On October 8th, we pause to honor not just the owner of Unique Lighting and Home Decor, but the vision, resilience, and heart that Kellie Gribben brings to her craft — and to the wider community of women in business.

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A Bright Light in the Lighting World

Kellie didn’t simply open a lighting showroom; she built a space that reflects her values: warmth, creativity, and empowerment. Under her guidance, Unique Lighting and Home Decor has become more than a store — it’s a place where clients feel heard, design ideas take shape, and craftsmanship matters.

She leads with intention, understanding that every fixture tells a story, and that lighting has the power to transform not only rooms—but experiences.

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The Bigger Picture: Women Shaping Business in America

Kellie’s journey is part of a larger wave of entrepreneurship led by women. Here are a few illuminating stats that show how far female business leadership has come — and the challenges still ahead:

• Women now own about 14 million businesses, making up roughly 39.1 % of all U.S. firms. Forbes+3Barbara Weltman+3WEI+3
• These women-owned businesses generate more than $2.7 trillion in annual revenue and employ over 12 million people. WEI+3Barbara Weltman+3Forbes+3
• Among businesses without paid employees (nonemployer firms), women own 42.7 % (some 12.7 million businesses) as of recent Census data. Census.gov
• While women-owned enterprises are growing in number, they still face gaps in scale: though they represent ~39 % of all firms, they account for a smaller portion of total employment and revenue. WEI+2Fed Small Business+2
• Growth is accelerating: in 2024, women started approximately 49 % of all new businesses, up from ~29 % in 2019 — a massive rise in entrepreneurial momentum. Gusto+2Gusto+2
• Among women-owned businesses, women of color are a major driving force: Black or African American women, for example, lead ~2 million businesses (about 14 % of all women-owned businesses), with revenue growth in recent years exceeding 80 %. Wells Fargo Small Business Center
• Education is a strength: 86 % of women business owners hold a post-secondary degree (i.e. an associate, bachelor’s, or higher). Guidant

These numbers show two things clearly: one, that women are integral to the U.S. small business landscape, and two, that while progress is real, there’s still work to be done to close gaps of scale, access, and equity.

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Kellie’s Impact — And Why It Matters

In a world where women-owned small businesses often juggle limited capital, barriers to expansion, and systemic biases, Kellie stands out not only for her success but for her resolve. She is part of the 10–13 % of women entrepreneurs who do plan to expand their businesses in a given year — a bold move in the face of challenges. NerdWallet+1

Her commitment to quality, personal service, and design excellence shows that small businesses led by women don’t have to compromise. Each project at Unique Lighting is a reflection of her belief that a woman’s vision in business can light not only homes, but communities.

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Birthday Cheers & A Call to Shine

To Kellie: your birthday is a reminder that leadership grounded in authenticity, passion, and courage can ripple outward in ways no one can predict. We’re grateful for your light — in fixtures, in relationships, and in the example you set for future women business owners.

✨ Happy Birthday, Kellie! May your day be as bright as the stories you help homes tell.