WE South - Summer 2024

WESOUTH

Big Growth

TENNESSEE VALLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL

RESEARCH DIGS DEEP WITH TVA

Done Deal

OTEKA TECHNOLOGIES’ MEGA OPPORTUNITY WITH FORD’S BLUEOVAL CITY

Honoring an Icon

CANDACE WATERMAN SCHOLARSHIP

FUND FOR WBES

Want to Be a Digital Nomad?

LEARN HOW FROM CULTURE SHIFT

TEAM’S MARCELA GÓMEZ

Deborah Ward

WBEC SOUTH 2023 WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE STAR

What’s Inside WESOUTH

SOUTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS HONORS AN ICON: ESTABLISHES THE CANDACE WATERMAN

FUND FOR WBES

CANDACE WATERMAN TRIBUTES FROM THE WBENC FAMILY

AwardsSeason

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP GALA By Kelsey Cunningham

IS PROGRAMMATIC DIGITAL ADVERTISING?

Krista Pouncy-Dyson

SOUTH 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEET OUR 2023 WBE STAR, Deborah Ward, CEO, Televergence, to learn about her rise to business success and adventures with Cowboy on Twin Oaks Guest Ranch in Lebanon, Tenn.

Pictured: Deborah Ward, CEO, Televergence

Photo: Judith Hill Photography

Marcela Gómez

WESOUTH

PUBLISHER

Phala K. Mire

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Julie Lilliston

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Susan Stentz

ART DIRECTION

Karen Cronin, Emma Jones - Cronin Creative CONTRIBUTORS

Kelsey Cunningham

Krista Pouncy-Dyson

Pamela Prince-Eason

Shannon Fazande

Marcela Gómez

Cindy Marshall Hodo

Kathleen Hunt

Theresa Jones

Teresa Lawrence

Julie Lilliston

Janice Migliore

Phala K. Mire

Roberta Pettis

Jennifer L. Renshaw

Sharon Reynolds

Blanca Robinson

Susan Stentz

Scott Vowels

Sue C. Watkins

LaKesha White

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WESOUTH

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

By Scott Vowels,

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

We’re Better Together

Apple

It is significant that WBEC South is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024 and being around for 30 years is a milestone in and of itself that should be celebrated.

However, with all of the Galas, Expos, and amazing Supplier Diversity events we all attend, it is easy to lose sight of the actual mission of WBEC South. It’s even easier to miss how we (corporate partners and WBEs) can best take advantage of our WBEC South affiliation.

Simply put, we are all on a mission to create a more inclusive supply chain and allow those who may have been historically under-represented an opportunity to participate. For too long, women owned enterprises have been on the periphery of sustainable business opportunities, but that is changing and WBEC South is one of the organizations through which this is being accomplished.

“You should never try to be better than someone else, you should always be learning from others. But you should never cease trying to be the best you can be because that’s under your control and the other isn’t.”—John Wooden (Hall of Fame Basketball Coach)

If you are not receiving what you think you ‘deserve’ from WBEC South, I’ve got four suggestions that may help:

1 | Are you actively involved with WBEC South?

How many events have you attended? Have you ever volunteered to serve on a WBEC South committee? Do you reach out to WBEC South when you are looking for suppliers? These are questions I ask of both corporate partners and certified WBEs.

2 | Know who you are and what you bring to the table that no one else does.

Yes, I’m talking about your value proposition. If you are a staffing company, how are you different from all the others? Yes, your WBENC certification is important, but being woman owned is not your primary differentiator. What makes your business unique? How does that positively affect your customer’s bottom line?

3 | “Fair is a place where they go to judge pigs.”

That’s what Daddy Vowels used to tell me when I would complain about something not being fair. Supplier Diversity folks are often called at the eleventh hour before a bid goes out and asked to provide a list of diverse suppliers to participate… NOT FAIR. WBEs are often certified for years before seeing the uptick in business opportunities they were expecting…NOT FAIR. What’s the solution? Keep grinding until folks talk about you behind your back saying YOUR success isn’t fair (and knowingly smile as you continue to grind).

4 | Always have a growth mindset. If you are a local supplier today, I need you to be regional tomorrow. If you are regional, let’s talk about expanding to a national footprint. If you’re a Class I Supplier today, what’s your plan to become Class II tomorrow? If you haven’t been thinking about your growth strategy, now is the time.

I leave you with this thought. It is our collective responsibility to understand all the programs and offerings of WBEC South, to take advantage when applicable, and to help out when needed.

WBEC South has some amazing plans for the future, and the only way you can truly benefit is to get actively involved (never cease trying to be the best you can). As Coach Wooden wisely said, we only get to be our best by learning from others—so let’s continue to make ourselves and WBEC South better, together. WE

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Delivering on Our Promise

By Phala K. Mire, President & CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise Council South

Iam reminded that the journey for any long-standing organization is typically marked by extreme highs and lows, punctuated by long periods of uneventful stability. The history of WBEC South reflects that, but with noticeably few extremes. The first 29 years of the organization’s history tell the story of slow and steady progress; moving forward toward realizing a world where all women experience barrier-free access to business opportunities. This type of stability could only be achieved through the dedicated efforts of a united community of stakeholders committed to a singular mission— service to women business owners in the southern region. Each segment of our stakeholder community is important and inextricably intertwined, creating a strong and secure safety net for our WBEs to grow, innovate, and thrive.

Our Corporate Partners have supported WBEC South through the years with the specific goal of identifying new WBEs and developing them to be competitive suppliers with capacity.

“While I do not know what the future will bring, I know for sure the WBEC South community will continue to stand strong for women.”

