Q&A with Business Women Who Make a Difference in Our Community

The National Women’s Business Council reports that women-owned businesses “contribute substantially to entrepreneurship in the United States.” 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women (13 million) and employ more than 9.4 million workers. Women are three percentage points more likely to start a business than men. Here we celebrate women in our community who are making a name for themselves while lifting up others in the process.

Taylor Matthews
CEO, Sparkling Queens

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Since 2020

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

I opened Sparkling Queens in 2020, I opened FOOD Richmond Hill in 2017, and I started working at New Life Church in 2018.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

I am also a mom to a son with autism, so sometimes it can be challenging to be mom and a businesswoman. Also, learning how to navigate COVID has made things interesting for sure.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The people! I love the people that I have the opportunity to meet and work with! Seeing them thrive is so rewarding. Also working with Cleaning for a Reason and providing free cleanings for cancer patients is so rewarding!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Don’t quit, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not worth it! It’s not always easy, and there will be people who don’t want to cheer you on along the way. Don’t listen to them!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband and my coworkers 100%!

Jennie (Vandenhouten) Comparetto
Nurse Practitioner, Georgia Skin and Cancer Clinic

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲?

Joined GSCC in 2000 as a medical assistant. Advanced to  a LPN followed by RN and left the clinic around 2006. Returned as a Nurse Practitioner in 2016-current.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Medicine 24 years. Dermatology on and off for 24 years.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

There are many challenges that present themselves frequently in the ever-changing field of medicine. Some of the current challenges are trying to get medication to help a patient in need when we are met by constant obstacles dictated by insurance companies. It is extremely challenging to sit in front of a patient who is in serious need when you know a medication can help them, but you have to fight insurance companies and be a persistent patient advocate in order to get the medication. We are met with difficult obstacles and overwhelming paperwork that must be submitted in order to “plead our case” on the patient’s behalf. All while we are at the mercy of a stranger in another state following a unknown protocol that can decide our patients fate without knowing the severity and disease state and its impact on the patients daily physical and mental health.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬?

As challenging as the medical field is, keep trying to be the change. It sounds cliche, but women offer a unique quality to the field of medicine. We are a complex being, we think differently than our male counterparts and that can be a real gift to our patients. Many of us are not only thriving in medicine, but we are also balancing raising children, running our homes, serving our communities, etc. To quote two current powerhouse females in entertainment, “Who runs the world? Girls”! (Beyoncé) and Ms. Taylor Swift “If I was a man, I’d be the man”! I kid, I kid, or do I? #wink

Nisha Giustino
Founder/President, Operation Kid Forward

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

2.5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

15 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

TIME, some days I wake up at 5am to start my days. Trying to run a successful nonprofit, building my new Company, and raising 3 kids is sometimes a lot to multi-task.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The smiles and hugs we receive from the youth we serve; The Board of Directors seeing an idea we work very hard on come to fruition.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

I have been told being an entrepreneur is sometimes “Ghetto,” I can confirm this statement. You will have bad days but remember why you started and stick with it. Don’t compare your success with others, surround yourself with others who have the same ambition, and no matter how small, celebrate your wins! Buy those new pair of shoes, take that spa day, you deserve it!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband Rocco. Sometimes I may fall short with my parental duties due to being stretched thin. He is there to pick up my slack and always has a bottle of wine waiting on me when I finally get home!

Last, my Board of Directors: VP Vernon Donovan, Dominque Walker, Andre Petorius, Marilu Michel, Kate Lummus, Kathleen Rine, Rich Caponi, Mihir Patel, LaTricia Brown, Rochelle Crowder, Taylour Maggart, Lataya Hunt, and Sheryl Jones. I appreciate all your hardwork! Every crazy idea I pitch you get on board and say “let’s do it”—I truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to our mission!

