Woman Business Owner of 2018 - Iowa Business Journal
Woman Business Owner of 2018
"Where on earth can I find giant scissors that really cut?" asked Kimberly Baeth, while working for a chamber of commerce that regularly celebrated ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Oversized functional scissors seemed simple enough, but it turned out to be a unique novelty at the time. Baeth drew a pattern, put it into production, and her idea resulted in a successful new business. Golden Openings, Inc. started in 1997.
It specializes in grand openings, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and special events and offers more than 10,000 products, including very large ribbons, bows, keys to the city, keepsakes, and of course, scissors.
The company ships hundreds of packages daily, and it is growing at an average rate of 34 percent each year.
More than 8,000 chambers now own a pair of Baeth's giant scissors, which is one reason why she was named the 2018 Iowa Woman Business Owner of the Year at the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Celebration of Excellence Awards Luncheon, held Nov. 8 at the Glen Oaks Country Club.
The award honors one Iowa woman business owner who has used creative initiatives to overcome obstacles, generate economic impact, and grow a successful and sustainable business while improving the community.
Also honored at the event were Barbara Crowley and Karen Taylor, winners of the NAWBO Iowa Hall of Fame Legacy Award and the Iowa Advocate of the Year Award, respectively.
Golden Openings is located at 2743 99th St., in Urbandale. Visit www.goldenopenings.com for more information.