Upholding the WBENC gold standard of certification ensures their efforts are focused on businesses owned, managed, and controlled by women.

Our Resource Partners enhance our ability to deliver meaningful services to entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale. Their partnership ensures that every business, from startup to succession, has access to capital, technical

assistance, coaching, and other resources because no one succeeds alone.

Our Board of Directors, through the years, has not only governed with a steady hand, but they have encouraged innovation and creative solutions to some of Supplier Diversity’s biggest challenges. Their commitment to WBEs is evident and they have always answered the call.

Our Staff, who execute the plan and deliver services daily, are among the best at what they do. Each brings a diverse array of experiences, skills, and talents to the table, but more importantly, an awareness that there truly is no “I” in TEAM.

Under that overarching umbrella of WBENC, WBEC South plays a pivotal role in delivering on promises to certified WBEs and corporate partners in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle. The promises to create an environment where buyers and suppliers come together to form sustainable relationships, and to provide access to tangible business opportunities are our foundation. The WBENC pillars of Certification, Resources, Opportunities, and Engagement are solid at WBEC South.

As we embark on a year celebrating the achievements of the organization and its community, we are arguably facing the greatest threats to diversity, equity, inclusion, and women’s fundamental rights. While I do not know what the future will bring, I know for sure the WBEC South community will continue to stand strong for women. We will actively embrace diversity, ensuring women are present where and when decisions are made. We will ensure that women have a safe space to realize their entrepreneurial dreams and a support system to catalyze and nurture their growth. There is no success for WBEC South without WBE success, and that can only be achieved when we uphold the guiding principles of WBENC to join forces and succeed together. WE

Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research Finds Success with TVA

It may not seem like a linear progression to go from banking to leading an archaeological firm but that’s the path Erin Johnson took with her career. As CEO of Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research, Inc., (TVAR) based in Huntsville, Alabama, Johnson taps her background in bank management to plot the company’s next move for growth.

Founded in 2008, TVAR is a full-service cultural resource management firm serving the southeastern U.S. with a majority of projects in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. Johnson recognized the growth potential and joined the firm with her husband archaeologist to lead operations for the company. She leads finance management, payroll, billing and insurance as well as managing relationships with strategic partners including their certified public accountants. Johnson prioritized building the right team

and scaling to meet the needs of their clients. TVAR has more than 60 employees, several with master’s degrees and doctorates, including geographers, archaeologists and historians. The company specializes in archaeological surveys, excavation and monitoring, archival and historic document searches, historic architecture and site preservation planning. TVAR provides services for government agencies, private businesses, nonprofits and individuals. Any entity that receives state or federal money to develop land is required by law to survey and excavate before they begin construction and partners with firms like TVAR.

TVAR has completed hundreds of projects over the years for the Alabama Department of

by Julie Lilliston

The Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research, Inc. team (above) and CEO Erin Johnson and President Hunter Johnson (below).

Every artifact found during an excavation is cleaned, weighed, counted and identified.

Transportation, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The projects range in size and scope leveraging technology including a whole team that uses Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to capture, store, display and compare data on the Earth’s surface. It allows for more analysis to be conducted before disturbing the surface and indicates where the team should prioritize their efforts.

“TVA was a key client to help us succeed. We were doing sub-contractor work for them and got on their master contract list in 2014— it was a big achievement,” – Erin Johnson

in rural locations across the region. One of Johnson’s favorite projects with TVA was actually an urban historic site of a 19th century mayor’s house in Knoxville. Johnson says, “It was fascinating for what we discovered but also there was a level of difficulty setting up in the middle of downtown Knoxville.”

Johnson explains, “A lot of times the team uses shovels and screens to analyze the soil and all of it gets bagged up and taken back to the lab. It’s all rinsed, washed and analyzed— even the smallest particle—everything is weighed, counted and identified. One of the most interesting findings are Indian artifacts, especially pottery, we’re able to put it back together and know if it was used in ceremonies or cooking.”

One client that is key to their growth strategy is TVA. “TVA was a key client to help us succeed. We were doing sub-contractor work for them and got on their master contract list in 2014—it was a big achievement,” says Johnson. Since they earned master contract supplier status, the company’s revenue is up 40%. It was their partner at TVA who encouraged them to seek certification as a woman-owned business with WBENC which they earned in 2022. They partner with TVA Archaeology working closely with the team on sites that are typically

Johnson commented about their work for TVA in a video, “Everyone in this building knows that if TVA needs something we’re going to get it for them and going to get it done well.” That client commitment has paid off. In 2023, TVAR received the Diverse Supplier of the Year award by TVA, an honor made all the sweeter because the event was held in Huntsville. TVAR was recognized as a top supplier because of their strong track record providing necessary products and services to TVA and sharing the company’s values. Over the years, TVAR has worked to develop professional relationships with internal business unit customers. Additionally, they have consistently delivered on time and under budget at competitive rates to meet the needs of TVA.

Johnson wants to continue to grow through energy infrastructure projects with TVA and other clients in the region. She notes TVAR prioritizes hiring a diverse team with more women in leadership roles including a lab director. She hires people right out of college and while some team members may take time off to earn advanced degrees, they often return to TVAR. “We grow a little bit every year and have a really good core group,” says Johnson. “We like to grow appropriately and keep the team happy.” WE

Fairness. Respect. Inclusion.

With multicultural roots, Nissan is committed to providing an inclusive space that encourages innovative ideas from our diverse workforce and supply base. We not only respect, but eagerly welcome, the varied perspectives of these talented men and women. Nissan believes our commitment to our core principles of diversityfairness, respect and inclusion - is essential to creating quality and innovative products.

