Women’s History Month: Celebrating Frisco’s Female Owned Businesses

March is Women’s History Month! To celebrate, we wanted to honor of the women in our own community that are paving the way for women. These local leaders are creating successful businesses and making history right now in Frisco! Meet two of our small business entrepreneurs: Karen White, owner of Oasis Accents and Natalie Espinal, founder of 192 Candle Company.

Karen White, Oasis Home Accents

• Website: www.oasisaccents.com
• Instagram: oasis_accents
• Facebook: oasishomeaccents

Tell us about your business

At Oasis Accents, we create a home decor boutique that specializes in unique art. For example, we offer specialty items from canvas to custom. In addition, we sell decorative accessories including sculptures, permanent botanicals, and gifts. The store also showcases original artwork from local artists.

As an interior-design enthusiast, I have always loved finding beautiful accessories to decorate my home.

Karen White

What inspired you to start your business?

My idea of the perfect shopping excursion is locating niche boutiques and looking for unique, quality pieces that are timeless. After the market downturn in 2008, I was frustrated by the unavailability of small retail outlets in Frisco specializing in home décor. When I went into big-box home stores, I dreaded walking up and down the aisles looking at rack after rack of the same products. I craved the intimate feel of a cozy boutique with one-of-a-kind items. Turning my frustration into action, I developed and executed my own vision of the perfect home accessory retail store. Oasis Accents opened on March 10, 2017 and just celebrated its 4th anniversary.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in your business?

My biggest challenge has been increasing customer awareness of the retail store and our offerings. My second biggest challenge is scaling my online store to reach customers throughout the United States.

Share the love! Who is another woman or moment in women’s history that has encouraged you?

Crystal Gornto, the creator of Heartstories, is a trailblazer in bringing women together. Prior to the pandemic, Crystal hosted the highly anticipated Girls Night Out (GNO) in the Frisco area, the first Thursday of the month. Over the last year, she has pivoted to online GNOs, but with the same goal: to inspire joy and pursue your purpose.

Natalie Espinal

• Website: www.192Candleco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/192candlecompany
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TXscentsyoulove

Tell us about your business

Life threw a few curveballs my way and I embraced it by converting a hobby into a registered trademarked small business and love what I do every day. When I initially converted my hobby into a business, I was just doing candles. As time progressed, I was able to expand and incorporate Bath and Body Products, and Home Décor. Our products are cruelty-free, paraben free, vegan, phthalate free and sulfate free.

We offer a variety of custom-made candles, sugar scrubs, body butter, body lotion, lip balms, bath bombs, reed diffusers, linen sprays, artisan soaps made from scratch here in the comfort of my own home and linen sprays. We love working with the community and spreading love and light.

What inspired you to start your business? 

The day my youngest was diagnosed with Autism…I knew that a 9-5 was unrealistic due to the level of dedication, patience and strength needed so I then trademarked my small business and in addition, expand and add more products…and still doing so.

No day is ever the same, but if you love and want to succeed, you will not stop!

Natalie Espinal

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in your business? 

BALANCE. Every day. As a mom raising a child with Autism, many things come into play daily and with that, comes balance. No day is ever the same, but if you love and want to succeed, you will not stop! You will find that balance.

Share the love! Who is another woman or moment in women’s history that has encouraged you?

Ingrid Fitzgerald from The Picket Fence

To honor these women (and because every month should be International Women’s History Month!), we will be featuring these women and many more on our social media accounts this Spring.

If you know a woman who is raking risks and making history right now, we would love to hear about it in the comments below.