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Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $10 Million in Annual Revenues Karen Clark Cole Blinx UX Seattle, WA Karen Clark Cole is co-founder and CEO of Seattle-based Blink UX, a user-experience research and digital product design firm with sales in 2015 of over $10 million. Blink was listed on the Women Presidents’ Organization’s 50 Fastest-Growing Women Led Companies Worldwide list in 2014 and won the Seattle Business Magazine’s Tech Impact Silver Award in 2015. Karen founded the non-profit Girls Can Do to encourage girls and young women to pursue their dreams and connect them with “next step” learning opportunities, and frequently hosts students to talk with employees and tour Blink’s state-of-the-art labs. Fran Dichner Aries Group, Inc. Beverly, MA Fran Dichner is owner, president, and CEO of Aries Group, Inc., a full-service engineering staffing firm in Beverly, MA, with sales of $10 million in 2015. Fran’s numerous accolades include the Girl’s, Inc. “Strong, Smart, Bold” award, the North Shore Women in Business’ Business Woman of the Year award, and a national Stevie Award for Community Service. She serves on the Beverly Corporator’s Board and WBENC’s National Women’s Business Board and supports numerous local charities, including the Beverly YMCA, Operation Troop Support, and The Women’s Fund of Essex County. Women in Transition Wealth management and legacy planning strategies for women who can benefit from professional guidance following a divorce, loss of a spouse, a change in employment, or retirement. Helping Your Goals Come To Life Call Your Enterprising Women partner, Kathie H. Okun at: 410-821-2920 Okun Financial Group, Inc. 4 North Park Drive, Suite 400 Hunt Valley, MD 21030 www.TheOkunGroup.com PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR SELECT INDIVIDUALSRegistered Representative of and securities and investment advisory services offered through Hornor, Townsend, and Kent, Inc. (HTK) Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA SIPC. 4 North Park Drive, Suite 400, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030. 410-821-2920. The Okun Financial Group is independent of HTK. A5CM-0108-06E2 enterprising Women 51

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $5 Million in Annual Revenues Christine Latinen Maud Borup Inc. Minneapolis, MN Christine Latinen is owner and president of Maud Borup, a Minneapolis-based wholesale candy, confections, and food gift company selling direct to specialty and mass retailers nationwide. A champion of the environment, Christine developed eco eggs—the nation’s first Easter eggs made from renewable bio-plastic—and will soon install a 92-foot wind turbine to power her manufacturing facility. Her company won Minnesota Business Magazine’s 2015 Manufacturing Award for Sustainable Product, and Christine was named by Ernst & Young as one of 2014’s top 13 entrepreneurial women in America. Maureen O’Connor Lem Products Inc. Doylestown, PA Maureen O’Connor is owner and CEO of LEM Products Inc., of Doylestown, PA, a manufacturer of industrial identification products for workplace and equipment safety and compliance, with 2015 sales of $9.5 million. After reinventing her company’s business model in 2009 and establishing Lean manufacturing, LEM has averaged 40 percent compounded revenue growth. Maureen won a 2013 SmartCEO Brava award and was a finalist for the 2015 MARCUM Innovator of the year award for manufacturing. Maureen serves as a WBENC Envoy and recently was a panelist on the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Women Who Lead” event. Jennifer Arenson Global Sourcing Connection Riverwoods, IL Jennifer Arenson is founder and CEO of Global Sourcing Connection, a promotional products import, distribution, and design company in Riverwoods, IL, with 2015 sales of $9.5 million. Committed to diversity, safety, and sustainability, she developed an extensive network of overseas suppliers who are audited annually to ensure adherence to rigorous social compliance requirements that exceed industry standards. She is active in numerous industry groups, as well as the Women Presidents’ Organization and the Fair Labor Association. Lisa Firestone Managed Care Advisors, Inc. Bethesda, MD Lisa Firestone is owner and president of Managed Care Advisors, Inc., an employee benefits, management and health services consulting company based in Bethesda, MD, with sales of nearly $9 million last year. Lisa serves as vice chair of the board of Women Impacting Public Policy, as board member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and on the WBENC certification committee, and she uses all three of these capacities to mentor aspiring women entrepreneurs. She won the 2013 SmartCEO Brava Award and was named the 2014 Montgomery County Small Business Leader of the Year.52 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $5 Million in Annual RevenuesNeslihan HidirligilIt’s Always Christmas In New YorkNew York, NYNeslihan Hidirligil is CEO of It’s Always Christmas in New York, a manufacturing and retailcompany operating Christmas boutiques in the U.S. and Canada, which achieved sales of $7.5million last year. Neslihan has overcome language barriers, illness, and Super Storm Sandy—which inundated her flagship store just days before the 2012 shopping season—to build abusiness that she hopes to expand internationally within the next five years. She mentorsstudents and budding entrepreneurs, with a special emphasis on immigrant students and womenfrom her native Turkey, and supports non-profits offering assistance to Syrian refugees.Susan FrechSocial Media LinkNew York, NYSusan Frech is co-founder and CEO of New York City-based Social Media Link, a media, marketing,advertising and advocacy activation company serving clients such as Unilever, Proctor & Gamble,Conde Nast, Nestle, and Pfizer, with 2015 sales of $7.5 million. Susan serves on the advisory boardof the University of Delaware’s Horn Program in Entrepreneurship and mentors young womenthrough Advertising Women of New York. SML made the Inc. 5000 list of America’s FastestGrowing Companies for the past two years and was named a 2014 Top-10 Women Led Business inNew York City by Inc.com. She is a member of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board. Security Isn’t Business as Usual Learn Why EKP Stands ApartWith EKP, you can focus on running your business, while we focus on making it secure. We help prevent securityincidents, minimize the impact of a breach, and enhance the confidence of your business partners and customers.Most importantly, we put your risk into perspective with common-sense, defensible solutions. Let’s get started onyour security solution today.Make EKP your trusted partner for: Security assessments. Vulnerability scans. Penetration tests. Ethical hacking.Security awareness training. Security and compliance audits. Incident response. And reliable, real-world advice.EKP. Because what you don’t know CAN hurt you. ENTERPRISE KNOWLEDGECall 952-496-2460, email [email protected] or visit www.ekpartner.com. PARTNERS, LLCMinneapolis, MN • San Francisco, CA • Washington DC • Dallas, TX • New York, NY • Chicago, IL enterprising Women 53

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $5 Million in Annual Revenues Belinda Coleman The Coleman Group Inc. Lanham, MD Belinda Coleman is president and CEO of the Coleman Group Inc., a consulting firm based in Lanham, MD, that provides IT, cyber security, health care informatics, and procurement management solutions, with 2015 sales of $6 million. She serves on the board of advisors for the Universities at Shady Grove, and belongs to the Technology Council of Maryland, Women Impacting Public Policy, and the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum. She mentors young women through the Sisters4Sisters Network and frequently speaks to aspiring business owners through The Women of Prince George’s County. Lorri Fairchild AIT Worldwide Logistics Detroit, MI Lorri Fairchild owns the Detroit-based branch of AIT Worldwide Logistics and a trio of vertically-integrated global supply chain management and transportation companies, which posted 2015 sales of $7 million. Lorri is active in WBENC and several industry associations, and also serves as senior advisor for logistics to the Department of Homeland Security. She guides local Girl Scouts earning their “business” badge, serves as a state judge for DECA’s high school business conference, and mentors MBA students at the University of Michigan. She also mentors a Nigerian-born woman seeking to bring alternative energy solutions to Africa. 54 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $5 Million in Annual Revenues Ana Fenandez-Parmet Parmetech Inc. Havertown, PA Ana Fenandez-Parmet is co-founder and president of Parmetech, a document management consulting and technology integration firm in Havertown, PA, which achieved sales of $6.5 million last year. Ana is vice president and alliances committee co-chair of NAWBO- Philadelphia, and belongs to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia and the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council. She won the SmartCEO “Future 50” Award recognizing Philadelphia’s fastest-growing businesses. Teresa Lawrence Delta Personnel Metairie, LA Teresa Lawrence is CEO of Delta Personnel, a contingent workforce provider and professional placement firm in Metairie, LA, with 2015 sales of $6 million. Under her leadership, the firm was named Woman Owned Business of the Year by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. Teresa is a graduate of the Tuck-WBENC Executive Exchange Program and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Active in numerous professional and charitable organizations, she is a regional director for WBEC South, a member of the Jefferson Parish Workforce Development Board, and a regular volunteer with Girls on the Run.Employees experiencing financial distresscan impact your business. Let us help you: Increase Productivity Get Started Decrease Healthcare Costs Lower Absenteeism and Turnover (866) 861-0794CESI can offer your employees: Credit Education Financial Goal SettingDebt Management Bankruptcy Counseling BudgetingStudent Loan Counseling Housing CounselingFinancial Education Fraud PreventionCESI can help turn (866) 861-0794things around foryour employees Cesisolutions.org enterprising Women 55

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $5 Million in Annual Revenues Marsha Murray Murray Resources Houston, TX Marsha Murray is founder and president of Houston-based Murray Resources, a full-service recruiting and staffing firm with sales of $5.7 million last year. She has been named to the “Who’s Who in Energy” list for four consecutive years by the Houston Business Journal, and won its Female Entrepreneur of the Year Bronze Award in 2012 and 2013. Marsha is past board chair of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services. Marsha has mentored young women entrepreneurs through the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the Powerful Women Forum for Women Business Owners, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance, of which she is past board member. Danielle Wilson Aero Jet Medical Georgetown, TX Danielle Wilson is president and CEO of Aero Jet Medical, an all-inclusive provider of worldwide air ambulance transport services based in Georgetown, TX, with sales of $5.5 million last year. She established the first privately-contracted MEDEVAC Special Operations team for the U.S. Department of Defense. Danielle has organized multiple fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and plans to launch an international nonprofit to provide long-distance transport for ill and injured children without medical insurance coverage. 56 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $5 Million in Annual Revenues Sandra Isabel Correia Novacortica, SA Algarve, Portugal Sandra Isabel Correia is founder and president of Portugal-based Novocortiça, SA, a major producer of cork for Europe’s finest champagne makers and distributor of Pelcor® cork fashion accessories, with 2015 sales of $5.4 million. Selected to attend an entrepreneurship and innovation summit created by President Obama, Sandra Isabel launched “A New Beginning for Portugal,” a networking and mentoring non-profit to reach young women entrepreneurs. She won the 2015 International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Award from the Women Presidents’ Organization. Nominations for the2017 Enterprising Women of the Year Awardopen on October 3, 2016 at www.enterprisingwomen.com.Nominate yourself or a peer for this prestigious award! enterprising Women 57

