Women-Owned Businesses – October 2025

Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing and most impactful segments of the economy, both nationally and right here in Nebraska. Women own 43.3% of the businesses in Nebraska, higher than the national percentage of 39.1%. And they own 34% of the Nebraskan small businesses. Beyond the numbers, these businesses bring innovation, leadership, and resilience to every industry they touch. From technology and finance to retail, health, and creative services, women entrepreneurs are driving trends, setting standards, and reshaping the way business gets done. Their ability to innovate while maintaining a people-first approach sets them apart in today’s competitive market. At the same time, women continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, fewer networking opportunities, and barriers to scaling. Yet Nebraska women consistently rise above these obstacles, finding creative ways to fund, grow, and strengthen their companies.

What makes women-owned businesses especially noteworthy is their strong sense of community. Many of these leaders are dedicated mentors, guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs while also giving back through philanthropy, volunteerism, and civic involvement. They balance business with family and community life, building companies that reflect not only personal success but also shared values and pride of place. Nearly half of all new businesses started in 2024 were women-owned, underscoring the remarkable momentum of this movement. For Nebraska, that means more opportunity, more innovation, and more stories of perseverance worth celebrating.

Custom Blinds & Design

Sherri Tafoya founded of Custom Blinds & Design (CustomBlindsDesign.com) 25 years ago, in 2000. Sherri was on a quest for something that truly fueled her passion while supporting her family, and voila—a creation from scratch.

Blinds have consistently been the pathway, but the ultimate aim has always been to honor and glorify God. Shining their light with the team and clients is always front and center. Sherri empowers the Custom Blinds & Design team to make someone’s day joyful. What started as a part-time business from home has morphed into two showrooms (Lincoln and Omaha), and 21 team members in place to make your day. Sherri treats her team like a family! They’re all in this together and are united by a shared goal: to make sure you get custom treatments, made simple. Selecting the right window treatments is exciting, and they’re here to guide you through your options so you have window treatments you love—while having fun in the process. Custom Blinds & Design celebrated 25 years in business this year and they can’t wait to spend many more years giving you the custom treatment you deserve!

To learn more visit (CustomBlindsDesign.com) or stop by their Omaha showroom at 1105 South 180th.

T Square Movers

Ashley Tobias has called Lincoln home for nearly 12 years. She is the owner of T Square Movers (TSquareMovers.com), which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in January 2026, and Save Nebraska Local (SaveNebraskaLocal.com), which she has led for the past year.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ashley spent 13 years in human resources, gaining deep experience in personnel management. She also holds an associate degree in graphic design and a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational development—a combination that gives her both creative perspective and strong leadership skills.

At T Square Movers, Ashley manages a team of 10 employees dedicated to providing affordable, professional moving and packing services. Her focus on training, efficiency and customer care has allowed many middle-class families to save money while still receiving top-level service.

Through Save Nebraska Local, Ashley organizes monthly mastermind and networking events to help small businesses grow and connect. She also supports business owners through the SaveLocal App CRM, offering AI & automation tools that improve efficiency and help local businesses thrive.

Passionate about servant leadership and community building, Ashley continues to create opportunities for others while strengthening her own businesses.

To learn more about T Square Movers, visit (TSquareMovers.com) or call (402) 645-4067.

To learn more about Save Nebraska Local or the SaveLocal App, visit (SaveNebraskaLocal.com) or (SaveLocalApp.com), or call or text (402) 780-8813.

Marilyn Sutko & Lois Rood Independent Insurance Agents

Marilyn Sutko & Associates (Linkedin.com) is built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and personal connection. Independent insurance agents Marilyn Sutko and Lois Rood work side by side, sharing knowledge and supporting one another while maintaining their own independent practices. Together, they bring complementary strengths and a shared passion for helping clients feel secure about their future.