WBE SUCCESS

WOMEN MAKING MOVES IN MEMPHIS

By Kelsey Cunningham

Kiamesha Wilson Founder and CEO, Kaye’s Pints & Scoops

Kaye’s Pints & Scoops, a small-batch creamery located in Memphis, Tennessee, has quickly become a local favorite. Founded by Kiamesha Wilson, this handcrafted ice cream venture emerged during the 2020 pandemic.

Impressed by the homemade ice cream’s rich flavors and creaminess, friends and family urged Kiamesha to share her delectable creations with the world. Embracing the challenge, she launched Kaye’s Pints & Scoops, offering an array of mouthwatering flavors like Vanilla, Sea Salt Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and more.

In recognition of her exceptional achievements, she won the 2023 WBEC South pitch competition in Memphis, taking home the grand prize of $1,000. With locally sourced ingredients and a passion for premium quality, Kaye’s Pints & Scoops continues to sweeten the lives of their patrons, one delightful scoop at a time.

For more information, visit kayesicecream.com

Teresa Phelps Founder, Restoration Shoppe

Amid the upheavals of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Teresa Phelps emerged as a guiding light for those traversing the rocky terrain of grief and loss. Weathering personal storms of her own, she turned her experiences into a powerful catalyst to help others find solace and healing. Enter the Restoration Shoppe, a refuge she founded with a resolute mission to extend a hand to those struggling with life’s most challenging moments. With a keen understanding that grief often masquerades in myriad emotions, she sought to provide a safe, non-judgmental haven where individuals could process their emotions freely.

The Restoration Shoppe is among those providing expert life coaching and grief recovery services. Guided by the three words—different, better, more—Theresa empowers her clients to take tentative steps towards their recovery and rebuilding their lives. Teresa’s message is clear: recovery is possible. Supported wholeheartedly by WBEC South, Teresa has found a community to nurture her vision and amplify her impact.

For more information, visit restorationshoppe.com

Sonja Jones Business Accounting Specialist, GIP Financials

A serial entrepreneur with an expertise in finance, Sonja Jones founded GIP Financials with the primary mission to empower businesses through comprehensive financial assistance and guidance. As a valued member of WBEC South, Sonja’s expertise and dedication have made her an invaluable asset to the business community. Her entrepreneurial ventures have left an indelible impact on various communities. Bell Investments, her Memphis-based real estate company, provided crucial housing solutions to nonprofit clients. However, Sonja’s journey goes beyond business ventures. With a background in education, she spent 12 fruitful years as an elementary music teacher. Later, she assumed the pivotal role of Director of Finance and Operations at Vision Preparatory Charter School, where her leadership led to consistently high marks on Shelby County Schools’ finance scorecards. Notably, her contributions earned her a prestigious nomination for TDOE Supervisor of the Year. WE

For more information, visit gipfinancials.com

TABLE TALK

CEO Succession Planning

Did you know that 58% of business owners do not have a succession plan? It’s estimated that 80% of small business owners rely on the business as their largest retirement asset, yet 72% don’t know or don’t think their exit will impact their lifestyles. Read on to see what women-owned businesses had to say about their succession planning. One thing is clear: it’s a process, so get started early.

Teresa Lawrence President, Delta Personnel, Inc. and CEO, Delta Administrative Services, LLC

Currently, we have one of our adult children working in the business, but all of our three children have told us they are not interested in taking over the business when we are ready to slow down.

We have a 10 year plan to continue to grow the business and work our way out of the day to day. We have a fantastic leadership team and continue to allow them the opportunity to be autonomous. This will allow for an easy transition when we are ready to slow down.

There are several companies we are always in communication with about valuation along with proper ways to set us up for the long term. I recommend WBEs talk with other business owners who have done this before. Their information will be an invaluable resource and give you nuggets of wisdom that you would never have thought of.

Learn more at deltapersonnel.com.

Sharon Reynolds President and CEO, DevMar Products, LLC

The greatest challenge I’ve faced during the process is time allocation. At the end of the day, I am still leading an active and vibrant business that requires continual focus. Planning to transition takes time and is often interrupted by the current state of daily business operations.

As I research and evaluate companies to help with this important next move, I will consider their expertise, industry experience and client reviews. That said, firms such as Deloitte, Mercer or Egon Zehnder are on my radar. The one thing I did not anticipate regarding succession planning is that the process is definitely as intricate as the game of chess. Each move must be considered carefully.

I would advise a WBE to recognize that it is never too early to initiate the succession planning process. Take baby steps and give yourself plenty of time to make all the right moves.

Visit devmarproducts.com for more information.

Janice Migliore CEO and Chair, PALCO

My succession plan had always been to sell PALCO. Now with global locations, we are in four different countries and counting, varied global laws present numerous challenges. And business is growing. We never closed in any location and were designated an essential industry during COVID. That experience only served to solidify PALCO’s strengths as a reverse logistics and repair company in the information technology world.

Succession? Currently not in PALCO’s vocabulary. We are working harder, but hopefully smarter, making new hires and increasing space in anticipation of continued workloads and team members. We carve out some time for personal needs and pursuing dreams.

My advice is to consider all succession options early and bring those considered strong leaders forward in an acknowledged leadership plan. They need time to develop with transparency as essential leaders of the business. And you, as the business owner, need to have a clear vision. WE

Learn more at gotopalco.com.

