifer said, “and proud [of myself] hearing how some women look up to me.”

A Movement, Not a Moment

As conversations lingered, laughter and photographs shared, and flowers were arranged, it became clear: this was not just another event. It was the beginning of a movement to unite and empower women in Fredericksburg.

Dori Stewart, who looked out at that room full of women she had spent years working to bring together, already knows what comes next.

“Seeing so many women who had built something from nothing, showing up for each other without hesitation — that is what I will carry with me. This community does not just talk about supporting women in business. They actually show up. Power Players is not a one-time event. It is a movement — and we are just getting started. If you are a woman building something in this region, there is a seat at this table for you.”

A seat is open. The sisterhood is strong. And, in Fredericksburg, a new era of collaboration and empowerment is blooming.