Leading ladies

Women entrepreneurs power the success of Verde at Cooley Station in Gilbert

Verde at Cooley Station in Gilbert is not just another mixed-use center, it’s a prime example of visionary development. Part-owned by commercial veterans Norm Brody and Jerry Slusky, this property was once part of a 100-acre undeveloped farm, surrounded by dense residential developments on all sides. The owners saw a unique opportunity to create something special and developed the 23 acres on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Recker into a unique, walkable mixed-use center that supports local businesses with a particular emphasis on women-owned businesses.

“At Verde, we wanted to support and encourage women-owned businesses because it was a way to promote diversity and inclusion, support for the local economy and to close the gender gap in retail,” says Brody and Slusky. “They offer unique, one-of-a-kind goods and services in their businesses. Their personal investment translates into better attention to detail, customer service and professionalism. These are things missing in many retail operations.”

With at least 11 women-owned businesses already on board and more on the way, Verde is a model for inclusive economic development. Here are the women-owned businesses and their owners who are driving Verde at Cooley Station:

• Skinfinity: Shannon Vail and Angelynv Wolforth

• Decadent Macaron: Stephanie Wagner

• Parlour One: Becky Miller

• We Whiten: Halie Parke and Whitney Holland

• Pixie Sticks: Jodalee Tevault

• Brass Tap: Karen Herfel

• K3: Karla Romero

• Sip & Shop: Tiffany Shultz

• Sophie May Boutique: Erika Hilligas

• Optika Eyecare: Dr. Milita Petrauskaite

• OHM Fitness: Becky Renner, Alexis Krisay and Melissa DiGianfilippo

FITTING IN: Alexis Krisay, Becky Renner and Melissa DiGianfilippo purchased the OHM Fitness rights to the Arizona territory in July 2022.

A CUT ABOVE: Becky Miller is the owner of Parlour One.

SKIN IN

The

GAME: Angelyn Wolforth and Shannon Vail are the owners of Skinfinity.

IN FASHION: Erika Hilligas is the owner of Sophie May Boutique.