Women business leaders have shaped Naperville for over a century. From Kitty Martin at Martin and Von Oven Brick and Tile Works to Diane Benck of West Side Tractor, Naperville women have guided their family businesses to success. Naperville businesswomen often find ways to impact their professions beyond their companies. Benck became the first female chair and the first John Deere retailer in the 100-year history of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) in 2018. Other Naperville women found success by founding their own companies. Bev Frier was awarded the 2011 Naperville Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to the Naperville business community, stewardship, and economic leadership. She founded Fabric Inn in 1966 and Bev Patterson Piano & Organ Co. a year later. In 1999, Frier led an effort to build the Omnia Performing Arts & Cultural Center in downtown Naperville, focused on revitalizing the north side of Naperville's rundown train station.  Local businesswoman Shital Daftari built Saris and Things in 2011. It quickly became the biggest Indian fashion site in the US. She is also one of the founders of the Women’s Empowerment Campaign (WE), an organization aimed at creating the largest networking and empowerment platform for Indian women in Chicagoland.