Talking with Thalia: Women-Run Businesses

March marks Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across all industries. This week, Thalia Hayden turned the spotlight on women in business, highlighting the powerful role female entrepreneurs play in shaping the Coachella Valley’s local economy.

Joining the conversation was Linda Granillo, owner of BeatieSocial, a business centered around cosmetics and skincare. Her mission goes beyond beauty—she’s passionate about uplifting fellow women entrepreneurs and creating opportunities for them to shine. Every year, she brings together more than 30 local, women-owned businesses. Held at The River in Rancho Mirage, the event offers a vibrant marketplace featuring vendors, free makeup services, and a strong sense of community. It also includes family-friendly elements, with the YMCA providing resources and activities for children—acknowledging the unique challenges many women face while balancing business ownership and motherhood.

Granillo credits her entrepreneurial spirit in part to her father, and resources like the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center are making a significant impact. Since 2006, the organization has helped launch and support more than 350 women-owned businesses by providing guidance on everything from ideation to execution.

The numbers reflect a larger trend: women now own approximately 40% of businesses across the United States, according to a recent Wells Fargo report. That number has seen significant growth in recent years, signaling a shift toward greater representation and empowerment.

As Hayden noted, supporting women-owned businesses is about more than commerce—it’s about honoring the past, empowering the present, and inspiring the future.

This Saturday, the community is encouraged to visit The River in Rancho Mirage starting at 4 p.m. to shop, connect, and celebrate the incredible women driving local innovation and success.