Marilyn Sutko, founder of Marilyn Sutko & Associates, is a licensed sales agent and independent insurance agent. She takes pride in offering more than policies; she provides peace of mind. With years of industry experience, Sutko understands that every client’s needs are unique. By operating independently, she partners with multiple carriers, ensuring her clients receive customized coverage that fits both their lifestyle and their budget.

Lois Rood brings her own wealth of experience and a client-centered approach. Known for her attentive service and clear communication, Rood helps clients navigate their insurance options with confidence. Her dedication to building lasting relationships underscores her reputation for integrity and care.

From life and health insurance to retirement solutions and supplemental coverage, Sutko and Rood share ideas and best practices that benefit the people they serve. Clients often remark on their ability to simplify complex choices while keeping their best interests front and center.

As independent, women-owned businesses working in collaboration, Sutko and Rood are committed to helping every client feel protected, informed, and cared for—because insurance should always be personal.

Chaos To Boss

For over 30 years, Lynette Sorrentino has been helping business owners cut through chaos and build businesses that create freedom, balance and profit.

She knows the struggle: trying to grow a business while juggling family, facing burnout, overwhelm and the constant tug-of-war between work and home. That’s why she built Chaos to Boss (ChaostoBoss.com)—to give entrepreneurs the clarity, systems, and confidence to build a business that supports the life they want.

“Grinding is only for coffee beans—your business should give you freedom, not take it away.”

She also helps business owners keep more of what they earn. With over a decade in payments, Lynette uncovers hidden costs in credit card processing—often saving companies thousands of dollars without chasing a single new customer.

“I help business owners stop grinding and start aligning—because success should feel good.”

Lynette’s mission is simple: to help you create financial freedom and time freedom—so your business fuels the life you want, not the other way around. Visit (ChaostoBoss.com) for more information.

Linked2Litarcy

Kathleen “Kat” Ousey is the Executive Director and co-founder of Linked2Literacy (Linked2Literacy.org), a Nebraska-based nonprofit with a bold vision: every child deserves access to books that spark joy, reflect their identity, and open doors to new worlds. Since launching in 2022, Linked2Literacy has distributed tens of thousands of books through programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Book Bridge family workshops, EMpowerME packs for children in foster care, Lit Link projects, mentor/mentee bundles for TeamMates Mentoring, and the annual community book swap festival WORDSTOCK.

Kat’s journey is personal. As a mom with two young children and a husband commuting long hours, she found refuge in books. Reading on the floor with her boys became a source of therapy, connection, and calm. From that experience grew her belief that every family deserves a home library filled with diverse voices and inclusive stories.

Linked2Literacy stands apart not only through its programs but also through its guiding values: intentional joy, purposeful representation, loving collaboration, and transformational learning.

These values ensure families and mentors are equipped with strategies that make reading both enjoyable and relational.

Kat is quick to point out that she does not do this work alone. “I have an incredible team that I get to collaborate with every day,” she says. “Their creativity and dedication bring our mission to life.” Together, they are building active communities empowered by literacy, one book at a time.

Learn more at (Linked2Literacy.org).

Hub Café

Hub Café (HubCafeLincoln.com), located along Lincoln’s bike trails in Union Plaza, is more than a restaurant; it’s a community hub that connects people to local food and the farmers, growers, and producers who make it possible. Since opening in 2016, the café has become known for its chef-driven, farm-to-table breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and its seasonal events like the weekly Hub Farmers Market, Hub & Soul summer concert series, and more. Every dish reflects a commitment to sustainability, creativity, and collaboration with Nebraska’s agricultural community.

Co-owner Crystal Bock Thiessen partners with her husband and Executive Chef, Jacob Thiessen, to continue to bring this vision to life. While Jacob leads the kitchen, Crystal manages the café’s back-end business operations, event coordination, social media, and community outreach. She is passionate about making Hub Café not only a place to eat good food but also a gathering spot where neighbors, farmers, and visitors can connect. From organizing special events at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center to fostering partnerships with local organizations, she focuses on strengthening Hub Café’s role as a welcoming, community-centered space that helps shape the city’s food culture with purpose and heart.

