There are so many unsung female heroes in the world of business. Everyday there are women fighting, working, and pushing to achieve success for their business. Starting a business is such a personal endeavor. Businesses become like family members. You nurture them, care for them a day in and day out and hopefully watch them grow. All of these women have done just that and done it well. They are each proud of their accomplishments and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Census, “The number of Women-Owned Employer Firms Increased 0.6% from 2017 to 2018.” That number is continuing to trend up! Seeing more and more women enter into business ownership is something Strictly Business wholeheartedly wants to continue 
Sherri Tafoya founded of Custom Blinds & Design (customblindsdesign.com) 24 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 their team and their 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 19 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 will be celebrating 25 years in business in 2025 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.
At Yellow Brick Road (ybrecdc.org), being a woman-owned business is a source of immense pride. This early childhood development center was built with a vision to nurture not only children but also the dreams of families. From our humble beginnings in a church, we’ve grown into a community that thrives on the same core values that we hold dear: collaboration, communication, innovation, nurturing, positivity, and fun!
Running a woman-owned business in today’s world comes with its unique challenges, but it also opens up opportunities for breaking barriers and setting new standards. We’ve surrounded ourselves with a passionate team of people, many of whom are also mothers, educators, and leaders in their own right. Together, we prioritize a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard, and innovation thrives.
Our company’s mission—to put good humans into the world, and leave it better than we found it—bleeds over into the lives of our staff, families, and friends as work to create a daily habit and lifestyle of leaving things better. We champion the balance of career and family, recognizing that nurturing children begins with supporting the adults who love and guide them.
Being a woman business owner means creating spaces where both children and women can flourish, and at Yellow Brick Road, that vision is realized every day.
Since its founding by Abby McLeay in 2017, Zen Coffee Company (zencoffeecompany.com) has been a beloved Omaha coffee shop. Abby has always loved coffee and the fast-paced atmosphere of working in the industry. She started her undergrad journey in counseling but quickly fell in love with the idea of owning her own business, so she changed her path to an MBA. Luckily for her employees, her initial education has contributed to her relationships with teammates and customers, bringing compassion to her work.
After discovering an amazing roaster in Cannon Beach, Oregon, Abby knew she had to bring the “zen” back to Omaha. “We had a goal to create an inclusive and positive work environment while also merging the traditional specialty type shop with what Omaha has grown to love–all the flavorful concoctions and fancy beverages,” said Abby.
The motivation behind Zen is the people as Zen supports nonprofits continuously within their business model. It prioritizes giving back to the community by working with several local nonprofits monthly. By switching up who it work with, its reach goes far, and more people get exposure to different organizations.
Visit Zen Coffee Company to try its nationally-viral Coffee and Toast flights, over 40 drink options and its full pastry and toast menus. It has two walk-in locations in Omaha, one at 133rd and Center and one at 25th and Farnam, and a drive through is located next to Trader Joes. Zen Coffee Company just recently opened a huge walk-in location in Lincoln on 13th and O! Be sure to check out the new location for good vibes and great coffee! Visit zencoffeecompany.com for more information.
Established in 2015 by Sandra Miller, CEO, Key Home Care (keyhomecare.us) has become a trusted provider of compassionate non-medical home care services. With a background in social work and extensive experience as an Admissions and Social Work Director in local skilled nursing facilities, Sandra Miller brings unique expertise and dedication to the needs of seniors and individuals seeking home-based care.
Key Home Care has proudly served the community for the past nine years, operating as an independent business and not part of any franchised organization. This distinction is important as we are not to be confused with a nationwide franchise that has recently adopted a similar name.
Our mission is to enable individuals of all ages and abilities to live comfortably and safely in their homes. Our dedicated team provides exceptional care seven days a week, offering a wide range of services including personal care, memory care support, hospice support, light housekeeping, meal preparation, pet care, grocery shopping, transportation and companionship.
Two years ago, we launched Trusted Life Choices, a program designed to provide specialized services for Medicaid Waiver clients. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our community and enhancing the quality of life for those we serve.
What truly sets Key Home Care apart is our commitment to our staff. We believe that treating our employees with compassion and respect translates directly into the quality of care they provide for our clients.
Sandra Miller reflects on the past decade with pride and looks forward to a bright future, continuing to build on the strong foundation of trust and care established by Key Home Care.
For more information, please visit us at keyhomecare.us or trustedlifechoicesllc.com.
Kimmylea Konsel-Taylor established LimeLight Expressions (LimeLightExpressions.com) in 2007 with the intent of providing unparalleled service to corporate and private clients alike. With over 20 years of experience in the event planning industry, she has created a business model that is more unique than most. Kimmylea and the LimeLight team prioritize building relationships with clients and establishing trust through consistent communication. From multimillion-dollar international events to local events, LimeLight Expressions’ staff takes pride in guiding their clients through the entire design and production process so they can be confident the day of the event.
“We truly enjoy the process of taking our clients’ vision and creating an atmosphere that surpasses their expectations and impresses all those in attendance. To us, it is about making the entire occasion an incredible experience that places our client in the LimeLight,” said Kimmylea.
LimeLight Expressions is family owned and operated with over 24 awards in the industry and recently recognized for their efforts in USA Today. To learn more, go online to LimeLightExpressions.com or contact (402) 915-3534 / info@LimeLightExpressions.com.