Club Hears Local Women Entrepreneurs Share Advice

Students from the CVU Women and Business Club met female business owners at a Church Street panel and toured downtown shops.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Local Services

Screen-print poster illustration of a folded canvas tote bag on a sunlit bench before brick storefronts, in mustard, teal, and rust. — Students from Champlain Valley Union's Women and Business Club met local female business owners on Church Street on Friday, then joined a downtown scavenger hunt. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The CVU Women and Business Club held a panel on Church Street featuring women behind Harbour Thread, Fortitude, and Saratoga Olive Oil. Students then joined a scavenger hunt exploring other downtown businesses.

Why it matters

The panel gave students direct exposure to local female entrepreneurs and highlighted the value of planning for the future early. For Burlington residents, the event showcased the variety of independent businesses on Church Street.

The panel featured the owners of Harbour Thread, Fortitude, and Saratoga Olive Oil on Church Street on Friday. The event included a visit to Harbour Thread, where the club spoke with owner Llyndara Harbour, followed by the scavenger hunt.

The players

CVU Women and Business Club

A student club at Champlain Valley Union High School focused on women in business and entrepreneurship.

Llyndara Harbour

Owner of Harbour Thread, a Church Street business whose shop the club visited as part of the day's activities.

The details

Club co-leaders Chapin Grubbs and Emma Cote organized the Friday visit. The day began at Harbour Thread, where students spoke with owner Llyndara Harbour before the panel and then took part in a scavenger hunt through downtown businesses.

Friday: Women and Business Club panel and scavenger hunt held on Church Street.

Local Business Ecosystem

Church Street's independent shops form the core of Burlington's downtown retail identity, and this event connected young people directly to the owners behind several of them. The panel's emphasis on early planning reflects how local entrepreneurs often build their businesses within a dense, walkable downtown.

Residents who want to support independent Church Street shops can visit Harbour Thread, Fortitude, and Saratoga Olive Oil during regular business hours. The event shows how downtown businesses are open to student engagement and community exploration.

The takeaway

Starting to think about your future early and connecting with local business owners can open doors, and downtown shops like those on Church Street are a practical place to start. Visiting independent businesses also helps keep Burlington's retail corridor active.