For more information, visit (HubCafeLincoln.com).

Marcie Young & Associates, LLC.

Marcie is an Investment Adviser Representative for Primerica Advisors and owner of Marcie Young & Associates, LLC (Primerica.com/MarcieYoung). With over four decades of valuable experience, she finds great fulfillment in helping people create workable solutions to their personal financial challenges. Marcie has been the only individual recognized in the top three of Lincoln Choice Awards Favorite Financial Advisor for 6 years in a row. And with no traditional advertising, Marcie has built her business and success through word of mouth.

In working with clients throughout Nebraska and the United States, Marcie infuses her farming background values of work ethic, caring and pragmatism into her relationships with her clients. Marcie and her team listen to your needs, provide financial literacy education first, then work to find personalized solutions. The game plans her clients receive are at no additional cost, and are delivered with attention to detail.

You can rely on Marcie to be accessible, to support you in your investment decisions and to be there to help you implement changes as they become necessary. Marcie has a team of advisors that will take care of your finances and investments for however long you need. With Primerica, a wide variety of investment solutions are available including Managed Investments, IRAs, College Savings plans, 529 Plans, Mutual Funds, Annuities, Individual 401(k) and Cash Balance Plans. Other offerings include term life insurance, Pre-Paid Legal Services, ID Theft Protection, Smart Home and Security.

Learn more at (Primerica.com/MarcieYoung) or contact Marcie at (LiveMore.net/MarcieYoung). Her office is located at 3701 O St., STE B-3, Lincoln, NE 68510. She can be reached at (402) 476-6778.

R U Nuts

R.U. Nuts Company (RUNutsCo.com) is a regional wholesale snack and candy company that was founded in the early 1980’s as a way to make some income while adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom. Our family worked together and worked hard in those early days, sacrificing holidays and vacations to keep the company going. In time we were able to hire help, but it has been a brick-by-brick building process for us. I may be “woman” owned, but my husband has always been 50/50 on board with me whether it is to finish a project, or carry the stresses and rewards that go with having a business.

We were much like a farm family, where our sons grew up working alongside us, because there was always work that had to be done. I really don’t think of our company as woman owned, because it has little to do with our success. We have a good team of people who work together to provide excellent service in delivering quality products that come from growers and manufacturers across the country.

Growing a business from an idea into a company is a huge learning curve, and new things are constantly happening. We have just developed a brand new trail mix, Spicy Mango Mix. It has a spicy kick of horseradish from the wasabi peas, spicy peanuts, pepitas, sunflower meats, and of course, mango for that bit of cool sweetness. We’ve added more packaging equipment and do a lot of custom mixing and custom labeling. Independent grocery stores and coffee shops are still our target market, but co-packing is an expanding piece of the company now as well.

As a mom, wife, mother and grandmother, I am grateful to my family and the many employees who have worked in the company over the years. Building a company wasn’t a journey that I planned for, but God had a plan, and I continue to trust Him for the future. Our products are available at Super Saver and Russ’s markets, or shop online at (RUNutsCo.com). We appreciate all the local support that Lincoln and the surrounding community provides.

Associates In Counseling & Treatment

Since taking over as owner and executive director in January 2020, Megan Leikam has played a pivotal role in Associates in Counseling & Treatment’s (ACTNebraska.org) growth and community impact. With licenses in alcohol and drug counseling, disordered gambling counseling and a certification as a domestic violence counselor, Megan leads by example—conducting evaluations, facilitating counseling sessions and advocating for mental health and substance use support in a compassionate and confidential manner. ACT offers a comprehensive range of services, including evaluations (substance use, mental health, gambling use, and co-occurring disorders), intensive outpatient treatment (morning and evening options), outpatient counseling, anger management, domestic violence classes and alcohol/DUI education courses.

