CALEB NICKERSON
CLARENDON Nov. 9, 2018
On Friday night, a group of local women gathered to encourage one another and support a worthy cause while also indulging in some fine food and fermented grape juice.
Organized by Holly Lalonde and Stéphanie Dumoulin of Hollywood Salon and Spa in Shawville, around a dozen locals braved the sloppy weather to attend.
“I organized this, kind of, just to let women in the area know that we support you,” Lalonde said, noting that the event was originally for female entrepreneurs, but she expanded it to all women.

“Everyone is hard-working, regardless of if it’s running a business or being a mom,” she said.
There were several guest speakers who detailed their journeys both personally and professionally, as well as plenty of door prizes donated by local businesses.
Proceeds from the event went towards Days for Girls, a non-profit organization that supplies sustainable menstrual products to women in developing countries.
The first speaker was none other than Little Red Wagon Winery owner Jennifer Dale, who shared details about starting the business from the ground up. In addition to a production facility and dining area, the winery serves as a studio and gallery for her artwork, which she said is a nice way to “roll everything together.”
“What gets you through is just being really stubborn,” she said, relating some of the difficulties she faced, from stringent government regulations to writing and re-writing grant applications. She encouraged attendees to believe in themselves and stick it out through the tough times.