Women's Resource Center sees number of female entrepreneurs on the rise; GROW helps mentor them

Local middle-aged women are increasingly starting up their own businesses with help from the Women's Resource Center, says its executive director Sharon Caldwell-Newton. Mentoring, classes and other resources are also available from the Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW).

According to excerpts from the story:

"The increase is directly tied to the downsizing of the economy," Caldwell-Newton said. "These are women who were in management and have worked for 15 to 20 years, but who have lost their jobs.

"Women often come to us a bit shell-shocked. They are grieving a loss in their lives, whether it's a job, a divorce, a death. But when they can get past that initial shock of life falling apart, many women have taken this as an opportunity for reinvention."

Read the complete story here.