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Janice Jucker Three Brothers Bakery Houston, TX Janice Jucker is co-owner and president of Three Brothers Bakery, with three Houston-area locations and sales in 2015 of $5 million. A member of NAWBO and a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, she also mentors budding entrepreneurs at the SBA’s Small Business Development Center. A breast cancer survivor, she is among the top fundraisers for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Houston chapter. Her bakeries donate baked goods daily to the homeless and throughout the year to the M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Center and the Easter Seals Society’s Camp Buckaroo. Sarah Endline sweetriot Brooklyn, NY Sarah Endline is CEO of sweetriot, the Brooklyn-based candy company with products featuring fair-trade cacao and natural, organic, and sustainable ingredients, with sales of $4.2 million in 2015. Prior to founding sweetriot, she launched products at Yahoo!, Microsoft, and the World Bank. She serves on the boards of both The Entrepreneur’s Organization—where she mentors young female business owners—and AIESEC, the global youth leadership development program. She gives inspirational talks at Net Impact conferences and trains interns from New York-area universities.BEHOLD.SISU_Jan15_TeamInsight_10.125x6.5_QuarterBleed.pdf 1 12/18/14 8:07 PM C M YCM 30% stronger and 50% thinner than conventionalMY mouthguards, SISU™ provides an unmatchedCY combination of strength and freedom thatCMY allows athletes to easily talk, breathe, and drinkK without ever removing their guard. Available in both adult and youth sizes, SISU mouthguards are the ultimate athletic mouth shields you once thought too good to be true. 58 enterprising Women

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Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Melanie Hoggard AR Fresh Mex, Inc. North Little Rock, AR Melanie Hoggard owns AR FreshMex, Inc., a group of six Moe’s Southwest Grill fast-casual restaurants based in North Little Rock, AR, with sales of $4.4 million last year. She was named Moe’s Rookie of the Year and also it’s Pioneer of the Year for being the first franchisee to successfully operate the brand’s restaurants west of the Mississippi River. Melanie serves on the Moe’s Southwest Grill Advisory Council and the North Little Rock Advertising and Promotions Commission. Through her restaurants, she supports numerous local charities and partners with nearby schools to provide student achievement awards and fundraising opportunities. Tamara Nall The Leading Niche New York, NY Tamara Nall is CEO of New York-based The Leading Niche, a professional services firm serving commercial, defense, and civilian customers throughout North America, Europe, and Africa, with sales in 2015 of $4 million. Her company has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies in America and won the National Minority Business Council’s Global Outstanding Business Award. She mentors other women business owners and founded Epiphany, a young professional women’s network. She is a board member of the Amobi Okoye Foundation, a charity serving both needy U.S. families and Nigerian school children. 35th Anniversary Leadership ConferenceIGNITE YOUR PASSION. IGNITE YOUR LIFE. Join us for three days of world-class inspiration, motivation and business networking at Ignite8. With Special Guest September 25–27, 2016 Lansing, Michigan Martha Mayhood Mertz Founder of ATHENA Register at athenaignite.com International Hosted by60 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $2 Million in Annual RevenuesKomal Goyal6e TechnologiesBroomfield, COKomal Goyal is managing partner and CEO of 6e Technologies, an IT and cloud services consultingfirm in Broomfield, CO, with sales of $4 million in 2015. She serves on the Women ImpactingPublic Policy’s Leadership Council and was awarded WIPP’s “Member to Watch” award in 2013.Komal started a summer internship program to encourage young women to join the technologyworld, training five women over the past two years, three of whom have become employees. Shementors other women entrepreneurs through Women in Technology and ChallengeHER.Tracy CraigCraig Communications Inc.Oakland, CATracy Craig is founder and principal of Craig Communications of Oakland, CA, a publicrelations and communications firm providing consulting services for large land use projects,with 2015 sales of $3.5 million. Her firm has a diverse supplier mentorship program topromote emerging businesses, provides paid internships to students from a local under-performing high school, and pays each employee for up to four hours of time for communityservice each month. Tracy is active in the Jobs and Housing Coalition of Oakland, theRichmond Rescue Mission, and the Mission Richmond Arts Museum.Robin FranksTge Resources, Inc.Houston, TXRobin Franks is director and founding principal of Houston-based TGE Resources, Inc., anenvironmental consulting, industrial hygiene, and remediation management firm with 2015sales of $3 million. Robin belongs to numerous professional groups, including the TexasAssociation of Environmental Professionals and the Women’s Energy Network. She is pastdirector of the National Network of Commercial Real Estate Women and is past chapterdirector of NAWBO-Houston. A frequent speaker at universities, law schools, and trade groups,Robin also serves on committees and panels to mentor up-and-coming women entrepreneurs.Leslie VickreyClearEdge MarketingChicago, ILLeslie Vickrey is founder and CEO of Chicago-based ClearEdge Marketing, an agencyspecializing in outsourced marketing solutions for high-growth technology and talentmanagement companies, with sales of $3 million last year. Leslie co-founded ARA in 2013,an organization that aims to attract, retain, and advances women in technology throughmentoring events and programming, which has already reached over 2,000 women infive cities nationwide. She serves on the board of i.c.stars, a technology-based workforcedevelopment and training program for low-income adults, as well as the Chicago InnovationAwards board of advisors. enterprising Women 61

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Deborah Stallings HR Anew Columbia, MD Deborah Stallings leads HR Anew, a human resource and professional services firm based in Columbia, MD, which serves IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and government clients and posted sales of $3 million last year. She is active in numerous professional organizations, including the Women Presidents Educational Organization, the Women Presidents’ Organization, and CEO Space International. Deborah serves on the board of Associated Black Charities and mentors economically disadvantaged minority and women small business owners. Shanthi Rajaram Amazech Solutions, LLC Frisco, TX Shanthi Rajaram is president and co-founder of Amazech Solutions, LLC, a software and consulting services firm in Frisco, TX, with sales of $3 million last year. Shanthi is active in the National Association of Professional Women, the Dallas-Ft. Worth Alliance of Technology and Women, and the Metroplex Technology Business Council. She also mentors girls through a STEM sponsorship and sponsors Women’s Business Enterprise educational programs. A passionate community volunteer, she is currently launching a new outreach called justhelping.com, a platform showcasing numerous charitable causes that will reach donors, volunteers, and recipients. A.J. Drexler Campos, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA A.J. Drexler is owner and president of Pittsburgh-based Campos, Inc., a market research and strategy organization, with sales last year of $3 million. She is active in the Women Presidents’ Organization and serves on the boards of both the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. A.J. mentors women business owners through PowerLink and speaks to aspiring women in business at Chatham University’s Center for Women Entrepreneurship and the University of Pittsburgh’s Women & Leadership Program. Raja Marhaba Martec Construction, Inc. Granada Hills, CA Raja Marhaba is president of Martec Construction, based in Granada Hills, CA, a general contracting firm specializing in tenant improvement for commercial, government, and public works clients, with sales in 2015 of $2.5 million. She is a member of NAWBO-LA, Associated Builders and Contractors, and is WBENC-certified. She founded the Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, a nonprofit that has garnered support from luminaries such as former California Governor Gray Davis and U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein. She also advocates for Children of the Night, which saves young girls from trafficking.62 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Connie Golleher The Golleher Group, LLC McLean, VA Connie Golleher leads the Golleher Group, LLC, a McLean-VA-based insurance advisory firm and wealth transfer solutions firm with sales of $2.5 million last year. She is immediate past president of the National Foundation of Insurance and Financial Planners, and currently serves as a member of the board of the District of Columbia Police Foundation and as board vice chair of For the Love of Children. She also serves as an active committee member of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation and the American Red Cross. Connie regularly mentors women new to the financial services industry and teaches young girls business, academic, and life skills through the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Autumn Manning YouEarnedIt Austin, TX Autumn Manning leads YouEarnedIt, an employee engagement platform that helps redefine the way companies engage with employees while elevating performance. Based in Austin, TX, her company posted sales of $2.5 million in 2015. Autumn is a tech community mentor, servesUa.Ss. aCfeenasturseBdusrpeeaauker at local technology and women’s events, and is also active in Women@Austin, a Cgroonutprawchto#se1m3-i0s4si-o0n00is1to provide mentoring, connections, and access to capital for women business foundAersse.rHieesrocfotmrapinainnygrseeascshioendsotuhtattoinclude a fou support victims of the 2013 Moore, OK tornadoes and will soon help rebafuonirlddnaethnweEisrauasptueAtrhuvosistroiitnriessstchahaontodiln.rterospdouncseibsiltihtieesmintothHis day seminar designed for senior supervisors w four (4) day HRM class (or other pre-selected (1) day seminar, for senior supervisors or those basic four (4) day HRM class. This is a review Sheila Lee & Associates, LLCand authorities with regard to the merit system performance management, and awards. Sig Learning Everywhere®senior supervisors with dealing with human re Share Our Strength Contract # SLA 110308 Provided facilitation for the Maryland Governo and poverty. This Executive Board meeting w Celebrating 10 years of buildingplanning sessions and future program initiative eradication of these issues. learning communitiesCI International Contract # N/A around the world!Facilitate a variety of customized organizatio for Federal Government employees over a th Teambuilding, Effective Communication, and Air Education and Training Command Contract # FA3089-08-P-0409Our cadre of strategic coaches and expert facilitators woAsrakpwrimitehcornetrasuctoltr,sdesigned and delivere training to approximately 5,000 civilian supervoriented leaders at all levels to change behaviors, increasesupervisors. Components of curriculums includ Performance Conversations, and Communicaknowledge and build skills in human capital perforcamorouuapnlenddtchweeitchoinudnitvryid.ual coaching sessions wewhile increasing organizational capacity by 35Fe%de.ral Elections Commission Contract # FE-08-D-497 This session was designed and delivered to as appreciate their differences. It provided a no members to reflect on and share their backgr 63wIt hoopethneoenudtgelhinrptertsihsoienfygchWoamodmmnouennthicinagtioinncaonmdmboronk.eTh cross-cultural session to raise participant’s aw of having a set of defined values and principl

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Jennifer Mwijukye Unifreight Cargo Handling Ltd. Kampala, Uganda Jennifer Mwijukye is founder and CEO of Uganda-based Unifreight Cargo Handling Ltd., an ISO-certified transport and logistics business with sales last year of $2.5 million. An advocate for teaching women entrepreneurs and promoting better business conditions, Jennifer has served as chair of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Ltd., board director of the Uganda Road Fund, and founder and longtime treasurer of the Association of Uganda Freight Forwarders. CEO Global named her the Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in Logistics for the entire African continent in 2015. Maribel Koella NAI Knoxville Knoxville, TN Maribel Koella is owner and principal broker of Tennessee-based NAI Knoxville, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm with 2015 sales of $2.5 million. A trailblazer in the male- dominated commercial and industrial brokerage business, she was the first woman to chair the NAI Global Leadership Board, representing thousands worldwide. Maribel received the Certified Commercial Investment Member Impact Award and was named one of Real Estate Forum’s 2013 Women of Influence. She mentors women and minorities through NAI Global’s Women’s Alliance and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors’ Diversity Working Group. UTILITIES Knowledge. Experience. Expertise. WIRELESS CW Solutions is a national real estate services firm specializing in PIPELINE the utilities and wireless telecommunications industries. CW Solutions provides expertise in right of way, property acquisition, title research, landman services, zoning, permitting and regulatory compliance to the utilities, wireless, pipeline, and oil and gas industries. Regardless of the complexity of a project, CW Solutions leverages local professionals nationwide to maximize time and assure every job is completed within budget. To learn more, call or visit us online. OIL and GAS Tel: 201.317.0143 Fax: 732.783.0314 Email: [email protected] www.cwcsi.com64 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $2 Million in Annual Revenues Rosemary Swierk Direct Steel and Construction Crystal Lake, IL Rosemary Swierk leads Direct Steel and Construction, a general contracting and construction management company based in Crystal Lake, IL, with sales of $2.5 million in 2015. She is a graduate of the Tuck-WBENC Executive Program and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Rosemary is a state appointee to the Small Business Development Center Advisory Board and was named the center’s 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year. She mentors youth through Girls Hope Boys Hope and last summer provided a summer internship to a female architecture student. Julia Knight Julia Knight Inc. Minneapolis, MN Julia Knight is founder and CEO of Minneapolis-based Julia Knight Inc., a high-end tableware, décor, and entertaining accessories brand found in over 500 high-end specialty retailers in 40 countries, as well as in luxury hotels, palaces, and yachts worldwide, with sales last year of $2.3 million. As founder of three companies, Julia loves to help aspiring women entrepreneurs and has provided internships to area high school students through StepUp Achieve. She has served on numerous business and charity boards and has won numerous awards, including the 2014 Governor’s International Trade Award. Sarah Sajedi ERA Enviromental Management Solutions Bala Cynwyd, PA Sarah Sajedi is CEO and CTO of ERA Environmental Management Solutions, a world leader in environmental, health, and safety software for the manufacturing industry. With offices in Bala Cynwyd, PA, and Montreal, her firm posted sales of $2.3 million in 2015. Sarah speaks regularly at educational institutions and conferences to promote women’s involvement in the environmental sciences. She is a member of Women in Manufacturing and Canadian Women in Technology, and won its Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She was a 2015 national finalist for the RBC’s “Women of Influence” Women Entrepreneur Awards. Join us for the 15th Annual Enterprising Women of the YearAwards Celebration & Conference, April 2-4, 2017 at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale (FL). enterprising Women 65

