It’s our goal with Fearless this year to get out across the state and meet folks who are working to empower Iowa women. We know there are so many who are passionate about women’s and gender issues, and we want to meet you and tell your stories.

While in the Quad Cities meeting women leaders for Fearless, we stopped by Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie. Owner Tiphanie Cannon talked with Emily Kestel and me about advice for other women business owners. The store will have been open for eight years coming up in June and Cannon operated out of her home for three years before that.

She was often told the age-old adage “fake it until you make it,” and it’s always helped her.

“Is that bad?” she said with a laugh. But it’s the truth, she said. And her business has empowered her in all other areas of life. “The only thing holding you back is yourself.”

As far as business growth, she said how big or how small you want your business to be is completely on the business owner. Anything from making a bigger lunch menu to deciding to offer soup or deciding you’ve outgrown your space is all within your court as an entrepreneur. “It’s all up to me” at the end of the day, she said.  

Thanks for having us, Tiphanie!