The organization accepts various insurances and provides flexible scheduling, including virtual and in-person sessions. A sliding scale fee is available for underinsured or uninsured individuals. “Modern life presents many stresses that can affect people at any stage. Our therapists are here to support individuals and families with mental health, gambling, domestic violence, and substance abuse challenges,” said Megan.

To learn more about Associates In Counseling & Treatment, go online to (ACTNebraska.org) or contact (402) 261-6667/information@actnebraska.org.

 

Capital Care Staffing

Nursing is a critical field, and it’s important to find the right person for the job. Nurses are in high demand, and finding the right nurse for a facility can be difficult. Capital Care Staffing (CapitalCareStaffing.com) can help, specializing in placing healthcare personnel in hospitals, assisted living facilities and long-term care facilities.

Capital Care Staffing was founded by Samantha McAtee and is the top choice for nursing staffing agencies in Nebraska. Capital Care Staffing has a rigorous screening process that ensures it only places qualified nurses in facilities.

Capital Care Staffing is the solution for any healthcare staffing need because it values the following:

• A thorough employment process. Capital Care Staffing has a thorough recruitment and employment process to ensure that it provides only the best healthcare professionals and workers for its partners and their customers. The hiring process includes an extensive background check, license/certification quality check, education and skills assessment and overall professionalism.

• Competitive rates, keeping the community in mind. Capital Care Staffing provides a partnership at a competitive rate, utilizing local Nebraska healthcare professionals and workers at its forefront. Those who partner with Capital Care Staffing will be provided with highly-skilled healthcare professionals and workers at most importantly, a comfortable, affordable rate.

• Personal customer service and support. Capital Care Staffing provides unmatched customer service and support, ensuring its partners find the nurses and aides they need–when they need them.

• A quick and easy fulfillment process. Capital Care Staffing’s simple, three-step fulfillment process ensures that clients can quickly assemble the best healthcare team. Capital Care Staffing’s team is dedicated to making its clients’ jobs easier, so they can focus on what’s important–providing top-notch patient care.

Setting Capital Care Staffing apart from its competitors, it trains in areas for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, COVID testing, acute nursing, skilled care and more! Whether one needs fulfillment assistance daily, weekly or monthly, Capital Care Staffing can provide a solution for anyone’s staffing needs. Visit their website at (CapitalCareStaffing.com).

Willow Key Interiors

Natasha Lundy, owner of Willow Key Interiors (WillowKeyInteriors.com), started a new sister company earlier this year called The Modern Window – Smart Blind Design (ModernWindowNE.com)! Natasha has been working with window treatment design for 15 years and partnered with her long time Installer and motorized window treatment specialist Dan Denhardt. They offer Lincoln and surrounding residents a unique window treatment design experience with a focus on window treatment automation and motorization options!

“At the Modern Window, we take your home’s personal style as well as all of the functionality needs of light and privacy into account. We discuss your personal preferences regarding window treatments and motorization. We have a variety of price points; the ultimate goal is for your window treatments to be the perfect finishing touch to your home for both style and function. We can also set you up with a smart hub so you can control your window treatments with an app and set up different schedules for ultimate ease and luxury!”

The Modern Window is currently offering free in-home window treatment consultations with optional 3D renderings of potential window treatment options! If you mention this article, they will also offer you a free smart home hub with a minimum purchase of five window treatments through the end of 2025. Check out their website (ModernWindowNE.com) for project pictures and window treatment design inspiration!

Your support of women-owned businesses creates lasting positive impacts in our communities. These entrepreneurs break gender barriers, inspire future generations, and lead with vision and determination. According to the Harvard Kennedy School, “Female enterprises are more likely to create social impact through the businesses they create and operate.”

By supporting women-owned businesses, you help strengthen economic growth, empower communities, and foster purpose-driven progress. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future.

If you would like to be featured in our next women-owned business spotlight, call Paige at (402) 466-3330 or email Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com.