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Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $1 Million in Annual RevenuesTeresa KnightWomen’s Health Specialists of St. LouisSt. Louis, MOTeresa Knight is CEO of Women’s Health Specialists of St. Louis, with sales last year of $2 million.She makes monthly appearances on “Great Day Saint Louis” to provide health information and isformer co-host of the radio program “Body Language.” She mentors local female students in bothbusiness and medicine and has volunteered with teams internationally to support microfinancingand farming as a way for women to support themselves and their families. She and her staffrecently donated a day of work to clean and paint a local women’s shelter.Lisa Goodbee, PEGoodbee AssociatesCentennial, COLisa Goodbee, PE, leads Goodbee Associates, a Centennial, CO-based consulting engineeringfirm specializing in utility coordination for large-scale transportation projects. With 2015sales of $2 million, her firm has provided services for nearly every major design-buildtransportation project in the state of Colorado. Lisa serves on the Habitat for HumanityMetro Denver board, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado STEM Champion board, and thelegislative committee of the American Consulting Engineers Council. She also mentors localyouth in math and science and testifies at the state legislature on women’s and family issues,and has met with President Obama to advocate for small business concerns.Andrea HerreraAmazing Edibles Gourmet CateringChicago, ILAndrea Herrera is founder and president of Chicago-based Amazing Edibles GourmetCatering, a full service firm with sales last year of $2 million. Andrea mentored buddingentrepreneurs while leading the Entrepreneurs Organizations Accelerator Program, andcurrently serves on the global leadership committee and as chair of the 2016 fall conference.She also serves on the board of Rivendell Theatre which is dedicated to the work of womenartists. Under her leadership, Amazing Edibles contributes five percent of its pretax incometo local non-profits focused on youth and hunger issues.Eva NiewiadomskiCatalyst RanchChicago, ILEva Niewiadomski is owner and founder of Catalyst Ranch, a full-service creative meetingand event space located in an historic downtown Chicago loft, which posted sales of $2million last year. She participated in the inaugural NAWBO-Chicago Young Entrepreneur’sAcademy 2015 class to help female high school students launch a fully formed business orsocial movement. Active in the Kellogg Executive Women’s Network, she also serves on theboard of the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School for college-bound low-income Latino students andfrequently donates her space for local charity fundraisers. enterprising Women 67

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $1 Million in Annual Revenues Angelique Rewers The Corporate Agent Boca Raton, FL Angelique Rewers leads The Corporate Agent, a business consulting, training, and mentoring company based in Boca Raton, FL, with sales last year of nearly $2 million. She is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, the International Association of Business Communicators, and the Public Relations Society of America. Angelique launched Inside Edge, an annual conference uniting entrepreneurs from around the world with representatives from leading corporations. She has mentored young women through SHE Counts and Heal a Woman, Heal a Nation. Lynn Sutton Kairos Consulting Worldwide Chicago, IL Lynn Sutton is founder of Chicago-based Kairos Consulting Worldwide, a management consulting firm specializing in business process reengineering and change management serving major corporations and federal agencies, with sales in 2015 of $1.9 million. Committed to helping other women succeed and thrive professionally and personally, Lynn leads a structured mentoring program for young women at her church and informally mentors younger women business owners. She is a national partner of Women Impacting Public Policy and past board member of the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education. R From ergonomics to aesthetics, industrial to vintage, we keep the world in motion. www.casterconnection.com68 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $1 Million in Annual RevenuesMichelle YehGreen & GorgeousShanghai, ChinaMichelle Yeh is founder and CEO of GREEN & Gorgeous, based in Shanghai, China, thecountry’s first organic beauty store franchise offering consumers healthy, eco-friendly, andglobally sourced products, which boasted sales of $1.6 million in 2015. Michelle, who iscurrently developing her own natural product line, often provides informal one-on-onementoring to women entrepreneurs and speaks at women’s business conferences. Shesupports numerous children’s charities and started “Bags for Babes,” donating, for eachorganic lipstick sold, a book bag to a needy child in Guizhou province.Stacey StrattonTrue Talent GroupEdina, MNStacey Stratton is president and CEO of Minneapolis-based True Talent Group, a boutiquestaffing and recruiting agency providing clients with marketing, creative, and interactivetalent, with sale of $1.6 million last year. A founding member of Minnesota WomenEmpowering Women, Stacey is actively involved with the Women Presidents’ Organizationand Art Buddies, a creative mentorship program for inner-city children. She was named tothe Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list in 2015. enterprising Women 69

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $1 Million in Annual Revenues Marilyn Volpe The Madison Consulting Group New York, NY Marilyn Volpe is founder and president of The Madison Consulting Group, a New York City- based training, consulting, and executive coaching company serving financial services, health care, media, and technology clients, with 2015 sales of $1.5 million. Active in the Women Presidents’ Organization and WBENC, Marilyn has also participated in Bizwomen New York’s Mentoring Monday and helped underprivileged high school students at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School prepare for college admissions interviews. Emma Davidson Affinity Capital Limited London, United Kingdom Emma Davidson is founder and director of London-based Affinity Capital Limited, an independent investment advisory firm specializing in structured investments and derivatives, with sales of $1.5 million last year. Emma, who authored the book Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction Put to Good Use, plans to open an Australia office within the next five years. She recently mentored a group of young entrepreneurs in southern Africa and Zimbabwe over an 18-month period, and informally advises other women entrepreneurs. PR + DIGITAL 70 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $1 Million in Annual Revenues Jennifer Kearney Gotham Energy 360 Llc New York, NY Jennifer Kearney is Executive Partner of New York City-based Gotham Energy 360 LLC, an energy management and sustainability consulting firm serving large institutional clients, with sales of $1.4 million last year. She mentors college-bound high school students through QuestBridge, iMentor, Barnard College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program, and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program. She has published articles in national energy journals and recently presented a white paper at the SUNY Maritime Global Research Center. Mary Frantz Enterprise Knowledge Partners Minneapolis, MN Mary Frantz is founder of Minneapolis-based Enterprise Knowledge Partners, a premier provider of technology, cyber security, eDiscovery and forensics services, which had sales in 2015 of $1.4 million. An author and frequent panelist at industry and entrepreneurship roundtables, Mary enjoys recruiting young women and minorities to STEM programs and mentoring women entrepreneurs through Dunwoody Community College. She also supports a local battered women’s shelter and provides free litigation and forensics services for women in abuse-related divorce and child custody cases.Washington DC’s Premier Transportation ProviderWe can provide service around the world! LEISURE SERVICES CORPORATE SERVICES Winery & Brewery Tours Metro Shuttles DC Tours Executive Car Services Weddings, Proms Airport Transfers Birthdays, Anniversaries Corporate Shuttles Concerts, Festivals Team-Building And More! Sports Events And More! President & CEO Kristina Bouweiri @[email protected] www.RestonLimo.com 703.478.0500 enterprising Women 71

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $1 Million in Annual Revenues Patrina Clark Pivotal Practices Consulting, LLC Greenbelt, MD Patrina Clark is founder and president of Pivotal Practices Consulting, LLC, a management consulting and leadership development firm in Greenbelt, MD, with 2015 sales of $1.4 million. Winner of the 2015 Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur off the Year award, Patrina is chapter president of the Society of Human Resources Management and serves on the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Experts. She is a registered mentor with Executive Women in Government and served as a volunteer panelist for the 2013 Washington DC Girl’s Expo. Almira Bardai Jive Communications Vancouver, BC, Canada Almira Bardai is co-founder and co-CEO of Jive Communications, an award-winning public relations agency specializing in social media marketing, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Los Angeles, and sales of $1.3 million in 2015. An industry thought leader and frequent media commentator, Almira was a finalist for the 2014 Vancouver YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards. She has lent communications expertise to charities such as the Vancouver Opera, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the Aga Khan Foundation Kyrgyzstan. She mentors other women through Ten Thousand Coffees and the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. SOFTWARE INTEGRATION & CONSOLIDATION YOU CAN’T IGNORE As the nation’s premier background screening provider and a certified woman-owned business enterprise, we know that switching providers can be time- and resource-consuming. That’s why we don’t charge integration fees. Get a free quote today at BackgroundScreening.com. 1.800.800.3774 BackgroundScreening.com72 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with Over $1 Million in Annual RevenuesLindsay NahmiacheJive CommunicationsVancouver, BC, CanadaLindsay Nahmiache is co-founder and co-CEO of Jive Communications, an award-winning publicrelations agency with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with sales of $1.3 millionin 2015. Lindsay mentors other women through TiE Young Entrepreneurs, the Forum for WomenEntrepreneurs, and the YWCA, and is a curriculum adviser for the University of British Columbia’sdigital communications program. She was named a 2013 Top 100 winner in the Women’s ExecutiveNetwork’s Future Leaders category.Ferose OatenAvts Roadworthy StationsCape Town, South AfricaFerose Oaten leads AVTS Roadworthy Stations, a Cape Town-based vehicle inspection and safety certificationtraining consultancy with sales last year of $1.2 million. She hopes to expand her company’s presence fromseven branches in the western cape to locations in all of South Africa’s major provinces, and in so doing, leadthe way in promoting vehicle safety to reduce road fatalities. Ferose is a member of the Retail Motor IndustryOrganization, UnitedSucces, and the Businesswomen’s Association, through which she mentors womenentrepreneurs. She has played an active role in the Women’s Hope and Education Trust, which helps fundwomen-led community organizations with the goal of improving the quality of life in local communities. enterprising Women 73

