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GRAND HAVEN — More than 33 years ago, Sharon Boehm moved to Grand Haven after marrying her husband, Howard. For the next eight years, she worked on her family’s blueberry farm, but she realized at her previous job that she missed having one-on-one conversations with her customers.
Sharon applied for a part-time job at Bose Shoes and Accessories in downtown Grand Haven, but wasn’t really interested in the pay. She was more concerned about discounts on her shoes.
Ten years ago, Boehm acquired Bols, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary. She and her partner in business Kathy Tabergen operate the Grand Her Haven and Dutch stores.
Boehm said Bol’s is one of the few remaining sit-down shoe stores in the country and offers a “great atmosphere” and “professional customer service and quality brands.”
“A woman came in a few years ago and she had plantar fasciitis. She was going to a foot doctor and told me about her foot problems. ‘Here’s what we have to do… we have to make sure you have good shoes and don’t go barefoot in the house,’ said Sharon. ‘Two… A month later she came back and said it was gone. She said she was very grateful.”
One of the challenges of owning a store along the lakefront is helping people understand that Grand Haven is a year-round town, not a seasonal one, she said.
“I love tourists, don’t get me wrong. We have tourists who come every year,” Boehm said. “I’ve watched their kids grow up and now they’re bringing their grandchildren. I love doing that. But what keeps me in business is local… Thanks to the people of
In light of Women’s History Month, Boehm said she loves other female business owners in the Grand Haven community. Studio 206 owner Valerie Grant is Boehm’s mentor and inspiration.
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However, not all executives were initially looking forward to group meetings.
“They didn’t know anyone and felt like they weren’t going to sit there and interact much,” Boehm said. “A year later, they said, ‘Now I have 25 new friends.’ That’s what being a woman in business means: supporting and encouraging each other.”
Boehm said one of her proudest moments as a woman in business was becoming the first female chair of the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority.
She said being a female business owner is “an honor.”
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