Jeffco
Jeffco Business Women Share Insight and Offer Advice By Andrea W. Doray
Getting started…
Special Contributor to CCM
When asked how they got started in their business lives, each woman had a unique story to tell: Kathy Hodgson started as a lifeguard for a swimming pool in Lakewood 30 years ago while still in college, before moving through the ranks of coordinator, manager, and director before taking on the role of City Manager. Fran Coet, who laughed when she described her position as “having a lot of initials” (she is a CPA, CFF, CVA, and CFP), has worked in the accounting field for more than 40 years and has owned her own CPA business with her husband for more than 26 years. Coet began her work life as a bookkeeper in business with her mother, helping to prepare tax returns. Loretta DiTirro said she cut her teeth in corporate America, working for organizations such as Citicorp and American Express, before becoming a real estate agent 11 years ago. Dot Wright was a business owner in Arvada who joined the Chamber for its business benefits. Wright served on the organization’s Board of Directors before being selected as its president more than four years ago. M.L. Richardson said she was fortunate to “get a great education” that helped her compete early on in the traditionally male-dominated mining industry. While advising attorneys in mining law for the federal government, Richardson decided to attend law school herself. After working with the largest molybdenum mine in the world, located here in Colorado near Leadville, she became an attorney for the Jeffco open space program before joining APC. In fact, Richardson said one her greatest achievements was negotiating the part of the Clear Creek trail west of Youngfield St. to Golden. Dot Wright said that significant events in her own career were two-fold, including building a network of great people to work with, as well as turning around a then-floundering business into a success. Fran Coet feels that sitting for her CPA license at age 40 was one of her greatest accomplishments. “My credentials as a CPA are powerful and precious to me,” she said. I was afraid of being ‘stuck’ because I couldn’t go further in my industry without this license.” Hodgson felt that attaining her master’s degree and becoming the first fe-
If preferred, we could use clichés to describe these five women: They have their fingers on the pulse of business in their communities; they have their ears to the ground. Or we could simply say that Fran Coet, Loretta DiTirro, Kathy Hodgson, M.L. Richardson, and Dot Wright are women who know Jeffco business. We recently talked with Coet, DiTirro, Hodgson, Richardson, and Wright about their perspectives on the business climate of Jefferson County and what they see for the future, particularly for women in business. Kathy Hodgson, who has served as Lakewood City Manager for more than three years, spoke for the group when she said, “I feel like there’s hope.” Hodgson said, “There’s real optimism in Lakewood, with the rail line coming in mid-2013. Also, Lakewood citizens are working with government to form grassroots partnerships such as the new arts district near the rail stop at Lamar St. and Colfax Ave.” Fran Coet of Coet & Coet, P.C. is a Certified Public Account licensed by the state of Colorado. Coet said Jefferson County is “in a great place. This is a vital area with a good business environment.” Dot Wright, President of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, agreed. “Businesses are more confident,” said Wright. “Groups of people, such as those in our Olde Town businesses, are joining together to reach a greater market.” M.L. Richardson is Director of Strategy and Sustainable Development with APC (Asphalt Paving Company), and Keller Farm Property, LLC. Richardson believes that the “boom” days are probably over, but said that’s not all bad. “Businesses are getting rid of the excess and not over-extending themselves,” she said. Loretta DiTirro, a Realtor® and real estate broker with Re/MAX Professionals serving Denver and West Jeffco communities, said that, although Jefferson county had “…suffered like the rest of the nation,” our strong communities helped keep the impact to a minimum. People want to live here for our quality of life,” said DiTirro.
male director in Lakewood’s Community Resources Department were significant for her, and DiTirro described her own career path as “very different. My bosses were primarily women, which was unusual in big business at that time. These strong, brilliant women took me under their wings and wanted me to grow.”
Mentoring others… Now, DiTirro returns the favor, encouraging women to work together in “quasi-mastermind” groups. However, DiTirro clarified that, although women are “really great at networking,” this doesn’t mean women in businesses should consult only with other women. Her advice to women starting out in business or returning to the workforce? “Get a good education and acclimate yourself,” said DiTirro. “Learn the language and the technology of your industry.” Dot Wright agreed, and harkens back to her own most successful moments in her advice to women in the workplace, saying, “Women need to continue to work hard, just like everyone else. Build networks, work with strategic partners, and keep up to date on what’s going on in your field.” Fran Coet said, “Women are so smart and capable; we have great gifts for engaging employees and bring fresh perspectives to solve problems. My advice to women in the workforce is to use your talents—you’ve got them.” M.L. Richardson advises women to “engage the people who know the most. Give people an opportunity to provide input and you’ll often also get their support. You don’t have to do it all yourself.” Kathy Hodgson urges women in business to “have the courage to be authentic. Recognize your strengths as well as your fear spots and know how you relate in the world.” Hodgson added, “That life/work balance? It doesn’t exist. Do what makes you happy at home and find your satisfaction there. Then bring that person to work.”
Looking back… It’s not that these strong, successful women haven’t stumbled, though. As each reflected on “hiccups” in their careers, Fran Coet remembered relying too much on a single client who was a significant part of their business, rather than nurturing a more diverse client
mix. “Inevitably, something will change,” said Coet. Dot Wright said she learned the hard way that—despite our best efforts—our communication doesn’t always come across as we intended. “I used to assume that people just knew,” said Dot. “Now I’m especially careful to say exactly what I mean.” Kathy Hodgson described her challenge as becoming true to herself. “I didn’t need to imitate others,” said Hodgson, “and take on others’ characteristics. We all bring different skills to the workplace. Loretta DiTirro said she learned valuable lessons about giving too much of herself. “It’s okay not to be on top all the time,” she said. “You don’t have to be the best of the best. You’re really up against no one but yourself.” And M.L. Richardson remembered a time when she was in the midst of a merger and her position was unstable. “I resolved to just do the best job I could,” she said. It worked. Looking to the future… Fran Coet is confident that Jefferson County will continue to see growth. “People are moving from both the East and West Coasts,” said Coet. “We have an attractive place to live and to do business.” Coet cited recent reports that named Colorado as the second best educated state in the U.S., and as the healthiest. Kathy Hodgson is anticipating even more public/private partnerships that will continue to make Jefferson County a great place to live and work, and Dot Wright says that supporting local businesses brings people together for even greater success. M. L. Richardson believes that Jeffco businesses are seeing a whole new day. “We’re in the new normal,” said Richardson. “We’re learning how to do more with less. We’re doing things better.” Loretta DiTirro also sees improvement in the future. “Five years ago, Colorado was one of the first states to be hit by the real estate crisis,” she said. “But strong leadership in our communities is a catalyst for growth. People live here for our health and stability. And it’s only going to get better.” Andrea Doray is a full-time writer in Arvada on special assignment. Contact her at a.doray@andreadoray.com.
Inside
October 25, 2012
This first annual Jeffco Women 2 Watch has been created during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Women’s Small Business Month to celebrate the inspirational women who own and influence successful businesses and non-profits in our communities. We thank the West Chamber Serving Jefferson County for allowing us to also recognize the honorees of their annual Celebrate Women Event. Please join us in supporting these businesses and organizations. 2012 Jeffco Women 2 Watch is a special supplement of Colorado Community Media, 110 N. Rubey Dr., Ste. 120, Golden, CO 80403, (720) 409-4764, www.ourcoloradonews.com. Colorado Community Media is the publisher of the following Jefferson County publications: Arvada Press, Golden Transcript, Lakewood Sentinel, North Jeffco Westsider, and the Wheat Ridge Transcript.