Eva Winters Johnson (1918–2004) was a trailblazing African American entrepreneur whose determination and vision helped shape the business landscape of Media, Pennsylvania. She launched her first venture with a single $25 truck, building it into a successful moving and storage company. From there, she expanded boldly into real estate—purchasing, renovating, and constructing properties throughout the community. Her portfolio grew to include a three‑story home at 496 Washington Avenue, the Winchester Apartments, multiple rental properties, and the transformation of her own residence at 219 Manchester Avenue into six rental units and a business office. She was also a community leader with the NAACP and Media Fellowship House. Eva was honored for her lifetime contributions to the community in the 1990s.
In a profile by Wuanda M. T. Walls titled “Working World/Essence Women,” Eva reflected on her journey, “'I didn’t have the least idea when I started this business that I would ever be where I am today – a millionaire or half millionaire.' admits Eva Winters, an entrepreneur in both the moving and storage and real estate businesses. 'But I knew that I would have to work hard to achieve my goals. It has not been easy.'”
In this article, we share the stores of six of Media’s Women-Owned Business Entrepreneurs.
Jane Hodson
janebakedit.com/cake
A major challenge she faced was finding direction and balance after the loss of her father in 2015. "It impacted me deeply and forced me to reflect on how short life truly is," shares Jane. Baking and event planning had always been her passions, and that moment pushed her to finally start her business. The journey wasn’t easy, "I struggled trying to figure out how to build a business from the ground up and balance work, life, and family. With the support of my family and friends, I learned to trust myself, stay focused on my goals, and grow through each challenge."
It's been incredibly rewarding for Jane to see the business become recognized not only for her baked goods, but also for her involvement in community events and service, "Watching my work bring joy, create connections, and contribute to my community reminds me why I started and why I keep going. I love seeing how something I created from passion can bring such happiness to others."
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Lisa Zahn
GlimmerGiftShop.com
Lisa started Glimmer as a small creative outlet when her dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. “Never would I have thought I’d be able to pursue my dream of owning a store.” That crisis became a turning point, but it was her daughters—and the future she wanted for them—that kept her moving forward. Her mom’s unwavering hope and positivity also shaped the journey. She always managed to see the “glimmer” in everything and encouraged Lisa to trust life’s nudges and timing.
Was she prepared? Lisa laughs, “Absolutely not! I definitely subscribe to a ‘build the plane as we fly it’ mentality. It’s important to just begin and learn along the way.” She’s constantly tinkering, improving, and trying new ideas. Lisa is humbled by the excitement and support from customers. For her, there’s no better compliment than someone walking into the shop for the first time and feeling thrilled to discover the perfect gift or try something new.
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Jennifer Eckell
facebook.com/LittlePeoplesConsignment
Jennifer has been dressing children for nearly 3 decades – her boutique has the cutest fashions for boys and girls plus toys, sports equipment books, games and so much more. “My parents really supported me in doing this, they believed in me.”
Jennifer was a teacher and loves interacting with children and making them smile. “I have a great time choosing what goes in the boutique.” She adds that she has been very fortunate throughout the years for her consigners and customers making her store the way it is. She loves the closeness to so many customers - making friends that are dear to her heart. “I get a lot of joy with meeting new people, their stories, and customers shopping for their children here and now for their grandchildren. The town of Media was always a special place for me. It has a special sparkle in the air. And that sparkle gets bigger as time goes on.”
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Donna Cusano
TerraDonnaGardens.com
Donna began as a solo-preneur, with a car trunk full of tools and a somewhat “crazy” ambition to build a new business where she could combine her artistic talents with her love for the natural world and regenerative land management. It worked. “We are attracting like-minded team members who want the same for themselves; creative opportunity and do the right thing for the planet.” Donna is noticing that the majority of their clients really want to cultivate long term relationships - wanting ongoing ecological and regenerative care for their gardens. “It’s worth the extra time and effort it takes to really dial into what a landscape needs to be truly healthy and for client satisfaction.”
For the last 6 years, Terra Donna has grown on average 20-25% each year. As more people wake up to the challenges of climate change and want to do the right thing for nature, Donna knows that their offerings will become increasingly popular and necessary.
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Laila & Aleena
(L-R) Aleena then Laila sunshinejewelryinc.com
One of the biggest challenges they faced was stepping into leadership while expanding their family business - balancing legacy with new ideas while navigating uncertainty and growth. Their parents came to this country from Cambodia with very little, building Sunshine Jewelry from the ground up after surviving immense hardship. "With that comes both responsibility and purpose to honor what they started." Mindset kept them going. Challenges are inevitable, but they believe how you think determines how you move - solution-oriented, grounded in purpose, and trusting that consistency compounds. "When in doubt, we remained anchored in continuing a story that began long before us."
They're seeing a beautiful shift toward heirloom redesign. Clients bring in pieces that hold meaning but no longer fit their style, "Helping them transform those into something they can wear every day has been incredibly rewarding. It’s more than design; it’s preserving stories while creating something new." As sisters continuing their family’s legacy, being part of that process feels deeply personal and fulfilling for the duo.
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Donna Billingsley
donnabillingsley.com
Donna is a professional photographer who feels fortunate to have lived and worked in the charming town of Media for the past 39 years. Her studio sits on a historic property, offering a naturally beautiful setting that provides a lovely background her work. Known for her artistic portraits and attention to detail, she strives to capture not only what is visible, but also the emotion behind each moment. Her sessions are relaxed, fun, and thoughtfully crafted. Using a variety of techniques, Donna creates images that resemble oil paintings, and she takes great pride in seeing her work displayed in her clients’ homes. Influenced by artists such as John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Andrew Wyeth, she continues to evolve creatively.
Donna shares, “There have been many changes in the photographic industry in my almost five-decade career but I embrace change - sometimes reluctantly.” She credits her intensive two‑year education at the Antonelli Institute of Photography for providing a foundation that has remained steady throughout her career.