GO GLOBAL

Creating a Digital Nomad Life on My Terms

By Marcela Gómez, CEO, Culture Shift Team

Hi, my name is Marcela Gómez, I’m 58 years old and I’m a digital nomad.” This is how you can find me welcoming you on my IG reels, documenting the past 10 months of my life, where I’ve traveled to 34 cities and almost 10 countries.

I smile thinking about my friends who tell me they’re jealous of my life because I have to agree with them! I get to wake up in stunning cities, explore the people and culture around me, and still get to run the business I’m passionate about.

In fact, it’s been what my dreams are made of since I was a little girl.

My decision to start this adventure was a mix of lifelong behavior (immigrant, daughter of a pilot who travels often and doesn’t mind waiting for airplanes, airports, lines, and in-flight operations) and noticing the window of opportunity that life opened up for me—two essentials for this season of my life to flourish.

Of course, as much as I planned and budgeted, I also had to just go for it.

Often, many women who start to think about traveling solo like I am immediately default to fear as opposed to joy. When you give your mind too much space to think about something, it starts listing all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it.

Things like:

Europe and Asia (and I didn’t even wear everything I packed!). In every city I went, I left something behind because I found I really didn’t need all that much. (This is coming from someone whose friends would’ve never imagined she’d leave her high heels for flats, so trust me.)

Hesitation: I’m a female solo traveler. How will that impact my experiences? Will I be lonely?

My experience: I enjoy my own company and spending time with myself. When I travel, I get to make my own plans, go where I want to go and eat what I want to eat. I’m not against traveling with others, I just decided a long time ago that I’m not going to put my life on hold if I didn’t have someone to share it with, whether that be a partner, child, or friend.

Hesitation: I’m too old for this. How am I going to get around comfortably and not sleep in a 12-bed hostel dorm with 20-year-old backpackers?

My experience: Airbnb’s and hotels are your best friend (and staying with any friends you might have along the way!). I traveled the U.S. with two suitcases, and only one when I went to

When you travel solo, you are more intentional about talking to people. In almost every city I went, I met somebody who I sat with and got to know. So, feeling lonely really wasn’t the case for me, and I’m fully connected to everyone I care about with the Internet—not to mention, my team.

Hesitation: I’m a full-time CEO/ businesswoman/team member. How will I successfully run my business and manage my responsibilities in different time zones?

My experience: This one all comes down to strategically planning and accommodating your schedule for something that fits your professional responsibilities. In Europe, I had the whole morning to myself to go to museums, walk around the cities and take my time absorbing where I was at my own pace. Around 3 PM,

went, Slovenia

Cordoba

Portugal

Sedona

I would log on and work normally until around 8 PM or 10 PM, arranging my schedule to work for me personally and professionally.

My experience: You create the digital nomad life that works for you (and this looks different for everybody). And as it turns out, you won’t find out those answers for yourself until you get out there and try.

Your mind can’t always see the absolute awe you’ll have visiting several cities, knowing you are doing this on your own, and it’s so much more fun than you could’ve ever imagined.

Still, how did I even get here?

I’ve come to a point in my life where I don’t want to feel comfortable—not chaotic either—but I don’t want to feel like “this is it.” I wanted more.

When you’re living your rich life, full of wonderful experiences like marriage, raising children and running your own business, sometimes those dreams you used to have go to the back of your mind and go dormant. But then it’s your responsibility to go back into those rooms and ask yourself: What are those things that I haven’t done that I still want to do and how do I do that?

drove it forward. For one thing, my partners and I have built our company, Culture Shift Team, encouraging our teams to fully show up with their whole selves.

When I would walk through Lisbon or immerse myself in a waterfall in northern Croatia, I gave myself very intentional time to be present in each one of those moments to take it all in. I can still feel it, my body feels the happiness and the joy of being in those cities and walking in those places.

That, to me, is really being the protagonist of your own story.

Becoming a digital nomad not only didn’t hold my company back, but really enriched it and

As a CEO, showing my team that my dreams are doable is also important because we want to make sure that the people who work with us are happy in every area of their lives. We can’t separate our personal lives and our work lives—we have to bring our entire selves to work. We emphasize living your full life while also working full-time.

equity and inclusion, it was like I was and opens up the diversity of our the

Since we are in the process of launching CultureConnect, a new product which helps people take the journey of diversity, equity and inclusion, it was like I was on the ground, researching and implementing, in real time.

We have intentionally structured our company for a global team. Our team members can work remotely from anywhere in the world. This makes our talent pool worldwide and opens up the diversity of our team, not only in terms of gender, ethnicity or race, but also the culture of the city where they live and the experiences they have.

When you think a dream is too big for you to fulfill, the only thing you have to do is take the next step. WE

Follow Marcela on her global adventures on Instagram at @smarcelag. Learn more about Culture Shift Team at cultureshiftteam.com.

Here are my top takeaways from living this full-time CEO and digital nomad life:

★ It is possible to live out life the way you dream of it in a way that feels true for you and your specific situation, especially in this day and age.

★ The way you build your business with your whole global team in mind is better for everyone, but you have to intentionally create it that way.

★ You can commit to both yourself and your career (it doesn’t have to be one or the other).

★ We are not independent beings; we are all interconnected. With COVID and remote work, we basically don’t have to go outside anymore or leave our houses—what are you missing? What are others missing about you? Connections to yourself, places, nature, and other people are still out there, waiting for you. You just never know what impact you have or are going to have on people.