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with Over $1 Million in Annual Revenues Lasenta Lewis-Ellis LLE Construction Group, LLC Columbia, SC Lasenta Lewis-Ellis is president and CEO of LLE Construction Group in Columbia, SC, a general contracting, construction management, and facility management firm with sales of $1.2 million last year. A member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, Women Impacting Public Policy, and numerous industry groups, she mentors local students and founded a summer camp for girls focused on entrepreneurship. She is a Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” and Kaufman Foundation’s FastTrack Entrepreneur Program graduate. Marnie Ochs-Raleigh Evolve Systems St. Paul, MN Marnie Ochs-Raleigh is CEO of Evolve Systems based in St. Paul, MN, a company that provides digital marketing, e-commerce, and merchant card-processing services, with sales of $1.1 million last year. Marnie is president of NAWBO-Minnesota and has served on the boards of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce and the Alexandra House for battered women. She mentors two women students at the University of Minnesota’s Carlton School of Management, and her employees have volunteered over 5,500 hours in the local community. ESTd A C R E AT I V E AGENCY 2001 ACCELERATING THE SUCCESS OF ALL WOMEN. KNOCKINC.COM 74 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with up to $1 Million in Annual RevenuesStephanie ScottiProfessionally Speaking Consulting, LlcChapel Hill, NCStephanie Scotti is founder and director of Professionally Speaking Consulting, a consultingagency based in Chapel Hill, NC, focused on executive communication and public speakingfor a global clientele of influential business leaders. She has taught at Duke University andcurrently serves as a coach and judge for business simulations at the University of NorthCarolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Working with Women NC Fellows, she mentorsuniversity students while preparing them to speak at the United Nations’ Commission on theStatus of Women conferences in New York City.Joyce Ann Miller, PhDKeystone Research CorporationErie, PAJoyce Ann Miller is president emeritus of KeyStone Research Corporation, an organizationaldevelopment and applied science research and consulting firm based in Erie, PA. She haspublished articles in numerous peer-reviewed journals and authored the book ImprovingPerformance in Service Organizations: How to Implement a Lean Transformation. Joyce Annis immediate past chair of the Northwest PA Workforce Development Board and currentlyserves on People to People International’s board of directors and the Erie Women’s Fundsteering committee. She mentors other women through the ATHENA PowerLink program.Royalyn ReidConsumer & Market InsightsDallas, TXRoyalyn Reid is co-founder and CEO of Consumer & Market Insights, a market research,training, and project management firm with offices in Dallas and Washington, D.C. Apast member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, shecurrently serves on the WBENC board of directors, as well as on the board of the Women’sBusiness Council Southwest. She is a member of the Institute for Economic Empowermentof Women’s Advisory Committee and mentors women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan andRwanda through the organization’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.Katie Dolan DixCapannari Ice CreamMount Prospect, ILKatie Dolan Dix is co-owner and president of Capannari Ice Cream, Chicago’s premierice cream catering company. Her company was named to Good Morning America’s listof “Top Ten Ice Cream Shops in America,” as well as to AmericanAirlines.com’s “Top TenDestinations for Ice Cream.” She has served on the board of the National Ice Cream RetailersAssociation and is past president of the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association.She developed a training program for seasonal staff members and also mentors local youthsas an instructor in the Young Entrepreneur’s Academy. enterprising Women 75

Enterprising Women of the Year Award WinnersWinners with up to $1 Million in Annual Revenues Sophia Fouzia Leaguedi Ameroc Export Inc. Glenview, IL Sophia Fouzia Leaguedi is president of Chicago-based Ameroc Export Inc., an international trade company connecting U.S. suppliers with global buyers, with sales last year of $1 million. A member of the International Trade Association and the U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce, Sophia was selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce to participate in six international trade missions in the past two years to promote U.S. products worldwide. She has mentored young women entrepreneurs through the Chicago Southland Chamber’s Heels of Business program and received Business Ledger’s 2014 Influential Women in Business Award. Rebecca Geller The Geller Law Group Fairfax, VA Rebecca Geller is president and CEO of The Geller Law Group of Fairfax, VA. Her firm was featured in a May 2015 New York Times news story for its exceptional commitment to employee work/life balance. Rebecca was selected as a Washington Post Magazine Super Lawyer and as Washingtonian magazine’s “Person We Would Like to Have Dinner With.” She champions numerous policy issues affecting women, teaches seminars for budding entrepreneurs at the Small Business Development Center, and serves on numerous nonprofit boards. She was also the first student ever appointed to serve on the American University Board of Trustees. Lara Hodgson Now Corp. Atlanta, GA Lara Hodgson is president and CEO of Atlanta-based NOW Corp., a financial services company that accelerates revenue to small businesses through the strength of their trade credit. Lara teaches finance at the Georgia Institute of Technology and serves on the boards of Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, Access Capital for Entrepreneurs, and the Atlanta Heights Charter School. She was named the Georgia Tech Women in Engineering Alumnus of the Year and received the Womenetics 2013 POW! Award honoring purposeful women. Farrah Qureshi Global Diversity Practice Saltaire, United Kingdom Farrah Qureshi is CEO of Global Diversity Practice, based in Saltaire, UK, a leading provider of learning solutions and multi-disciplinary consultancy in the field of global diversity and inclusion. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has authored two books on diversity and dignity in the workplace. Farrah mentors underprivileged minority and ethnic students through the Mosaic initiative and helps other organizations set up mentoring programs for young women. She started a charitable foundation to support minority youths in West Yorkshire as well as disadvantaged communities in South Africa.76 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winners Winners with up to $1 Million in Annual RevenuesPatricia MaldonadoNanay SrlLa Paz, BoliviaPatricia Maldonado leads Nanay SRL, based in La Paz, Bolivia, which makes hand-knittedbaby alpaca and baby llama woolen children’s clothing for export to the U.S., Europe, Korea,and Japan. She founded her company in 2007 with just four employees. Today Nanay SRLemploys more than 600 formerly unemployed women of Bolivia, helping them provideeconomic sustenance for their families while growing as entrepreneurs. Patricia’s goal is tocontinue creating jobs while facing keen competition from China and other countries withmore favorable conditions for export. She is a member of the National Organization for FemaleExecutives, the World Fair Trade Organization, and the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.Women Sponsorship opportunities are available for our 2017 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference. Contact Beth Blake at [email protected] for more information. enterprising Women 77

20o1f6 tEhneteYreparrisSiPnOgNWSoOmRSenDiamond SponsorsCarnival Corporation & PLCWalmart/Sam’s ClubPlatinum SponsorUPSGold SponsorshipIBMChurchill ClassicsWells FargoSRB Communications, LLCSilver SponsorshipOmega World TravelThirty-One GiftsGo2eventsKathy Kamei DesignsShelten MediaFriends of Enterprising WomenWine Sisterhood Wagner Family Wente Vineyards Sweetriot Bonitas Handley Cellars Art + Farm Wine InternationalSeven Sisters of Wine Wine Glass Writer House of Mandela78 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year champions Jacquelyn Nicole Wickens is founder of Orlando- profits, including The Pink Fund, the Albert based Validus Construction Services and Angel House for battered women, the provides design-build, interior/exterior American Red Cross, Big Brothers Albert Restaurant renovation, construction management, Big Sisters, Forgotten Harvest, and Group consulting, and joint-venture services to Brighton-area schools. Dallas, TX commercial clients throughout central Florida. Her company is WBENC- JenniferJacquelyn Albert is president of Dallas- certified and she is a member of The Didierbased Albert Restaurant Group, LLC, a Network of the Hospitality Industry.fast-casual restaurant franchisee with Directions21 Schlotzky’s Deli and six Dairy Queen Michelle Training Center,locations throughout Texas. Jacqueline Coffino Inc.has served on the Schlotzky’s Franchisee Oak Brook, ILAdvisory Board for eight years and won Queen City Metalnumerous accolades, including the 2014 Recycling & Jennifer Didier is CEO of DirectionsSchlotzky’s 2014 Franchise Partner of Salvage, Llc Training Center, Inc., an IT andthe Year Award. She regularly mentors Charlotte, NC professional development and trainingnew franchise owners, and her company company based in Oak Brook, IL. Shesupports numerous charities, including Michelle Coffino leads Charlotte, serves on the board of both the IllinoisJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, NC-based Queen City Metal Recycling Institute of Technology and the Illinoisthe Children’s Miracle Network, and the & Salvage, LLC, a full-service provider Technology Foundation, and providesNorth Texas Food Bank. of metal and electronic recycling and career mentoring to students at the the only 100-percent woman-owned Young Women’s Leadership Charter Becky business of its kind in the south. She is School in Chicago. Cannon a member of the National Association of Professional Women, the Institute Darlene Kirk i Play., Inc. of Scrap Recycling Industries, and Asheville, NC CBinclusion. An avid mentor, she helps Kirk’s Global young women starting new businesses, Compass Becky Cannon is guides lesbian and transgender women San Antonio, TXfounder and president of i play., Inc., a in the local community, and assistsnatural baby products company based in homeless and previously incarcerated Darlene Kirk isAsheville, NC, with retailers throughout women in starting new lives. founder of Kirk’s Global Compass,the U.S. and more than 25 countries. a trio of marketing, social mediaShe co-founded the company after living Juliet Shrader management, and promotionalin Japan, where, as a new mother, she products companies based in Sanfound well-designed baby products with iVantage Group Antonio, TX. She mentors youngspecial functions made from natural Brighton, MI women through the Entrepreneursmaterials. She is the recipient of the Organization’s Accelerator program2012 Asheville Chamber of Commerce Juliet Shrader is and recently founded Here ComesAya Award, which honors resourceful president and CEO Mama, an online resource to inspirewomen in business who have improved of iVantage Group, a talent acquisition, young women to greatness and providethe quality of life for others in the recruiting, and placement firm based career skills, business etiquettecommunity and helped other women in Brighton, MI, which serves high- and scholarships.reach their leadership potential. profile clients in the technology industry, including Kelly Services, Meghan Nicole Carhartt, GM Onstar, and Blue Cross Medford Wickens Blue Shield. She is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization, the Medford Roofing Validus Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Memphis, TN Construction Council, and the Women’s Business Services, Llc Enterprise National Council. Juliet Meghan MedfordOrlando, FL actively supports a range of non- is president of Medford Roofing, enterprising Women 79