Bailie White
Motivational Speaker, Bailie White & Co.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

7+ Years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Even though I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 7 years (having sold my first company at age 27), I am less than one year into the public speaking field. It’s exciting to be new!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Empowering the younger generation of women below me to take ownership of their own lives is the most rewarding part of what I do, bar none. Speaking on stages and watching college-aged women become inspired by hearing my story, or staying after my speech to express how much I’ve encouraged them is something I will never take for granted.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Entrepreneurship itself has a thousand challenges both big and small that we face every day. For me, the most challenging was introducing the title “Mom” into my personal world of business. Being a woman in business is something I’ve always been proud of, but taking on being a mom in business is a challenge I’m proud to face every day!.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Don’t be afraid to be an originator! Being a woman in business can look a million different ways -- embrace that! Don’t feel like your entrepreneurial journey has to look like anyone else’s. Make it your own!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband, my dad, and my mom. There’s no competition!

Reva Triantos
Owner/Artist, Blushed Bakes

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Three Years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

14+ Years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

In my industry; Production costs and profit. For two main reasons:

1. Unfortunately, with the recent increase in the cost of ingredients and supplies it’s been a real challenge to keep the cost of materials at an ideal rate. And since we have little control over that part and are unwilling to compromise on the value of the actual product we are putting out; I have to focus on the part I can control which is the time input and actual production of creating the product which brings me to the second part of this challenge.

2. When you’re in a custom artistry niche (like wedding cakes in my case), the time it takes to craft the product often presents a challenge to create a truly sustainable profit margin. I see many people in my industry quit for this reason alone. I think niching down and focusing on providing value, has helped resolve a lot of this for me and also has many marketing benefits.

I place a lot of focus on the value of both the work we are putting out, and also experience I’m bringing my clients throughout the entire process. And in return, I’m blessed with the most supportive and loyal clients in the world who spread the word and support us. Because of this, we have no marketing budget. We haven’t needed one. Which increases the profit margin alone, but also creates exclusivity and community, and allows us to charge more for our work, which keeps us in business and leads to more fulfillment in general.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

I don’t think it’s a secret that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! I think almost every artist dreams of someday having the opportunity to create full-time. I’m a single mom and this business fully supports my family which is still crazy to me and is only possible because of our community. The support, feedback, and loyalty from our little community has been incredible! I’ve also just recently begun mentoring a couple of young ladies hoping to break into the industry and create their own businesses which has been incredible rewarding!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

•  Pick ONE thing and MASTER it;

•  Niche down;

•  Stay committed to creating and providing VALUE;

•  Find a mentor;

•  Fail fast. Then adjust the systems;

•  Prioritize your systems;

•  Always ask for feedback;

•  Create a community;

•  Pay yourself first;

•  Stay on top of your accounting;

•  Set boundaries and know your ideal client;

•  Spend your time in the areas that matter most, or yield the most return;

•  Say “yes” to a challenge and invest in your skills/education;

•  Take care of yourself first. How we care for ourselves determines how we show up in every aspect of life.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My greatest cheerleaders are my clients, this community, my kids, and my best friend (who also maybe thinks I’m a little crazy for doing this, but she’s not wrong.)

Rebecca Stratton
Owner, The Skin Studio

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

4 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Almost 12 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Social Media- putting myself out there and being vulnerable. In the past I have worried too much about what others might think or say about me. Owning a business has made me so much stronger, resistant, and most importantly confident in myself.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Being able to have control of my schedule so that I can be present for my son and his life events.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Drink water, exercise, and make time to laugh.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My own personal angel Audrey, my amazing son, family (those both blood related and adopted) and my clients. I would not be where I am without all of their support.

Summer Beal
President/CEO, Richmond Hill Bryan County
Chamber of Commerce

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The Chamber has been in business since 1985. I took the position in May of 2023.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

I’ve been in the Membership, Sponsorship and Event industry for over 20 years. The Chamber industry is something that encompasses all of these skills plus many other specialties.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Learning all of the different facets that Chambers can do for our local community and being able to help in all of these. The Chamber currently consists of 3 employees, including myself and with so many programs we work hard to keep it all going.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Being able to work with my community and the businesses to connect, advocate and grow our local businesses.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Step out of your comfort zone and jump into it. If you continue to do the same thing, you will always get the same results.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My family! My husband, my mother and my children are always cheering me on! They push me to exceed expectations and to continually strive to do better.