Istanbul

Las Vegas

Dubrovnik

Lisbon

CHANGE MAKERS

ENTERPRISING WOMEN OF COLOR RISE AND SHINE

Brandi Liberty CEO, Heroda Bikax^e Consulting LLC

For the past 13 years, Brandi has been tackling the tough issues in Indian Country with her consulting firm, Heroda Bikax^e Consulting LLC. With her help, Tribes, and Tribal businesses have secured over $40.5 million in grant awards. Brandi is no stranger to hard work—she has experience working with Indian Housing/ NAHASDA, Grant Writing, Grants Management, Tribal Housing Human Resources, Technical Assistance/ Training, Policy Development, Compliance, and Strategic Planning. With her help, Tribes and Tribal businesses can confidently move forward with their important projects.

At the beginning of 2023, Brandi Liberty celebrated a major milestone: the expansion of her business with The Luak Group. With this development, she has successfully impacted sustainable housing efforts for tribal communities across the country demonstrating her commitment to making a lasting impact. Thanks to her team’s hard work and dedication, Brandi and her team have completed over $20 million in additional housing grants for clients. With The Luak Group on board, there is potential for even more subsidiary companies to be organized under the group. | For more information, visit luakgroup.com

Iam Tucker Principle, ISLI Engineering

Iam Tucker, a former police officer, presently the Principle of ILSI Engineering, is a leader who has a notable track record of success in the private and public sectors. She is leading efforts to improve the infrastructure across the region. She has led ILSI Engineering to become a well-known civil engineering firm with a reputation for providing cost-effective services. Through her leadership, she continues to drive the company’s growth by providing expert sewer, water, streets and drainage design projects, as well as program and construction management solutions for clients across the United States.

She has led ILSI Engineering to become a renowned civil engineering firm that has grown to more than 50 employees. Under Iam’s direction, the family business (started by Iam’s father, the late Bob Tucker) has flourished—and continues to do so. With an eye toward growth and innovation, ILSI Engineering looks forward to an even brighter future. | For more information, visit ilsiengineering.com

Luz Lobos CEO, Synergy Design Group

Luz Lobos is a seasoned businesswoman and friend to all in the Enterprising Women of Color network. Drawing inspiration from the rich New Orleans cultural tapestry that surrounds it, Luz brought Synergy Design Group to life.

With a keen eye for transforming ordinary workspaces into extraordinary marketing assets, Luz and her team specialize in turnkey tradeshow exhibit design, crafting captivating branded signage, and graphics that guide visitors with ease. At the core of their work is the concept of synergy, where each element seamlessly comes together to create a harmonious whole that exceeds expectations.

Guided by the philosophy of “mind over matter,” they approach every project with determination and ingenuity, going above and beyond to make its clients better exhibitionists. By blending artistry, strategy and unparalleled dedication, Synergy Design Group ensures that their clients’ visions become stunning realities, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter them. WE | For more information, visit synergy-dg.com

WBE SENSATIONS

NASHVILLE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS STRIKE A CHORD

Skylar Gregg Owner, Sessions Hair

A soulful singer-songwriter and hairstylist who pursued business ownership, Skylar Gregg opened her own full service and unisex salon in Madison, Tennessee called Sessions Hair. She’s been on a journey receiving guidance from WBEC South to transform her business dreams into a reality. Skylar took advantage of classes at the center and formed connections with other women entrepreneurs as well as influential individuals to help her launch her business. Skylar received help from Bistany Bass with her business plan to make sure it aligned with her vision. She also had assistance navigating the complex process of securing an SBA loan. “Bistany provided crucial insights and helped me prepare all the necessary documentation. Moreover, she connected me with an extensive network of contacts throughout the city, which proved to be instrumental in getting my salon off the ground.”

Jyoti Pugalia Founder, Wellness Bliss Box LLC

If you haven’t received a Wellness Bliss Box, it’s time to treat yourself! The elegant, hand curated boxes are filled with quality items guaranteed to delight the recipient. Founded by Jyoti Pugalia with the mission to elevate and simplify gifting, her boxes emphasize well-being. She customizes gifting solutions for corporations that align with the company’s brand, values and message.

Jyoti took advantage of WBEC South for business mentoring, coaching and connections. Through one-on-one coaching, she’s been able to refine her business strategy and focus on areas of improvement to propel her business growth. Jyoti also received resources within her budget to address specific needs. She says of her experience working with Bistany Bass, “With her guidance, I felt supported and motivated to push beyond my comfort zone. Additionally, Bistany’s enthusiastic referrals of my business to others have significantly expanded my network and opportunities.”

Amy Don Billings Owner, Nashville Jam Session and NashVegas Entertainment Group, LLC

Amy Don Billings has deep roots in the Nashville entertainment industry and leverages those relationships in her business ventures. She recently opened a retail store in the Nashville International Airport called Nashville Jam Session with a second location recently opened in the Satellite Concourse at BNA.

The souvenir shop has received quite a buzz with touring musicians and celebrities traveling through Nashville stopping by to pose for selfies with iconic musical instruments and merch. You never know who you’ll see at Nashville Jam Session. “As a small business owner who was having extreme difficulty finding a lender since enduring the pandemic…Bistany helped connect me with many people to steer me in the right direction.” Amy plans to pursue the certification process which she anticipates will take her businesses to the next level. WE

Done Deal with Ford’s BlueOval City Q&A WITH ALANDAS DOBBINS, PRESIDENT & CEO, OTEKA TECHNOLOGIES

By Julie Lilliston

Memphis is a city on the move and a major indication of the region’s growth is the $5.6

billion investment by Ford Motor Company to build BlueOval City in nearby Stanton, Tenn. The project is the largest in the company’s history and is envisioned to be a sustainable automotive manufacturing ecosystem built for the next century.

