Featured Member: WREN
Featured member, WREN, has been one of the most enduring and quietly transformative forces in New Hampshire’s North Country since its founding in 1994. Known formally as the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network, WREN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 2011 Main Street in Bethlehem, NH, and its mission has remained consistent for more than three decades: supporting better lives and livelihoods through education, economic development, and community engagement.
A Network Born from Rural Need
WREN was founded in 1994 by a group of rural women who recognized a gap in resources for people trying to build sustainable livelihoods in the North Country. From the beginning, the organization focused on the practical realities of small business ownership in a rural region, offering entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and access to markets that many independent makers and business owners simply could not reach on their own. Over the years, WREN’s work has touched thousands of people across New Hampshire’s North Country, and the organization has grown into a nationally recognized model for rural economic and community development.
While WREN’s roots are in women’s entrepreneurship, the organization is quick to emphasize that it is open to everyone. Artists, makers, senior community members, young people, small business owners, and curious neighbors are all part of the WREN community today.
Entrepreneurial Support and Small Business Resources
At the core of WREN’s work is its commitment to helping entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. The organization offers one-on-one coaching and mentoring, affinity groups, and small business summits designed to help North Country business owners grow and thrive. WREN also administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the NH Community Development Finance Authority, which provides funding for technical assistance and training to low-to-moderate income individuals who own or are looking to start a small business. The program has helped thousands of entrepreneurs over the years, and WREN is proud to be one of its administrators in the region.
Whether someone is just starting out or looking to scale an existing venture, WREN’s entrepreneurial programs are designed to meet them where they are.
The Gallery and Local Works Marketplace
One of WREN’s most visible contributions to Bethlehem and the wider North Country is its retail presence on Main Street. The Local Works Marketplace at WREN features handcrafted goods from more than 120 local artists and makers, giving creative entrepreneurs a physical market for their work in a region where such opportunities can be hard to find. Shopping at WREN directly supports the livelihoods of real people in the community.
The Gallery at WREN sets the standard for fine art in the North Country, hosting rotating exhibitions throughout the year and offering emerging and established artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in a dedicated gallery space. The Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. Artists interested in exhibiting can apply through WREN’s open call for entries, which is managed online through EntryThingy.
Community Programs for All Ages
WREN’s reach extends well beyond business development. The WRENegades program, originally organized in 2012, brings together seniors for free monthly activities including field trips, workshops, walking groups, and social events designed to build connection and counter social isolation in the North Country. The program was revitalized in 2024 and now runs a robust year-round schedule of events, with a Thursday morning walking group meeting weekly at 9:30 am in the parking lot behind WREN.
For younger community members, WREN’s Wings program provides enriching and empowering creative activities for North Country youth. The intergenerational nature of WREN is perhaps best illustrated by the organization’s own staff: Executive Director Julia B. Webb is a North Country native and second-generation WREN member, having grown up in a family connected to the organization since its early years.
Three Decades of Impact on Bethlehem’s Main Street
WREN has played a significant role in the revitalization of Bethlehem’s Main Street, helping to transform what was once a struggling downtown corridor into a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike. The organization participates in community events including Summerfest and Christmas in Bethlehem, and partners with regional organizations including the NH Small Business Administration, the White Mountain School, and the NH Charitable Foundation’s Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund.
As WREN marks more than 30 years of service to the North Country, it continues to grow. Ongoing store and gallery renovations supported by a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission will expand WREN’s capacity to offer creative, cultural, and entrepreneurial opportunities to the community for years to come.
To learn more, become a member, shop the online store, or apply to exhibit in the gallery, visit wrenworks.org or stop by 2011 Main Street in Bethlehem. You can also reach the team at hello@wrenworks.org or by calling 603-869-9736.