Enterprising Women of the Year championsa commercial roofing contractor on the Greater Memphis Chambers’ Biancabased in Memphis, TN. She recently Board of Governors and founded Vobeckycompleted the SBA’s Emerging the Summer Avenue MerchantsLeaders Program and was selected Association to revitalize a blighted Vobeckyby the Mayor to participate in Memphis neighborhood. She was Enterprises, Inc.the Memphis and Shelby County honored by the Memphis Chamber as Glendora, CAEconomic Gardening Program. Active a 2014 “Young Memphian,” and namedin NAWBO and Commercial Real to the Memphis Business Journal’s Bianca Vobecky is founder, president,Estate Women, Meghan also serves “Top Forty Under Forty” for 2015. and CEO of Vobecky Enterprises, Inc., a general contracting, constructionBEING THERE management, and nationwide trucking company based in Glendora, CA.Senior Care, LLC Under her leadership the company was named as an approved transporter for Military Surface Deployment and the Department of Defense in 2010. A member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and WBENC, Bianca is also a three-time past board member of the Glendora Chamber of Commerce and served as vice president of the Southern California chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors.Compassion, Dignity, and Maya Roth Peace of Mind… Cadfab Digital • Free Consultation • Los Angeles, CA• Personal private duty care available, short and long term care 24/7• In-home, assisted living & nursing home care Maya Roth is founder• Assistance with tasks of daily living, including bathing and taking of Los Angeles- based CADFab Digital, a digital medications fabric design and printing company• In-home meal preparation and cleanup serving the apparel, entertainment,• Help with personal correspondence, recording personal histories and hospitality, home furnishings, and soft signage industries. A former soldier reading newspapers or books to clients and graduate of New York’s Fashion• Respite care to caregivers Institute of Technology, this Tel Aviv native mentors young female business Serving Baltimore and Surrounding Counties owners in her industry, as well as a local Board Member of the Howard County Coalition of student interested in costume design. Geriatric Services Magaly 410-971-8999 Chocano www.beingthereseniorcare.comLinda Cromwell, Owner [email protected] Sweb Interactive, Llc “Women of Distinction” 2011 Business Women’s Network of Howard County San Antonio, TX“Top 100 Minority Business Entrepreneurs” 2009 & 2012 • Smart CEO Magazine “Brava” Award 2012 Magaly Chocano leads Sweb Interactive, a digital technology and marketing agency based in San Antonio, TX. She serves on the boards of the Entrepreneurs Organization, the San80 enterprising Women

Enterprising Women of the Year championsAntonio Tech Bloc, and Venture Lab. Mun Wong and custom security systems to a wideShe also volunteers with NAWBO-San range of commercial and residentialAntonio’s teen mentor program and VinTech Security customers. Active in NAWBO-Chicago,recently guided a young woman through Systems, Inc. ASIS International, and the Chicagolandthe process of building an app from Chicago, IL Chamber of Commerce, Mun is a 2016start to finish. recipient of the Chicago Business Mun Wong is Journal’s “Women of Influence” awards. Mayra Khan president of Chicago-based VinTech She also serves as Global Liaison for the Security Systems, Inc., which provides Women in Security Council to support, Nova Driving electronic security systems integration School Chicago, IL Mayra Khan leads theChicago-based Nova Driving School,which provides both classroom andbehind-the-wheel instruction forstudents and adults. With a missionto train safe and responsible driverswith solid defensive driving skills,Nova has trained over 8,000 studentssince opening its doors in 2003. Agraduate of the Goldman Sachs “10,000Small Businesses” program, Mayrais a member of the National SafetyCouncil, the Hyde Park Chamber ofCommerce, and the Women’s BusinessDevelopment Council. Under herleadership, Nova won the Family SmallBusiness Award at the 2015 SmartBusiness Family Business Conference.Mayra supports a local youth baseballteam and Concordia Place, a non-profitserving children and teens. Kimberly enterprising Women 81 Miller 4/1/2009 10:21:35 AM Ink Link Marketing Miami Lakes, FLKimberly Miller is founder and presidentof Ink Link Marketing, a publicrelations and marketing firm withoffices in South Florida and Atlantaserving the top national brands inthe restaurant industry. She foundedthe Atlanta Women’s Exchange forfemale professionals to networkand learn, sponsors student internsin communications each semester,and serves as a guest lecturer atseveral universities. 090401_Enterprising_Women.indd 1

Enterprising Women of the Year championsinspire, and promote women in the Vancouver, BC, or nails for condominium balconies. Assecurity industry. Under her leadership, Canada past vice chair and board member ofVinTech was named one of the Top 50 the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs,Growing Companies in the security Kelly Niessen is she mentors aspiring women businessintegrating industry for 2013. founder of Vancouver- owners. She also served on the British based KANDY Columbia Sports Hall of Fame’s boardKelly Niessen Outdoor Flooring, of trustees and on the board of advisors Inc., an industry leader and pioneer that for the Advanced Systems Institute.Kandy Outdoor Flooring, Inc. provides innovative floating outdoor flooring systems without glue, grout, Betsy Bassan Panagora Group Kensington, MD Betsy Bassan is founder, president, and CEO of Panagora Group in Kensington, MD, an international development consulting firm serving the U.S. government and global organizations to improve social and economic conditions in developing countries. Betsy is past president of the Society for International Development and chaired the American Public Health Association’s international health section. She mentors college students who want to pursue careers in international development. Nicole Martin HRBoost, Llc Libertyville, IL Nicole Martin is CEO and Founder of HRBoost, LLC, a human resources consulting and outsourcing firm based in Libertyville, IL. Active in numerous professional organizations, Nicole is a member of VISTAGE, NAWBO, and the Small Business Advisory Council. She serves on the advisory board for the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ and on the board of OMNI Youth Services, a community non-profit dedicated to developing responsible youth and strengthening families. She is a 2014 graduate of the Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” program and was honored as one of the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s Influential Women in Business.82 enterprising Women

Phyllis EYnetearrpArwisainrgdsWCoemleebnraotfiothne Ludwig Young Enterprising Women Scholarship Award Winners from across the U.S. pose with Ludwig some of the Enterprising Women Foundation volunteers. Business ConsultantsLansdale, PAPhyllis Ludwig is founder ofLudwig Business Consultants,an accounting and businessconsulting firm based inLansdale, PA. She serves onthe Temple University BusinessExecutive MBA Advisory Board,gives motivational talks at theLeague of EntrepreneurialWomen, and is currently workingwith the Catholic University ofAmerica Office of Developmentto establish an annual scholarshipfor female accountingstudents. Phyllis developedthe Cent$ableKids financialliteracy program to teachyoung women money basicsand financial independence. Anavid community volunteer, shementors MBA students and hasdonated hundreds of hours asa piano accompanist to localchoral organizations. Maureen Marti Hedge, a winner in the “over $100 million in annual sales revenues” category Patterson poses with her daughters. Solus Award winners with over $10 million in annual sales revenues gathered for a photo Lighting Ltd. before the gala awards dinner. Cleveland, OH enterprising Women 83Maureen Patterson is co-founderof Cleveland-based SolusLighting Ltd., which provideslighting design and productionmanagement services forcorporate, social, and non-profitspecial events. She mentorsaspiring female entrepreneursthrough her involvementwith WISE, Women in Sports& Events, and her companysponsors a young man withautism and his family throughAutism Speaks.

MANAGEMENTby Michele Johnson and Lorraine Kennedy How to ETRmheepdfluot cyeee Editor’s Note: The each reference to determine the correct employees log their time by job or task. following article timeline. If there is a gap that cannot On a daily or no more than weekly basis, is based on the be adequately explained, let that be a employees track their time by whose job book, “Building a red flag and move to the next candidate. or which task they were working on. This Stellar Business, A Remember two things: these folks have provides two things: it shows the actual Structured Guide to access to all the information about your hours by day of what they worked and Financial Success.” business you give them and there are it helps manage the hours spent on each some very sophisticated ways to steal job to show efficiency. Monitoring theseNot everyone is dishonest. Most these days. reports will help you keep time in check folks are far from it, but some so set up a monitoring system that works people do have sticky fingers Your Staff for you. Make sure you check in withand do steal, so be careful who you have employees anytime you have a question,working in your business and check on Those who do not have direct contact and even when you don’t.them periodically. with the money in your business can still steal your time and inventory. If they Safeguarding Money As the owner of your business, you are new hires, follow the same steps youprobably do not have the time to monitor would when hiring anyone new, check Let’s review receiving money intoevery area at the same time; however, references, and trust your instincts. your business. In an ideal world, youif your employees know that you could Sophisticated background checks can be would have two people opening themonitor a certain area, and often do, they done for all of your potential employees mail and signing off that a check or cashare less likely to try and steal from you. If that include their presence on the internet. was received and that it was posted to athey perceive that you are keeping an eye If they are long time employees, let’s look customer’s account. However, in the realon them and that they could be caught at systems that can help you there, too. world, where we are doing more workat any time, they are less likely to try with less employees, you have a coupleanything below board. Sometimes doing Safeguarding Time of good options. If you have a lot ofjust enough to give the impression you are payments received in the mail, you canwatching everything is all that is needed. Are your employees working all the buy a lockbox service. All of the payments hours they say they are? If you aren’t are sent to a secure address and theyBookkeepers utilizing some sort of punch clock or have the internal controls to process theand Treasurers automated software, start to. It’s still the payments and put the funds directly into easiest and simplest ways for employees your account. This service does cost Bookkeepers or treasurers really have to track how many hours they are there money, but if this sounds like it mightnothing more than their reputations. working. Whether it’s on the wall or work for you, then look into it.When hiring, ask your colleagues for any on their computer or smart phone, theyreferrals they may have, and whether simply log in, work their day, and log The second option is simpler, yetyou hire from a referral, or not, check out in the end. This works well even for effective for a smaller business if donereferences. The trick to checking employees on salary as just a simple way properly: open the mail yourself. Notreferences is to make sure that there to keep track of what days they worked. all of it and not every day, but in theare no gaps in the resume so check with If appropriate for your business, have beginning open it several days a week84 enterprising Women

and let everyone know you do it. When most popular ones. Maybe you stock high inventory checks. If your staff sees youthe mail comes in, mark down what end electronics or maybe you stock the make these checks and perceives thatchecks come in and then review the latest desired fashion accessories. It’s your you are watching everything, they willnext business deposit to make sure it’s inventory and your money, so check on it. think twice.there. If there is an invoice past due, MICHELE JOHNSON and LORRAINEbut you thought it was paid, investigate. Finally, many small companies have KENNEDY are financial consultantsA business’ mail is full of lots of great employees doing many duties, and and authors of the book Buildinginformation and if your employees know perhaps have been working for them a Stellar Business: A Structuredyou are monitoring it, you are helping to many years. Look for ways to separate Guide to Financial Success.safeguard your business. duties, watch payments come into your business, check staff efficiency and make enterprising Women 85 Let’s now review money going outof your business. For business owners,they are usually the only person who hasthe ability to sign checks and this worksjust fine. There are circumstances whenrequiring two signatures on a check is abetter idea. If the company is large withmany different departments, requiringthe double signature puts into place acontrol so that not one person has accessto all of the funds without oversight. Theother circumstance when two signaturesare prudent is when there is no single“business owner” or if an organization hasan extra fiduciary responsibility, such asa non-profit. Credit card refunds also need to betreated just like checks going out. Thereshould be an additional level of approvalbefore one can be processed and that canbe as simple as having a second employeeapprove the process or as detailed ashaving you approve each one. Lastly, there is no substitute foryou, as the business owner, to reviewthe bank statements and credit cardstatements yourself every month. Justlike with the mail, if you have questions,ask them and let your staff know you arepaying attention.Safeguarding Inventory Is your company inventory andequipment locked up? Is only one personresponsible for it? Are there sign outsrequired? What happens to outdated orobsolete inventory? For inventory, the importance of doinga total inventory count as often as feasible,certainly annually, is imperative. Afterthat, keeping an up-to-date list and doingspot checks periodically is very importantto safeguarding your assets. Go back intothe stock room. Grab an updated list andcount some of your items, especially the

