Megan Forness
- Helana Shumway
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Building Communities Of Women Entrepreneurs.
One collective at a time.
Megan Forness is in the pursuit of empowerment.As an entrepreneur in Buffalo, she owns five businesses that focus on creating safe spaces for female business owners: Barretend, the Hiraeth House, Harbor House, Valvaere Collective, and She Gathers. Three of her businesses follow a collective model, where vendors are highly valued and have the opportunity to achieve success in a supportive work environment.
Each business in the Buffalo area offers something a bit different, but above all, there is a common thread that weaves them together – they exist to uplift and empower female business owners and women in the community.
A Space for Everyone
Megan’s journey as an entrepreneur began in 2018 when she opened Barretend, a barre and yoga studio welcoming students and practitioners of all levels. Her father had passed away in 2017, and his stunning brick house held a special place in her heart. The Hiraeth House was the perfect space for Barretend to land, but as a new business owner, she craved the opportunity to connect with other women entrepreneurs. Megan quickly realized that the Hiraeth House was meant to be the home for her fellow business owners, and from there, her first collective took root.
Located at 501 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, the Hiraeth House is now home to nine businesses, and there is room to grow. Current gems include The Knotted Fox (hello, hand-picked vintage rugs!) and Buffalo Skincare Therapy, a skincare and acne clinic. Megan describes the house as having a unique energy and charm. On Thursdays, the common area is often bustling with women on their shared work day, and the creativity knows no bounds. Additionally, the house is the ideal destination for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, craft nights, and more.
Shortly after the Hiraeth House took off, Megan opened Harbor House – a stunning event venue in North Tonawanda. Harbor House can accommodate up to 100 people and is a sought-after spot for micro-weddings, showers, and celebrations. With its idyllic waterfront views and a large patio, this venue is a mini getaway on the river.
Building the Collective
Following the success of these three businesses, Megan opened Valvaere Collective in 2024. She describes the collective as a “wellness-focused space” currently home to 12 women-owned businesses. At 2929 Main Street, Valvaere Collective features businesses like Latitude Movement, which offers services like stretch therapy and cupping, and Naked Up North – a soy candle apothecary. Visitors can also grab a delicious cup of coffee at Seven Hearts Coffee Co., where there is often a line out the door.
Valvaere Collective is also a donation drop-off location for the Glam Pantry, a non-profit that collects beauty items like cosmetics and personal care products for community members who cannot afford them. Look for the Blush Bin to “donate glam and deliver confidence.”
Megan’s latest business endeavor, She Gathers, is an indoor artisan and vendor market located at 38 Webster Street in North Tonawanda. She Gathers opened in July 2025 and has welcomed 20 vendors so far. Unlike the Hiraeth House and Valvaere Collective, She Gathers is an open layout divided into half-wall storefronts for each small business, and there is one central register for all visitors.
Megan shares that this collective caters to women business owners who might also be balancing a job or are stay-at-home parents. The space also boasts a beautiful bar where visitors can grab a glass of wine or cup of tea, and there are even coloring books!
She Gathers hosts events including “Self-care Sundays,” cookie painting parties, and even a pop-up for Taylor Swift’s recent album release. It is a wonderful place to host a workshop or party, and the space encourages community engagement.
Photography by: Andrea Costrino & Co and Featured Media
learning, growing, loving
As an entrepreneur with five flourishing businesses in the Buffalo area, it is safe to say that Megan Forness is busy. Between her three collectives, she has created space for 40 women-owned businesses. That’s 40 female entrepreneurs who are their own bosses, and Megan is there to cheer them on every step of the journey. “I think we’re all learning from each other,” she says.
Megan finds inspiration in each of her vendors and is determined to continue making spaces where women feel valued, heard, and seen. Above all, she focuses on ensuring each of her vendors is treated equally and with respect.
Creating safe spaces also means providing room for vulnerability. One of Megan’s mentors and inspirations is the well-known public speaker and academic, Brené Brown, who reminds us all that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Being vulnerable can look like giving help, but it also looks like asking for it. It means growing and learning every day, acknowledging that no two businesses are the same and their needs may be vastly different from one another.
“You get knocked down every day as a business owner,” Megan admits. But it’s the getting back up and continuing forward that she has also come to master.
In addition to Brené Brown, her community of 40 women business owners are also her inspiration, and she loves brainstorming new ideas or coming up with solutions to challenges. “Everything is figure-out-able,” Megan says. “I really encourage tenants to come to me with issues, but also solutions. I love figuring out and reworking things together.” Sometimes, this looks like having hard conversations and working through challenges. One non-negotiable for her is ensuring that those challenges are met directly and worked through to ensure team morale remains high.
The Hiraeth House, Valvaere Collective, and She Gathers are collaborative spaces that encourage creativity and empower each vendor to shape their passions into successful businesses. “To me, the biggest reward is seeing these business owners in action,” Megan says.
With no plans of slowing down, she is thrilled to see her team of women entrepreneurs thriving – some of whom might even grow out of the collective as they garner success. In such cases, Megan is their most dedicated cheerleader.
Interestingly enough, Megan’s father also owned five businesses. Through her constant hard work and professional growth as an entrepreneur, she loves when people share that they see her dad in her.
She is also deeply devoted to her two children – ages 21 and 19 – and her sweet Rottweiler, Camilla. Megan describes the joy of raising her children and watching them “do their thing” as they start the next chapters in life, reflecting that it’s “a really cool place to be.”
With love for her past, appreciation for her present, and drive for her future, Megan Forness excels at uplifting women in business and welcomes the excitement of possibility. She defines what a safe, brave, and fully empowered space looks like in the Buffalo community.
Experience these empowering spaces for yourself!
hiraeth house: 501 delaware ave, buffalo
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valvaere collective: 2929 MAIN ST., BUFFALO
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