The sustainable electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility, a “mega campus,” manifests Ford’s vision of an electrified future. Ford is on track to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2050 across its vehicles, operations and supply chain. The company estimates that carbon dioxide emissions may be reduced as much as 60% for consumers driving a Ford EV versus a similar internal combustion engine vehicle.

A mother-daughter run company who seized an opportunity with Ford is Memphis-based Oteka Technologies, LLC, a low voltage data cabling telecommunications and IT company. Founded in 2016 by Alandas Dobbins, President and CEO, and joined by her daughter Rasie Dobbins-Turner, Vice-President and Business Development Specialist, the company installs cabling, access control, security cameras and other technologies for enterprise and government customers. We sat down with Alandas to learn more about Oteka and the BlueOval City opportunity.

Q: Tell me about your company’s founding.

To build Ford’s ambitious BlueOval City, the manufacturer needs the right partners to meet its sustainability and supplier diversity goals. That means dozens of WBEs, MBEs, LGBTQ+ and veteran owned businesses have a transformational opportunity to catapult their business and contribute to history in the making.

A: After my father passed, I walked away from the telecommunications business we built. That was 16 years ago. I opened Oteka Technologies seven years ago. Oteka means “strong” in a South African Dialect. We are hard workers and have a lot of heart. Currently, we have 52 employees and serve the private and public sector.

Q: How did the opportunity come about with Ford’s BlueOval City?

A: When Blue Oval was announced, marketing firm Carter Malone called me to provide a comment for a reporter on the relevance for Memphis. After that piece appeared, I received a few calls from the Ford team. Secondly, I went to the WBENC national conference

Alandas Dobbins

Alandas Dobbins and Rasie Dobbins-Turner

in Atlanta and met the DEI team from Ford. Third, I went to several events in Memphis where Walbridge, the general contractor for BlueOval, was sharing opportunities for bidding. Another very important interaction was my son meeting the DEI representative from Archkey, a subcontractor for Walbridge. We are working with Archkey now. The last interaction was my daughter and I visiting the Ford booth in Nashville at this year’s WBENC national conference. We have been locked in and engaged with Ford for over a year to bring this to reality.

Q: What specifically are you doing for the project?

A: This project will be transformational for Oteka Technologies. We should start in July 2023 and timing is based on where they are in the construction. We are still understanding our scope of work, but we could grow anywhere from 5-20 people on our staff because of this work over the next two years. That is simply amazing! We are so happy to be able to grow our business with this project that means so much for Memphis and for Tennessee!

Q: How did your WBE certification benefit you in winning the contract?

A: The WBENC certification was absolutely profound in helping us to win this contract. We would not have had one-on-one meetings with Ford’s team without investing in certification and the WBENC national conferences. The procurement process has been over one year long and grueling. We are prepared and ready to be a part of this distinguished project.

Q: What does this opportunity mean for Oteka Technologies?

A: Oteka Technologies is a small, AfricanAmerican woman owned company in Memphis. The city has had a lot of issues over the last year just like many of our urban cities across

the nation. To have a national company partner with a company like ours is truly what we would call the American Dream. We are located in a HUBZone and we hire returning citizens to give them a second chance. We also offer credit classes and have a training partner, UpSmith, to help people find careers in construction. We work very hard at Oteka Technologies and this project is an honor and something we will be proud of forever. I am truly thankful for the opportunity!

Q: Any advice you would share with aspiring WBEs in tech or construction?

A: My father taught me to never give up before he passed, and we grew a successful business together. And now my son and daughter are helping me build Oteka Technologies. Never give up and keep on striving no matter how long it takes. It has not been easy for us to earn a spot on the Ford team, but we kept working hard and now we are a part!

WBEs can find out about potential bidding opportunities for BlueOval City by visiting walbridgeblueoval.com/blueovalcity. WE

Learn more about Oteka Technologies at otekatech.com

Alandas reviews cabling plans created by Oteka Technologies.

TAKING CARE

Healthy Employees Deliver a Healthy Bottom Line at RIG-CHEM

By Julie Lilliston

Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, RIG-CHEM, a specialty chemical manufacturer and distributor located in Houma, Louisiana, is ahead of the curve on the health and wellness trend for small business. President Lori Davis is carrying on the wellness tradition started by her parents more than 30 years ago who were the company founders.

“Their philosophy on the importance of good healthcare and benefits stemmed from years of working for larger corporations that provided these benefits,” says Davis. “Our employees are gold! Without a focus on our employees and their health and wellness we cannot be successful in our job. We work in a very competitive field and need to provide the best resources to compete for work and talent.”

“During COVID, our business was considered essential so we always safely reported to work and learned many ways to remain healthy during a difficult time. I can proudly say that our employees remained healthy and active throughout the pandemic.”

Davis sees healthy employees directly impacting the bottom line by being “ready for work” to meet their effectiveness goals. RIG-CHEM provides individuals who are “fit for work” to meet their client expectations on a daily basis.

Davis

RIG-CHEM provides company paid health coverage which encourages proactive care. They have “wellness days” instead of sick days that can be used for personal time as opposed to calling in sick or using valuable vacation time. “We take the approach to maintaining good health communication during the workday and beyond. Checking in and checking on our employees is important,” says Davis.

She notes that employees like working for a small business who demonstrates care, concern and support for their health and well-being. RIGCHEM continues to grow, learn and explore options for new programs and Davis remains open to accepting ideas and suggestions through various channels. She shares, “We hold monthly safety meetings with a third-party to remind us of ways to remain healthy through safe practices, whether it’s lifting techniques or preventing heat exhaustion—all leading back to wellness.”

