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.

Rebecca Wayman, Realty ONE Group Inclusion

How long have you been in business?

11  years

How long in your field of expertise?

12  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Feeling like I can’t take time off, but I love what I do

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

I love helping people find their perfect home, it can be a stressful time and I love doing my best to make it as stress free as possible.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Find what you love to do, that will help you get through the tougher times.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My friends, family, and clients

Nikki Petitt, Savannah Blinds, Shutters & Shades

How long have you been in business?

17 years

How long in your field of expertise?

17 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

The most challenging portion has been adapting to the shifting changes in the industry. New innovative products have been coming out back to back recently so we have had a lot of training to learn all the new features. We’ve also had to curb customer taste with the compliance from the Federal Government implementing child safety laws regarding cords. We’ve enjoyed however, educating our customers on the options and how great they are for the longevity of your products.

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

I’m most rewarded by seeing the impact we have on our customers’ homes and businesses. We believe window treatments are just not a functional product but transformative for your space. They can change the entire environment for your home or business.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Don’t be afraid of asking questions and showing up for yourself to learn. There is always something to be learned as you grow your business and you won’t know it all from the start. More people than you know want to see you succeed.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My husband. He is always there to help me succeed in my business ventures and projects. Just recently, he has been instrumental in helping conceptualize a couple of projects and a new layout for our trade show booth.

Jessica Holder, Insurance by Jessica Holder

How long have you been in business?

7 years

How long in your field of expertise?

7  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Dealing with the constant changes in Health Insurance.

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

Helping her clients get better health insurance for less.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Do what you love

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

All of my clients

Blake Forkner, Meikas Helping Paws

How long have you been in business?

6 years

How long in your field of expertise?

12  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Humans, ha!

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

Training service dogs and helping dogs overcome behavior issues to have a better life

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

You can do it.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

Her clients.

Amanda Younger, Field Trip Frenzy

How long have you been in business?

 3  years

How long in your field of expertise?

20+  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Life outside of work. My house was hit hard during the hurricanes and I had to live in a hotel for 6 weeks.

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

I do everything for the kids. Learning while having fun.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Never give up.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

Each other.

Lesley C Francis, Lesley Francis PR, Inc

How long have you been in business?

12 years

How long in your field of expertise?

35 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Revenue growth year on year for 12 straight years

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

Developing the careers of my smart, energetic group of young women (and future business leaders)

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Seek the right balance between career, family, church and community.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My team - Krystyn, Allie, Catherine, Katelynn, Kelsey and Brittany

Catherine Sanders, Creek to Coast Marketing and Events

How long have you been in business?

5  years

How long in your field of expertise?

10  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Being a small business owner is very challenging.

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

Making clients happy.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Support other small business owners in the community.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

Clients

Heidi Fedak, Richmond Hill Friends of the Library

How long have you been in business?

I have been involved with Richmond Hill Friends of the Library off and on for close to a decade. I established my company, Lede Communications, in early 2024. 

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Balancing personal, professional and volunteer responsibilities can be challenging.   

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

I find it incredibly rewarding to help people, whether that's providing crisis-communications guidance, recommending books at Friends of the Library book sales or raising money for library programs. 

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Be kind. Lead with kindness first.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

The members of the Richmond Hill Friends of the Library are the best team and cheerleaders. They make magic happen every day.

Sally Rejas, American Legion, JE Lanier Post 27

How long have you been in business?

3 years

How long in your field of expertise?

Over 20 years in Leadership- Certified in Strategic Leadership

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

The challenge is staying involved within the community and to comply with the District four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.

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

The most rewarding part of leading The American Legion Post 27 would likely be the sense of community and camaraderie that develops among veterans and their families.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Be authentically you!

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

Husband Daryl, daughter Savelly, son Jr, and all her military sisters who served along with her.

Melissa Thurston, Summit Homes & Land, LLC

How long have you been in business?

20 years

How long in your field of expertise?

20 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

I believe the most challenging part of being a real estate agent and property manager is that you are basically never “off”. Finding the balance between work hours, family time & self care can be tough.

