Why Laine Scholz Created Women Entrepeneurs in Food and Beverage

Laine Scholz is no stranger to entrepreneurship. The second-generation owner of Garbo’s Pizzeria grew up in the food and beverage industry. As an adult, though, she struggled to find others like her in networking settings. “I wanted a way to connect with women who do what I do,” Scholz says. “I learned, through assorted local organizations, that there are fewer female business owners and a lower percentage of women who own restaurants and bars. Because there’s a minority there, I thought it would be good to have strength in numbers.”

With that idea in mind, Scholz launched Women Entrepreneurs in Food and Beverage (WeFab) as a method of support for female owners or partners in the industry.

The group has no dues, and Scholz kicked things off by sending out a poll asking what people wanted the group to look like. Although the group is still small, Scholz says she has already found a network of people she can turn to if she has a question.

Scholz is looking to the future: considering making the currently private Facebook group public-facing, or nominating members to be selected for learning opportunities or industry events. “We’ve just become a network of women supporting each other,” Scholz says. “Plus, if I’m thinking of where to go out to eat personally, I have people that I think of.” The possibilities for growth are many, but Scholz points out the group doesn’t plan to become a nonprofit, just a professional group.