The impact of health and wellness incentives on employees has been positive and far reaching. “We have many longstanding employees who we value, want to retain and have done so. Our advisor stays ahead of the trends in healthcare to continue providing quality and peace of mind to keep our employees worry free and focused on their job.”

Davis suggests shopping around for a premium health care provider that understands your goals. Research the offerings, understand the plan, get feedback from employees and don’t be afraid to make a change when necessary. “You may have to be creative to get the best plan that you can afford and build from that.” The time spent will be well worth the effort for your business and for your employees. WE

Lori

At International Paper, supplier diversity extends well beyond our commitment of being a good corporate citizen. We fully understand that a diverse supplier base must be an integral part of our supply chain.

Through the power of a diverse supplier base, we will succeed with customers and deliver operational excellence to achieve our goal of making International Paper one of the best and most respected companies in the world. A diverse supplier base also enables International Paper to contribute to the economic well-being of the communities in which we live and work.

To register with us, please visit our portal at https://internationalpaper.supplierone.co Contact us at IPSupplierDiversity@ipaper.com

A Second Chance at Life

By Kelsey Cunningham

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, where success often demands relentless dedication, Ogechi Anyatonwu, CoFounder and CEO of Twisted Sistuhs LLC, a female, Black and veteran-owned wine brand and CEO of Global Chi Supply Solutions a provider of wholesale health and hygienic products, found herself trying to heal from a nearly fatal car accident while simultaneously running two businesses. The situation prompted her to make the necessary changes to improve her physical health as well as the health of her businesses.

In early 2023, Anyatonwu passed out behind the wheel due to weakness from fibroids and anemia. Her car crossed into the median and she suffered an injury to her hip as the car was entirely crushed—except for the driver’s seat. When she woke up, she didn’t know what happened other than she was still alive and she was given a second chance.

Anyatonwu says, “Until I walked away from a nearly fatal car accident due to this condition, I didn’t take it seriously. It really changed my perspective and forced me to take a serious look at why I was struggling with low oxygen, iron absorption, and hemoglobin count.”

It would take more than two months of rehabilitation to regain her strength and mobility. The progress was slow and painful requiring more rest to recover. Seven months later, she is still going to physical therapy regularly to regain full mobility and manage pain. Her recovery also prompted Anyatonwu to make decisions about how she was taking care of herself and preparing her businesses for catastrophe.

The wake-up call ignited a transformational journey. She explains, “Optimal health doesn’t happen overnight, and the changes you make to achieve it aren’t one and done. You must make a lifestyle change and consistently do it over time to see the changes and to maintain the benefits.”

Anyatonwu did not have a second in command at her businesses who could take charge while she was recovering from the accident. Additionally, she did not have the health benefits in place to cover a longer-term recovery. These experiences urged her to seek out different business insurance options and update internal processes and procedures so her team could resume daily operations in the event of an emergency.

Prioritizing health and well-being often takes a backseat when running a business. Anyatonwu is dedicated to taking care of herself, her business, and doing things that bring her joy. Much of her joy comes from spending time with loved ones, who were instrumental in supporting her throughout the healing process. Anyatonwu stays curious and is learning about how she can better support her body and mind by taking the right supplements and growing her own foods.

As she forges ahead in business, Anyatonwu prioritizes transparency and communication. She shares, “From a mental perspective, I work hard to be transparent with my personal struggles as an entrepreneur and voice how I need help. Whenever I don’t communicate the challenges I need support with, those challenges become even more stressful. However, each time I voice a problem, there have been individuals that have helped me find a solution. This has been a huge help for my mental!”

Anyatonwu’s journey is a powerful reminder that self-care is not a luxury but a crucial foundation for sustained success in life and business. WE

Visit Twisted Sistuhs Wine at twistedsistuhs.com and learn about Global Chi Supply Solutions at globalchisupply.com.

Ogechi Anyatonwu

LaddSafetyspecializesinthecustomizationof SafetyandJanitorialProductstofityourspecific application.Wehaveover20yearsexperiencein theindustry.Westrivetostayknowledgeablein innovativeproductsandsafetyrequirements.

Asidefromprovidingproducts,Weprideourselves inprovidingcosteffectivesolutions.Wehave experienceinservicingGovernment,Manufacturing, Automotive,Chemical,andUtilityindustries.

SDiscover Your Wellness Groove and Reap the Benefits

By Cindy Marshall Hodo, Founder, Quest Group LLC

elf-care is not selfish—it is vital. As women executives and entrepreneurs, we are often so consumed with the responsibility of taking care of our families, employees, and businesses that we may neglect caring for ourselves. Creating realistic, healthy habits can produce a high return on your investment when it comes to your health.

“If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” - Dr. Tom Braddock

My top wellness recommendations are to take simple steps to support and improve your immune system and reduce inflammation. These results-oriented tips can easily be implemented in the workplace, at home, and when traveling.

Get moving. Walking is one of the best exercises for all age groups. Park further away from the store or office, allowing room for someone who needs a closer space to park. Courtesy goes a long way. Your body and your spirit will thank you.

“The first wealth is health.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

All water is not created equal. Many bottled waters are highly acidic, meaning these waters are not hydrating our bodies. Most bottled waters are served in cheap plastic often left in the heat. These plastics can be harmful to the body and to the environment. Buy glass bottled water when possible. When traveling or dining out, I recommend drinking still spring or mineral water which contains natural minerals. A little sparkling spring water is fine with a meal; however, keep the bubbly drinks to a minimum. Too much carbonation can deplete the body of nutrients, weaken the bones, and increase inflammation.