managementby Rosemary SwierkMReoavdeyotroREexnpoavnadte,?Be Prepared for Common Construction PitfallsThe thought of expanding your facilities projects involve many different your desires and goals. Together, all business is exciting. Facilities can players including business owners participants should agree on the project have a dramatic positive impact on and officers, owner’s representatives, objectives in writing. Clear, accurate andbottom-lines. However, if the end result architects, engineers, general consistent goals and communication ofdoes not meet your desires and needs, contractors/construction managers, and these goals will then dictate many aspectsbuyer’s remorse can be significant and subcontractors, government entities of the project including the design.the reparations costly.There are many and in many situations real estatecommon, yet often avoidable, pitfalls brokers. Strong, clear leadership that Scope: A detailed scope of workthat affect construction related projects. communicates the scope, budget and should be generated. This scope wouldBeing aware of these pitfalls in advance schedule early on, defines job rules and document every aspect of the project,and putting the right team and processes/ expectations, and is prepared to make from start to completion. For instance,procedures in place, can minimize the changes as needed, will facilitate the relocating staff during a renovation;opportunity for negative results. continued alignment of your projects integrating construction during business scope, budget, schedule and quality. As hours; material selection; and scheduling Integrated approach: Each the list of stakeholders grows, it can be and budget considerations must beconstruction related professional increasingly difficult to keep everyone considered. Defined scope facilitatesprovides a particular strength and in the loop, in agreement with schedule a well- planned project, improvedunique understanding within their field. requirements, budget and scope changes, scheduling and decreases change orders.Hiring experienced professionals with and moving toward the same goal.a strong background in working with Budget: You can likely imagine theother professionals to provide integrated Communication: It is important all negative impact of exceeding projectdelivery is critical to a successful project, decision makers agree on the main vision budgets. Throughout the entire process,ensure fully required scope is covered for the project and the key indicators for costs must be recorded and comparedand proposals accurately reflect the success. Key indicators include project against the initial budget. An authorizedrequired scope. scope, budget, schedule and quality. person or designated team should approve Be prepared to visualize and verbalize all invoices and authorize all payments in Stakeholders: Commercial relations to work completed. Any changes86 enterprising Women

to the original plan must be reviewed/ a smooth transition and move-in. The ROSEMARY SWIERK is presidentapproved in writing for among many plan would include scheduling of the of Direct Steel and Construction,reasons, budget implications. final building inspection and satisfying a general contractor/construction all the requirements for the Certificate manager firm that also provides owner’s Schedule: Construction delays are the of Occupancy. In addition, it will include representative services. The companycostly pitfalls. Just like the scope of work, obtaining all product and service has a reputation for delivering qualitythe construction schedule is a detailed warranties and unconditional waivers of construction projects on time and onand key document. Contingencies, lien. You will cross the finish line when budget. Contact Rosemary at solutions@milestones and long-lead times are your business is up and running in the directsteelllc.com. She is a member ofproperly assessed and incorporated in the new facility. the Enterprising Women Advisory Board.schedule. Such schedules reinforce howeach party’s role and deliverable interacts. ⬀ 䌀刀䔀䄀吀䤀嘀䔀      ⬀ 倀刀伀䐀唀䌀吀䤀伀一      ⬀ 䔀嘀䔀一吀 䴀䄀一䄀䜀䔀䴀䔀一吀A comprehensive schedule identifyinglong lead time items and shared with the ㈀㄀㈀⸀㌀㘀㘀⸀㐀㜀㠀㤀entire project team facilitates the projectmoving forward. 眀眀眀⸀氀搀樀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀椀漀渀猀⸀挀漀洀 Entitlement: It is also imperative 㜀㌀ 匀瀀爀椀渀最 匀琀⸀ ⌀㐀　㘀 一夀䌀 ㄀　　㄀㈀you and your team understand howentitlement, environmental and 䀀氀搀樀瀀爀漀搀渀礀挀 property limitations and requirementsmay adversely affect your project inadvance of initiating design/constructionproject. Parties such as local officials,neighbors, permitting departments, utilitycompanies, EPA and the Departmentof Transportation, can influence aproject’s success. Governmental: Not obtaining properlicensing can bring a project to a deadstop. Local, federal and state laws dictatelicenses required on certain projects.Requirements from various organizationssuch as the local jurisdiction, State,EPA and OSHA must also be met. It isimperative to know which permits arenecessary for your project and to obtainthem in a timely manner. Once propertyis considered, connect with buildingofficials to understand exactly what willbe required. On-site supervision: On-sitesupervision is instrumental during theconstruction process. It is critical tomonitor the schedule, scope and quality toassure goals are being met. Being visible,knowing the crew, and resolving issuesas they arrive will keep the work flowingsmoothly. It will also lead to better qualitymaterials and labor being used. If thereare conflicts among parties, the projectsupervisor may be able to mediate aresolution and keep everyone focused onthe project. Project Close-out: Planningproperly for project close-out is the finalhurdle. A close-out plan helps ensure enterprising Women 87

personal growthby Linda CromwellCEOHow to Be theYoouf r Life Managing Your Business and Caregiving for Loved OnesWhen we all started our balancing the demands of work and family 80s and 90s, the demands on caregivers businesses or started climbing requires that a woman become the CEO of can become overwhelming to a woman the ladder to become a leader her life—not just her business. in her 50s or 60s who is often in theof a bigger organization, we were on a prime of her career.mission. Our vision was clear, our energy The parallel makes sense when youfocused, and we proceeded on a path think about it. The same skills that are To help cope with this emotionallyfilled with rewards and challenges until we integral to being an entrepreneur or good draining situation of caring for a loved onegot where we wanted to be—a successful leader are required for success with this on top of a career commitment can seembusiness woman. juggling act. Especially important are more difficult some days than climbing good communication skills, the ability Mt. Everest blindfolded. Despite this success in the business to triage and prioritize—not sweatingworld, at some point on the journey, many the “small stuff,” extraordinary time The key to maintaining sanity andcareer women come face-to-face with management, and resourcefulness with succeeding at this juggling act, however, isone of the biggest challenges they’ll ever the ability to delegate. to take control of the situation and applyencounter-- the juggling act of managing your business management skills to thisthe demands of a career with those of For today’s baby boomers in particular, personal situation.caring for a family. our parents are living longer and, therefore, likely in need of their adult daughters’ Start by establishing a goal, which Whether the timing of this challenge assistance for years. That assistance is ideally one that reflects your parent’sis early in a career when many women may be minor when parents are relatively wishes, too.have children, or it’s later in a career when independent and may just need a ride to aaging parents start to need their daughter’s doctor or assistance with home projects. For instance, “My goal is to keepassistance and a role reversal kicks in, my mother living in her home until But, as the parents are hitting their she wants to move into a senior- living facility or becomes disabled88 enterprising Women

and her safety is at jeopardy.” them to relieve pressure for an existing Linda Cromwell is founder Second, develop an Action Plan that situation or at least create a “contingency of Being There Senior Care, plan” that will be triggered in the event which she founded nearly 15will be required to make this goal a reality. that your parent’s condition changes at years ago in Baltimore, MDJust like making an action plan for a any given time. and the daughter who hasmarketing campaign, you should include helped care for her 89-year-dates, responsible parties (who will do By managing your personal life old mother for the past eightwhat as you delegate and ask for help), with advance, pre-crisis planning, you years who is a stage 4 cancerand a budget for those items that may cost will minimize the inevitable stress and survivor. She is a member of the Enterprisingmoney (caregiver visits, meal delivery, maximize the outcome—just as you’ve Women Advisory Board.shopping assistance, etc.). proven you can do in business. enterprising Women 89 To ensure this plan reflects thewishes of your parent, consider basingthe Action Plan on a “life-care plan” sothere is no question about what happenswhen there is a change to their healththat will warrant changes to care andliving situations. Just as the CEO in you would hirean attorney to make sure your businesscontracts are worded correctly, schedulea consultation with an elder law attorneywho offers “life-care planning.” This attorney will meet with yourparent(s) while they are mentally sharp,and he or she will prepare the “life-care plan” that will reflect their wishesfor how and where they want to live,including trigger points that will movethem to the next step in their plan--from independent living to having theassistance of in-home care; then if theyhave a stroke or break a hip, they agreethey’ll go to a residential re-hab facility,for instance. The plan will also includetheir advance directives and will, whichis what most people think of when theymeet with an “elder law” attorney. Ensuring these documents are donebefore any dementia or other mentalissues arise is especially helpful if thereare siblings or other family memberswho may dispute your decisions as thecaregiver, saying, “Mom didn’t wantthat or didn’t say such-and-such.” Yourducks will be in a row, and conflict will beaverted—just as you protect yourself withproper planning in your business. A third step is “Identification ofResources.” Your local Departmentof Aging is a good place to start, asthey have counselors who can provideresources to you. Once you identify the type of help youneed (or may need in the future), makecontact with these resources and schedule

Managementby Nina Kaufman, Esq. Building Wealthwith a Selable Business“You build personal wealth with a multi-million-dollar exit,” Neil Kristianson knew from the start walking away was never an option.” says Terena Bell, who sold her that he didn’t want to remodel homes Others wanted a business legacy.translation company, In Every Language, forever, but when the 2008 recessionjust over a year ago. “If you don’t build hit, “it really took all the fun out of the For 15 years, Barbara Findlay Schenckyour business to sell,” she cautions, business,” he says. “We knew we had owned an advertising agency in Bend,“you can end up closing your doors, a good name/brand for our high-end Oregon, with her husband. They built towith nothing to show for it.” No wealth remodeling company and that it was sell because “we wanted to create jobs forthere. That happened to several of her worth something. But we had to start all others and value that would outlast ourentrepreneurial friends. over after laying off 7 out of 8 employees. ownership,” she says. That strengthened our desire to sell. Just Service business owners are often The Impact of Closingpassionate about starting and growing— Keys to Gettingyet less focused on ultimately selling their Your Company in Schenck, who is now a businesscompanies. Without a sense of the “end Sale-Ready Shape strategist and author of Selling Yourgame,” though, they may make things more Business for Dummies, laments that toodifficult for themselves in the long run. Here are some of the top tips successful many entrepreneurs build and close rather business owners have used to get their than build and sell their service businesses.The Sellable business in sale-ready shape: “You’re leaving a whole, final round ofCompany Mindset ■■ Document repeatable systems value unharvested!” she exclaims. ■■ Track the numbers, like EBITDA, debt For some business owners, building That’s a particular problem for women.to sell wasn’t part of the original DNA. loan, and profits According to some sources, women are“When we first started our company, we ■■ Build a team with decision- five times as likely to close their doorsdidn’t intend to sell. We didn’t even have as their exit strategy—leaving money onan exit strategy in place,” says Nellie making power so customers have the table when they need it most. Why?Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, a business confidence in your staff—not just you Wherever they live in the world, womenfiling and compliance company. “But ■■ Make sure contracts—for key live longer—up to six years longer—after eight years [her earlier company, employees, leases, and IP than men, reports the World HealthMyCorporation.com] was approached by ownership—are transferrable Organization. They need that money toIntuit for a partnership. We soon noticed ■■ Innovate, so your business has a take care of themselves (and leaving asidean opportunity for that partnership to turn special edge. For example, Bell’s those who already head their householdsinto an acquisition-type of deal.” Which it company designed a “point system” and/or are primary breadwinner).did, for $20 million. to objectively evaluate the right translator for a project—normally a There is the financial impact of Bell attributes her focus on a saleable subjective and difficult process caretaking, especially for the “Sandwichbusiness—partly—to a generational shift. ■■ Take a 3-week vacation to test your Generation.” They are spending millionsShe started In Every Language while still systems. (If you’re away for only of dollars on their children—who mayin her mid-20s. “I think that Gen X, Gen one week, people will wait until you be staying at home longer and whoseY, and Millennials may bring a different return, cautions Schenck) job prospects are mixed—and providingsensibility to their business,” she says. for parents who are living longer. And,“We’re not looking at the next 30, 40, or according to Investopedia, they are doing50 years of our life believing ‘I want to do so when they also need to be planningthis forever.’” Unlike earlier generations and saving for their own retirement.where people stayed put in a job or family More telling, more than two-thirds ofbusiness for one’s entire career, Bell says, those caregivers are women who, reports“I never went into this saying ‘I’ll do this Caregiver.org, may spend up to 50% morefor the rest of my life.’” time than male caregivers. As Schenck points out, “most businesses close because they’re blind-90 enterprising Women