Nisha Giustino
Founder/President, Operation Kid Forward

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

2.5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

15 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

TIME, some days I wake up at 5am to start my days. Trying to run a successful nonprofit, building my new Company, and raising 3 kids is sometimes a lot to multi-task.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The smiles and hugs we receive from the youth we serve; The Board of Directors seeing an idea we work very hard on come to fruition.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

I have been told being an entrepreneur is sometimes “Ghetto,” I can confirm this statement. You will have bad days but remember why you started and stick with it. Don’t compare your success with others, surround yourself with others who have the same ambition, and no matter how small, celebrate your wins! Buy those new pair of shoes, take that spa day, you deserve it!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband Rocco. Sometimes I may fall short with my parental duties due to being stretched thin. He is there to pick up my slack and always has a bottle of wine waiting on me when I finally get home!

Last, my Board of Directors: VP Vernon Donovan, Dominque Walker, Andre Petorius, Marilu Michel, Kate Lummus, Kathleen Rine, Rich Caponi, Mihir Patel, LaTricia Brown, Rochelle Crowder, Taylour Maggart, Lataya Hunt, and Sheryl Jones. I appreciate all your hardwork! Every crazy idea I pitch you get on board and say “let’s do it”—I truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to our mission!

Taylor Legge & Brooke Coll
Owners, Joie De Events

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

1 year

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

15 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Our favorite challenge is making unique and creative ideas come to life. Taking the challenges and headaches of past events, eliminating them completely and surpassing the expectation of a successful and joyful event.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Ironically, the most rewarding goes hand in hand with the most challenging. The relief and pride our clients feel in putting on a seamless event for their guests- is so rewarding. Removing headaches and stressors on important occasions so that they can be as present as possible and truly enjoy the joy of whatever the occasion is.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

KEEP GOING! Female entrepreneurs are the now and the future. Find the joy in working with and growing your network. Other business owners have a wealth of knowledge that you can learn and grow from! Keep finding ways to bring joy into all the big and little moments of life- and if you need help, give us a call! There is so much to celebrate EVERY day!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

 Our greatest cheerleaders are our significant others and our kids. A close second is our girlies. They are always on board to listen to what we have coming up next. They show up and are all in anytime of day and night to support us and help us be the best we can be. AND if that wasn’t enough, our past clients are always cheering us on. When someone is publicly asking for advice they are some of the first to recommend us or hop on the hype train with details of their personal successful day!

Tonya Raulerson & Holly Spacek
CEO, Owner, Choreographer, Organizer, Manager, Stepz
Dance Studio

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

15 Years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

15 Years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The most challenging aspect has to be that it can be hard to know the right path to take when positioning a dance studio within the local market to attract new students and retain old students.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The most rewarding part of running a dance studio is I get to do what I love.... while watching our students learn and grow, achieve new goals, and build more self confidence , not only as dancers, but also as people.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

My advise would be to first, believe in yourself! Always be open to accepting challenges, networking and have a master mindset. Time management is key. Never settle, and always, always follow your passion.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

I would have to say my greatest cheerleaders are my family and the students.

Jessica Holder
Insurance Nextdoor

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

3 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

3 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Managing my time between business, three children and home life.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The flexibility of being able to travel with the children during summer vacations and working.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Never give up. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals and stay focused on your goals.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

BNI Richmond Hill Prosperity Partners

Britnee Kinard
Founder and President , SD Gunner Fund 

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

9 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

13 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Employee burnout and simply not having enough people to do the work needed

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Making a positive impact, addressing societal issues, and leaving a philanthropic legacy. It allows you to pursue passions, build connections, and contribute to your community.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Break the mold.

Fight your fears.

Have perseverance as well as passion.

Learn on the job.

Seek out support.

Help others up.

Most of all…believe in what you can do.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My SDGF team, my husband, and our wonderful community.

 
Catherine Sanders
CEO/Owner, Creek to Coast Events, R D Eaton Memorial Foundation and Poppie’s Pals

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

1.5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

I have been working in the event planning space for 3 years and the non-profit space for over 10 years.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Time management. Balancing time spent with the business, the non-profit and my family can sometimes be difficult especially in those times when you’re needed in two (or three) places at the same time.  

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Don’t give up!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

I have a great family that continues to push me and friends that support everything I do!

Shallyn Watt 
Broker/Owner, Compass Realty & Property Management

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

6 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

19 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Being everywhere at the same time.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Helping families find a home.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Smile and wave—you’ve got this!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My team!