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

The most rewarding part of working as a real estate agent has definitely been all of the clients and customers that I have met. It is truly gratifying to help someone realize the dream of homeownership and to help sellers close one door to open another. Our motto at Summit has always been to HELP people find or sell homes rather than SELL them. I believe that is what has contributed to my continued success with loyal clients and repeat customers.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

The best advice I could give to another female that is looking to get into the real estate industry would be to first understand that it is a 7 day a week job. You will be in a position of customer service and the public will expect you to answer them on their schedule and not your schedule. You will need to be available and accessible when you are being called, messaged and emailed. It is a demanding business and you have to work at it each and every day for optimal success. The goal is to build life long clientele.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My biggest cheerleader and mentor is Teresa Palumbo, the owner of Summit Homes & Land. I was a school teacher when I first met her and she saw something in me that I never knew I had. I started out working for her in the afternoons after teaching my first graders. Teresa offered me the opportunity to change careers and encouraged me to take a leap of faith! She guided me, taught me and helped me get my real estate license in 2005, the same year she opened Summit Homes and Land....the rest is history.

Jennifer Taylor, Renegade Paws Rescue

How long have you been in business?

6 years

How long in your field of expertise?

12  years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

One of the most challenging aspects is having limited resources. Every day, we are faced with tough decisions: how to allocate funds, how to prioritize cases, and how to support the community while ensuring we stay afloat. Another major challenge is emotional exhaustion. We see the most heartbreaking situations. Neglected animals and owners are in crisis, and we cannot save them all. Compassion fatigue is real for not only me but my team as well. The staff and volunteers are strong and amazing at our organization. It inspires me. Then there is navigating relationships: with the public, adopters, fosters, volunteers, donors and local government. Advocacy for animal welfare requires diplomacy, persistence and sometimes pushing against systems that do not prioritize lifesaving efforts. And of course, there is the never-ending need for funding. As a grassroots nonprofit, we rely on donations, we are not funded in any way by the city, county or even state. But despite all of this the mission keeps us going. Knowing that every dog saved, every family helped (dogs are family) and every policy changed makes a real impact.

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

Seeing the direct impact on both the animals and the people we help. Every time a scared, sick or unwanted dog finds a loving home, it is a reminder of why we do this work. Watching a once-neglected dog blossom into a beloved family member is incredibly fulfilling. Beyond the animals, it is the people—helping families keep their pets through our community support programs, seeing fosters step up and fall in love with rescue and our mission, and witnessing volunteers, staff and adopters become lifelong advocates for animal welfare. It is also rewarding to a part of a movement that is changing the way animal rescue works. Renegade isn’t just about saving dogs—it is about creating a community where everyone belongs, where animal welfare is inclusive, and where compassion and empathy drive everything we do. The ripple effect of that work—helping an adopter find their best friend, giving an inmate hope through a program like Operation New Hope, or supporting a domestic violence survivor by keeping their pet safe, makes the struggle worth it.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

The best advice I can give to other female leaders—especially in animal welfare and non-profit, where the work is relentless and emotionally charged—is to stand firm in your mission, trust your instincts, and never let anyone make you feel like you do not belong at the table. Leadership is not about having all the answers, it is about surrounding yourself with the right people, listening and making the best decisions with the information you have. Build a strong support system, leadership can feel lonely but you do not have to do it alone. Set boundaries and take care of yourself. Learn to say no when necessary, delegate and learn to prioritize yourself as well. Most importantly, lift others up, especially other women, The best leaders create more leaders. There is room at the top for all of us and the stronger we are together the more change we can create.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My Staff, my volunteers, and my leadership team.

Patti Todd, Joseph M. Harley, Jr. & Associates, Inc.

How long have you been in business?

5 years

How long in your field of expertise?

5 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

The most challenging but fun part of running this business has been staying on top of the constantly evolving insurance industry.

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

The most rewarding part of running my business is meeting new people and helping them with their insurance needs.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

My advice to other female entrepreneurs is follow your dreams. You can do anything that you put your mind to!

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My biggest cheerleaders are my family (My Mom, Husband and two children.