sided by what they didn’t anticipate—like It allowed us to start our next ventures businesses build grow,health conditions, divorce, partner issues, while still running the company.” Schenck and sell. Nina is passionatenecessary relocation, boredom, the need agrees. She likens getting a business about assisting businessto free up cash to put your child through ready for sale to getting a car detailed. owners in creating fast-college. Business owners say they’ll get “Once it looks and feels great it’s not only growing companies thatready and deal with this later—but ‘later’ easier to sell, it’s also more enjoyable to run themselves—allowingcomes too soon. If the business isn’t sale- own,” she says. “That’s one big reason to maximum freedomready, it closes. And with that, the final get a business into sale-ready shape.” for the owner. Nina is also a speaker,round of value goes.” consultant, and host of the popular Business Nina Kaufman, Esq. is an SBA award- Breakthrough podcast (on iTunes at http://Getting Into winning attorney whose firm provides legal ow.ly/LVFip). She is a member of theSale-Ready Shape and business counsel to help service Enterprising Women Advisory Board. Like exercise, you don’t step foot in IF YOU’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE,the gym expecting to become Ms. Olympia YOU KNOW WHICH ROAD TO TAKEovernight. It takes a shift in mindset. Intraining. In your operations. The most www.noonanworks.comimportant thing you can do is start to shift [email protected] business so it can function withoutyou. A simple concept—but not always (646) 337-0566easy to implement. “A business that sells has systemsthat can survive without its owner,” saysSchenck. “That way, key clients feelgood that they will be taken care of if andwhen you leave.” Bell adds, “For manyservice businesses, the owner is the spine.Yank out the spine, and the whole bodycollapses. Instead, be the muscle, andhave your systems be the spine. The newcompany can always put their muscleto work so the growth continues.” That’swhat gives a company its value. Whether or not you’re eager to sellnow, there are great benefits to gettingyour business in sale-ready shape. First, you can capitalize on marketchanges. Bell had been approachedwith acquisition offers as early as yeartwo. Because she had been building thecompany to run without her, she had theoption to hold out for more money. If shedidn’t get what she wanted, she was happyto keep running the business—unlikeother colleagues, who were ready to retireand desperate to unload the business(which they did for far less). Bell also kepther eye on important macro-indicators inthe M&A economy, and micro-indicatorsin the translation industry. When she sawthe market was about to crest, In EveryLanguage was in great shape to sell. More importantly, it frees up yourtime. As Kristianson notes, “Near the end,we were working fewer and fewer hoursbecause of the systems we put in place. enterprising Women 91

spotlightby Natalie SextonNatalie’s Orchid Island Juice CompanyGenerations of Women Changingthe Way Americans Drink JuiceIam often in awe of my mother, Marygrace Sexton, and the Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company and time to captain the enterprise, experts say entrepreneurial role she played in is having the time of her life. they are missing necessary life experienceestablishing the authentic, fresh squeezed and skill sets to keep the businessjuice company that bears my name, Being born second-generation into running successfully.Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company. this business, I’m coming onto the scene with a solid foundation already in place. I The next generation’s level of As the wife of a successful citrus grove won’t have the thrill and life experience of commitment and passion for the businessowner who was busy running a Florida building something entirely new from the are also called into question, which maybased fruit packinghouse operation at the ground-up.  And there are plenty of studies explain why a significant number of multi-time, she took it upon herself – finding that suggest that missing out on this key generational businesses end up failing.somewhere deep down inside the drive, component of the entrepreneurial journey Only 30% make it! Hence the curse.and the talent to branch out on her own can spell trouble for the next generation,and fulfill the family’s dream of creating its especially when it comes time for them But it doesn’t have to be this way.own specialty brand of quality fruit juices. to take over the reins (it’s called the “no While I recognize that my mother struggle” factor). has put before me the opportunity of a She did not set out to be a nationally lifetime with this successful business sheacclaimed juice producer; she simply Have you heard of this next generation has established, there are still incrediblewanted to provide juice for her family that “curse”?   The thinking goes that children challenges facing my sister and me as wewas fresh, without additives and made destined to take over a family business work with my mother to expand the brandwith local fruit. She ran with that dream, are often times coddled and protected beyond the 30 states and 24 countriesovercoming every strategic challenge in by their parents, and ultimately sheltered where we currently enjoy sales. Andher path – all the time, carrying my little from taking real risks and suffering real anyone who’s ever run a business wheresister and me in tow! Now, she heads-up failures. They don’t have to go through weather and the latest pestilence strainsthe award-winning, ever expanding, the same struggles as their parents who are fickle silent partners, knows success is started the business. So when it comes a delicate balance.92 enterprising Women

Below are the five top reasons we’re c4h.oLoestegtoo, when you 5. Succeed and Repeatconfident Natalie’s Orchid Island Juices let gowill continue for many generations to Remember the things that madecome. These are guidelines to help any All parents have trouble letting their you successful – and repeat thementrepreneur adequately judge the viability with your children if they chooseof letting the family continue with the “babies” go—whether that baby is a to embrace the challenge of beingbusiness once it’s time to move on to the next generation to take over thegreener pastures. biological or a commercial one. But just as business. And treat your employees with the same respect.t1o. LDeotnY’ot ubreKAidfrsaiFdail good entrepreneurial parents need to give Natalie Sexton is director of My mother will be the first to tell you their children a chance to fail, so must they marketing and the namesake of Natalie’sthis is the toughest challenge of them all. Orchid Island Juice Company.It’s just natural that a maternal instinct will adopt a hands off policy when the nexthave every entrepreneurial parent tryingto save their children from the pitfalls generation takes over the helm and directsof life – the slings and arrows they’vesuffered. She understands very well the the enterprise into new markets. They haveimportance of trial and error, success andfailure. She was especially conscious of faith in what they have taught their childrenletting my sister and I stumble throughsome tough business lessons on our own and know they will do them proud.– giving us much needed experience onseeing how the business is run, firsthand. BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AND REPUTATION2. Stay committed The Protocol School ofto a core set of values Washington provides expertise in protocol, At Natalie’s, our family continues to business etiquette andbe committed to the Florida farmer and communications skillsremains dedicated to providing local around the world usingand global markets with the best quality the highest educationalproduct available. Squeezing clean label, standards.fresh Florida juice is a labor of love butone that we hope nourishes and givesback to our consumers on a daily basis.We stick by this credo and weigh the valueof every business decision against it.  Liveyour company’s mission statement, and besure your children understand, honor andlive it, as well.3. Know Your Next CLASSROOM TRAINING ORGeneration’s Passions PRIVATE, ON-SITE TRAINING Accredita tion with ACCET.org I’m going to hope that if I wantedto become the next Jennifer Lawrence Visit www.psow.eduand had followed along some path I was or call 202.575.5600passionate about, my mother would havethe good sense to let me roll with it—andnot trap, as some entrepreneurs do, theirchildren in a career for which they have nointerest. Since my acting chops aren’t sogreat, it was clear my love for our state’swonderful bounty of the citrus producewas what I was destined to be involvedwith.  And I have used my passion forcommunicating and marketing its benefitsto carve out a satisfying career here. enterprising Women 93

PERSONAL GROWTHby Pamela EyringWFinhdeinngYWouoArkr/eLitfheeBBaolasnsceWhen project-management systems maker Workfront asked position and you should reap the benefits work, the passion and creativity of every working women to identify the of your efforts. However, that doesn’t one of my employees. Because I havebiggest obstacle in obtaining the perfect mean that your priority list cannot be carefully built a core group of trustedwork/life balance, the leading answer from edited and rearranged from time to time. women (and men!) who have proven theirall respondents was “bad bosses.” loyalty and dedication, I can often step Reaching the top might have topped back, get out of their way, and watch great A bad boss can certainly make life your list in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, but things things happen.difficult for working women, especially if change. If you have a family, a child or athe chief is particularly demanding, lacking significant other, you will no doubt feel the When you hire great employees, youin empathy or has no interest in the long- demands that these intimate relationships can delegate responsibilities, end theterm happiness of her employees. make on your time. But this is when, as a micromanaging and find the work/life boss, you can take charge of your own self, balance that can make you successful both But what happens if you are the boss, just like you would any other employee. professionally and personally.the CEO, or the captain of your owncompany? How do women who have Make a list of what is most important Flex Timeworked so hard to get to the top make to you and begin allocating your timesure they maintain a balanced life between and energy wisely to ensure the most As the head of my own company, I havetheir job and their personal lives? important things don’t get left behind. worked with many employees who needed flexibility in their schedules or their workPrioritize Your Life Hire Power location. As technology continues to impact how, where and when we work, If you are the boss, you’ve no doubt As the owner and president of a I’ve seen that flex time and workingput business success high on your list of successful company, I can directly remotely can be successful solutions topriorities. You’ve worked hard for your attribute our success to one thing: my work/life balancing acts. team. I am nothing if not for the hard94 enterprising Women

Because of our success in these areas, an old friend at lunch? Because of the etiquette and cross-cultural awarenessI see that, even as the company head, I can constant demands on both sides of your training. With offices in Washington, D.C.occasionally work at home and don’t feel life, make sure you luxuriate in doing the and Dubai, the school was founded in 1988the pressure of being in the office full time things that energize, refresh and reconnect and is the only U.S. educational institutionto be a successful leader. Again, it comes you to your own self. of its kind accredited by the Accreditingback to having good employees who won’t Council for Continuing Education and Trainingtake advantage of your physical absence. I Pamela Eyring is the owner and president (ACCET.org). For more information, visitam a text, Skype session or phone call away of The Protocol School of Washington®, the www.psow.edu. Pamela is a member ofand I can still lead without being onsite. global leader in international protocol, business the Enterprising Women Advisory Board.Unplug to reconnect We all know that callers prefer a live person on the other end of the phone--a person who can answer questions, Even if you are out of the office on make appointments, or resolve an issue.personal time or on vacation, there isa real tendency to stay connected on a The Legacy Connection is an award-winningfull-time basis—especially when you are answering service that represents you whenthe boss. But when you’re continuously you are not available. We are part of yourconnected via instant messages, service team--providing the TLC your callersemails and phone calls, you cannot be deserve.successfully engaged with your friends,family or focus on your personal interests. Contact me for information on our Robin Bailey, Owner customized caller solutions. I’ll personally When you are on personal time, I advise create a program that will work for yourthat you alert employees to only contact you business... and your budget.in an emergency or set a certain time of theday to check in with the office and catch It will be our pleasure to impress your callers on your behalf!up on emails. It’s really a matter of settingboundaries (and back to that priority list) to ● Overflow callsensure that down time is your time. ● After-hours callsMeditate/exercise/diet ● Emergency dispatch Mention It may seem obvious, but you cannot ● Text, fax, email Enterprisingpossibly function as a successful leader Women for awithout being in shape and in charge of message deliveryyour body, mind and soul. Neglecting “Try TLC”nutrition, exercise and sleep—as well as a speciallack of personal joy—has taken down themightiest of CEOs. So make sure you are Answering every caller with TLC...Since 1955not a casualty of your own hardworkingself. Be mindful of what your body and Toll Free: 1-800-250-5160soul are lacking and take the time you [email protected] • www.CallerConnection.comneed to hit the reset button.Me Time As a CEO or company president, youare juggling the needs, wants, expectationsand demands of staff, clients, colleagues,a board of directors and any number ofother people jockeying for your undividedattention. On the personal side, you mayalso be taking care of children, spouses,partners or other family members. Butwhat about you? When was the last time you took timeto read a book? When was the last timeyou took an extra hour to reconnect with enterprising Women 95

