Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas, owner of Janjou Patisserie in Boise, discusses the outlook for small businesses and overall economic growth during a press conference on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, Friday, March 29, 2024.
Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas, owner of Janjou Patisserie in Boise, discusses the outlook for small businesses and overall economic growth during a press conference on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, Friday, March 29, 2024.
Putting women in the kitchen is not always a put down. On Friday, March 29, local pastry chef and owner of Janjou Patisserie dusted off her floured hands to get some well-deserved recognition on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas is a shining example of the growing rate of women-owned businesses, which are far surpassing their male counterparts. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, between 2019 and 2023, the growth rate of women-owned businesses was 94% greater than the growth of men-owned businesses.
Zions Bank economist Robert Spendlove held a press conference at Janjou to celebrate Mizrachi-Gabbitas's success and to illustrate small business growth in Idaho. "Ninety-nine percent of businesses in Idaho are small businesses," Spendlove said. "They really are the lifeblood of our community … they are the heart of our community. If you don't believe it, just (look) around at the long lines of people waiting for a croissant."
Spendlove said women own 47% of small businesses in Idaho and that number will grow along with the state's population, which is projected to grow to 2.2 million over the next few years, "more than double the rate of the U.S. population," he said.
Upon hearing how many fellow women entrepreneurs there are, Mizrachi-Gabbitas raised her arms in a fist pump and cheered: "Way to go, women!" She ran through a litany of thank-yous that garnered a round of applause. "Thank you to Boise, to my customers, to my employees, past and present. And to Zions Bank who believed in me."
When asked what has been her biggest challenge as a small business owner, Mizrachi-Gabbitas said keeping employees, especially during and right after COVID. "It was very, very hard to find new talent. But now it's good," she said, smiling. Mizrachi-Gabbitas said her favorite bakery item to make is "the croissants. We use French butter and our technique is traditional — and it shows." She said her favorite dessert in the bakery is "Chocolate Flan. I can never say no to that."