PERSONAL GROWTHby Deborah DelaneyAre you Prepared to Will I be discriminated due to my sexualbe a Caregiver or a orientation, religion or race?Care Receiver?On Christmas Eve morning in 2009, care and can’t stay home alone. I had My business is 12-years-old and if there I was pulling the cinnamon rolls become a vulnerable adult. My husband is one thing I have learned it is “To Age is a from the oven and worrying about and I were not prepared to be a caregiver Privilege” and yet the aging journey is one of the most disrespected life journey. Mypreparations for 25 guests arriving for that or care receiver. cancer journey has taught me to respect the aging process and embrace it. We allevening’s festivities. At that moment, the In my business I witness this every age from the time we are born. Aging is not 55+. It starts at birth.phone rang with news that would change day with families. A health crisis occurs It is hard to embrace aging as mostmy life, ultimately for the better. and most often no-one is prepared to be a of us fear it. We fear what we create in our mind. We can take all the measures“I want you to know that your [breast] caregiver or care receiver. There is no plan humanly possible to look young. But the end result is that we age.biopsy came back as cancerous,” a nurse in place describing the type of care and I have since put a plan in place toinformed me. After a few moments of support needed for their loved one. age with dignity and enjoy the aging journey. We specifically discuss in ourconversation with the nurse I returned We all age differently. We all have our plan what type of support we want in the event a health crisis strikes. The planthe phone to the receiver, looked at my own traditions, values and preferences in addresses the needs to support each of our traditions, values and preferences. Somehusband and started to cry. life that need to be supported. Supporting of the questions we addressed:“I’m going to die,” I thought. these elements helps one age with dignity How will I be able to continue to exercise or participate in activities IThen I composed myself and thought, and respect. enjoy (golf, yoga)? How will I be able to maintain seven to“I have to get this thing out of me.” My Are you prepared to be a caregiver or nine restful hours of sleep a night? How will I be able to meet with friendshusband, Dale, sat down next to me and care receiver? How many times during and family? How will I stay on top of medical andput his arm around me and said, ‘It’s going the past year have you asked yourself dental appointments? Are my legal and financial papers,to be OK. I underwent chemotherapy and this question or even asked for a family including wills, in order and available? Do I have a “just in case” folder readyradiation over several months and got a member, friend or a loved one? with my passwords to access my computer records, etc.?positive prognosis: There’s a 95 percent As we age it is often a very realistic How will I ensure that I am maintaining a healthy lifestyle?probability that I will live at least another question to ponder. Now imagine if you had My husband and I are prepared to be a15 years. “I’ll take that,” I thought as “I’ve to ask yourself, if I am accepted into an caregiver or a care receiver. Having a plan in place and owning our aging journey hasgot a business to run.” assisted living or nursing home community, provided us with peace of mind.My cancer journey increased my will the staff know my culture and support Own your aging journey. It is a privilege to age.passion for my business providing adult me with the dignity, love and compassion I DEBORAH DELANEYday care for individuals who need extra deserve as an elder of a different culture? leads Minnesota-based Touching Lives Adult Day Services and is a member of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board.96 enterprising Women

Healthy you by Judi Sheppard MissettGrow Your Life’s Garden The sun is shining, the birds are always come naturally. In fact, there may but will also attract others to you.chirping and the flowers are blooming— be situations and people that downright Flexibility: Promise to never be so setspring is finally upon us! This bright, warm infuriate you. However, you’ll not only in your ways that you cannot so muchseason represents regrowth and renewal successfully diffuse a charged situation, as accept that there may be other pointsof all kinds, with nature itself serving as but also make your own day happier of view. Learn to listen. Learn to learn.our prime example. when you give people a piece of your Learn to grow. heart rather than your mind—even those Contribution: Perhaps the greatest When you think of your physical, who least deserve it. meaning we can draw from life is whatmental, and emotional health in terms of Gratitude: It can be easy to focus on we give back to it. Find a tangible waya spring garden, what does it look like? and gripe about the things we don’t in which who you are, what you say,Is it green and lush, or could it use a little have, but have you ever reflected and what you do brings renewed hope,tender loving care? Whether you realize on all the things you do have? Like inspiration, and life to others around you.you could de-stress more often, practice perpetuates like, so the more you arecompassion, or recharge your workout grateful for the positive things in your Which seeds come naturally to you androutine, spring is the perfect time to renew life, the more positive things will keep which could use more attention? Once youyour health in every way. coming your way. define your areas of strength as well as Passion: Every one of us has a unique those that need growth, realize you must To achieve our optimal health and purpose for being on this planet. Find out direct your thoughts, energy and focus tofitness, we must promise to do ourselves what yours is and channel it every day. making these seeds burst into beautifulthe favor of consistently planting, Let it be what motivates you and allow it blooms. Start planting and cultivating onlywatering, and nurturing only the most to breathe life into all that you do. the best seeds in your life’s garden!positive seeds that will cause our life’s Curiosity: Always attempt to maintaingardens to bloom and thrive. your sense of childlike wonder. There is Judi Sheppard Missett so much beauty to behold and so much created the originalSeeds to Plant this Spring: yet to learn all around us, if we only take dance party workout a moment to realize it. and started the fitness Vitality: This attribute relates directly Determination: Life happens and revolution that became to your physical body. Taking the best sometimes it doesn’t happen exactly our Jazzercise. Today—more care of yourself and consistently making way. It’s ok to be down, but never count than 45 years later— your basic human needs like eating yourself out. Learn to take your hits, Jazzercise is one of the well, sleeping enough and exercising a dust yourself off, and keep on pressing world’s leading dance fitness companies. As priority will much better equip you to forward towards your ultimate goal. Founder and CEO, Judi leads a team of more deal with the stresses and challenges of Cheerfulness: Undoubtedly not than 8,300 franchisees teaching 32,000+ the outside world—not to mention you’ll every situation is good, but being able classes each week around the world. Judi look and feel as fresh and bright as a to find the good in every situation is a member of the Enterprising Women spring bloom! is a rare quality that will not only Advisory Board and has been inducted into Confidence: This trait embodies faith help you through challenging times the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame. For in yourself and is the most oriented more information, visit jazzercise.com. towards your success both personally and professionally. Do all you can to cultivate and grow genuine confidence within yourself that doesn’t depend on any validation other than your own. Love: Arguably one of the greatest emotions known to humankind, love has the unparalleled ability to disarm just about any form of negativity. Whether your family, friends, a pet, or the reflection staring back at you in the mirror, try to actively love something each and every day. Kindness: Unlike love, kindness doesn’t enterprising Women 97

ENDNOTEby Susan MichelTechnology: The Choice is OursAt the Enterprising Women of the continuous flow of innovation which, if we choose between two separate paths. Year Awards Conference, Pamela actively take part in, can allow each of our Many people believe that women are Prince-Eason, President and businesses to rise to new levels.CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise under utilizers of technology. The factsNational Council, and I led a seminar So how can we take advantage of paint a different picture. According tofocused on technology. today’s technology to lead our businesses a recent Pew Research Institute Study and personal lives to these new levels? women own a higher percentage of tablets, Pamela began the discussion by e-readers, and game consoles.analyzing how women can use technology The first step is understanding howto partner with one another to bring their technology has changed our impact as Nearly one-third of all women considerbusinesses to new levels. Next, I helped leaders in the business world and within themselves “early adopters” willing toour participants visualize the extent that society as a whole. One of the biggest buy cutting-edge consumer technology.technology has changed their respective advantages technology has provided It is this willingness of women to adaptindustries over the years. women is flexibility. We now have the to innovation that will continue to make flexibility to expand ourselves beyond the technology integral to everything they One only has to think of the music stereotypes of the mid-twentieth century. do. With these facts in mind, I see it asindustry, which went from highlighting no coincidence that a recent Dow Jonesthe Billboard 100 to the iTunes 100, or Women today often use technology study found that successful startups havethe medical industry, which transformed to meet their goals of building a career more women in senior positions thanfrom a paternalistic system to one of self- and raising a family, often without having unsuccessful ones .diagnosis with webmd.com and other to give up the entirety of one for theweb-based sites, to comprehend the other. This is not to say that having a Technology allows us to have animpact of technology. family and a career does not involve amplified effect on our personal and compromise, but rather that technology professional lives. We, as women leaders, Leading a financial services firm, has provided women with the flexibility need to realize that technology can alsothis self-reflective exercise always helps to more easily reach their goals in both be used as a way to empower each other.me keep recent industry changes in areas of their lives by decreasing the For example, women are more likely toperspective as well. It is amazing to time it takes to accomplish tasks and participate in social networking and socialconsider the fact that the financial industry increasing their ability to be effective media . How are we, though, as womenwent from a profession where only a when out of the office. Essentially, leaders, choosing to use this to helpselect group of men had access to market technology has created a middle way spread our messages to a wider audienceinformation through stock prices that were for women who historically have had to while also increasing our connection withwritten on chalk boards to one where I other women?can download iPhone applications likeCircleBlack, which can instantly aggregate I encourage each of us to chooseall of my stock investments and inform me to actively use technology to createof my performance. innovative ideas, choose to maintain our personal and professional values and Despite the seemingly daunting goals as we incorporate technology intoimplications of our time travel exercise, your everyday lives, and choose to usehowever, the session’s participants technology as a source of empowermentrealized that while each generation has to and interconnectedness for, and with,inevitably cope with new technological other women business leaders.changes, the “business winners” arealways those that find ways to adapt while Susan McGlory Michel leads Glen Eagleremaining true to their business’ core Advisors, LLC. A member of the Enterprisingmission and values. Women Advisory Board, learn more about her company at www.gleneagleadv.com. History has shown that the recipe forsuccess in a technologically changing 1 http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/10/29/theenvironment is really just a change of demographics-of-device-ownership/perspective. Technology does not need tobe an impending wave of tranformation 2 http://www.forbes.com/sites/womenintech/2012/10/09/do-women-that will crash upon us but rather can be a make-startups-more-successful-if-so-how/#28368c93390e 3 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/women-lead- technology-trends-ch-6-excerpt-dr-tracey-wilen98 enterprising Women

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