“If you can’t pick it, pluck it, catch it, or shoot it, don’t eat it.” - Dr. Tanda Cook

Dr. Tanda Cook’s advice suggests simplifying food choices and eating foods created by nature. I recommend eating whole foods purchased from your local grocery produce or farmers’ markets to establish realistic, healthy eating habits.

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. This is where the freshest foods are located. Cut back on consuming processed foods. A side effect of consuming processed sugar is inflammation. If you cannot pronounce the ingredients, you may not want to consume them. For easy pick-up snacks, choose apples or other simple seasonal fruit. These are ideal for home, office, and travel.

“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn’t taste good.”

- Lucia Capacchione

Make time for play. Choose a form of movement or play that creates laughter and increases endorphins. This can include playing a sport or game, taking a class, gardening, dancing, and strolling in the park.

Exercise does not have to be a “workout.” Weight-bearing activities such as lifting small weights or using your own body weight as with yoga or Tai Chi movements may improve mood, help with hormones, and produce visible results in body change. Stick with it for at least three weeks to create a sustainable habit. Traveling? Adjust accordingly and keep moving.

Marshall Hodo

“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.”

- Native American Proverb

An attitude of gratitude is one of the most powerful skills you can hone. Be realistic in your choices. Stay positive and on task as you implement and improve your wellbeing. As in business, keep it simple. After all, you are uniquely created. Follow your intuition. Enjoy the journey and be creative with movement, play, fueling your body and filling your soul as you find your wellness groove. Try an integrative approach with your wellness and experience the many benefits of lifestyle change. WE

Cindy

Kathleen Hunt President, Personalized Payroll Services,

Inc.

When do you know you need to slow your roll?

I know I need to slow down when I find my energy becoming negative. This is when I usually turn on my YouTube TV and do a quick five to fifteen minutes of yoga or a walking video. It helps me to refocus. If I’m traveling, I simply go for a walk to recharge.

What is your favorite way to unwind and recharge?

Dancing is a favorite for me!! This being said, I also partake in massage therapy twice a month and the chiropractor once a month.

What is your go-to indulgence? Dessert!

Sue C. Watkins CEO & President, Telecom Transport Services, Inc.

What routines do you have to maintain a healthy body and mind?

An early morning jog is a must to clear my mind, relax, listen to the birds, and prepare for the day ahead. It’s an instant, happy mood fix.

What is your favorite way to unwind and recharge?

Playing sports always relieves tension. My sport of choice is tennis because it involves quick movement, competitiveness and critical thinking.

What self-care tips do you have for WBEs who are starting their entrepreneur journey?

Learn to say no, set boundaries, trust your gut feelings, and surround yourself with positive/ supportive people.

CEOs Share Their Health & Wellness Tips

Julie Lilliston Founder and President, Julie Lilliston Communications

What routines do you have to maintain a healthy mind and body?

I practice daily meditation followed by journaling to set my intentions for the day. It has been a game changer to keep my nervous system regulated.

What is your favorite way to unwind and recharge?

Spending time in nature revives me. Even a walk in the neighborhood will do. I love to go on hikes or bike along wooded trails.

What self-care tips do you have for WBEs who are starting their entrepreneur journey? It’s important to set boundaries and prioritize yourself. Find an exercise you really enjoy doing. I discovered Pilates and it helps me build strength, flexibility and coordination.

Theresa Jones

Owner and Principal Consultant, Evalv IQ

What routines do you have to maintain a healthy mind and body?

I work daily at prioritizing my well-being and setting clear boundaries to ensure I can perform at my best while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

When do you know you need to slow your roll? Listening to my body is crucial, as it often gives me signs when I need to slow down or take a break.

What is your go-to indulgence?

Cooking is a therapeutic activity that involves all my senses—sight, smell, touch, taste, and even hearing. The process of preparing a meal is highly rewarding, and the act of nourishing myself and others is a beautiful expression of care.

COVER STORY

Deborah Ward

CEO, TELEVERGENCE SOLUTIONS, INC.

WBEC South 2023 Women’s Business Enterprise Star

By Julie Lilliston

eb Ward, Founder and CEO, Televergence Solutions, Inc., a certified Women’s Business Enterprise through WBENC and nationwide VOIP telecommunications solutions company, is a trailblazer and relationship builder. She ventures into uncharted territory fearlessly leaning on her business savvy and experience to guide the way. Ward was a house flipper in California in the ‘80s and launched the first woman-owned telecommunications company after the break-up of the Bell System.

Born and raised in California, Ward developed an appreciation for the outdoors that surrounded

her with its wide open spaces, animals and lush landscapes. She spent her adult years in Westlake Village, a community near Los Angeles best known for Russell Ranch which was used to film Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

Ward sparked her entrepreneurial spirit at a young age driven by a strong work ethic instilled by her parents. “I’ve been working since I was 12 years old, doing odd jobs in the neighborhood,” Ward says. “I would get referrals from neighbors and noticed that when I put in the effort, I could make people happy and earn money.”

As a teenager, she was a hostess at a local restaurant called Pioneer Chicken where she earned 90 cents an hour and learned how to interact with the public. From there, she moved up to a local steakhouse called Happy Steak and continued her path in the hospitality industry. She graduated one year early from high school and attended community college but it wasn’t for her.

She learned early on that if you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t really seem like work. Ward then became a legal secretary at a law office. She says, “I originally thought I would be an attorney until I actually worked in the environment. I had conversations with my Dad who was a real estate appraiser. He always said if you want to build generational wealth—invest in real estate. I took his advice to heart and became a house flipper before it became trendy. I had excellent credit and references and fought for my first loan as a 19 year old being a single female. I’ll never forget a wonderful mentor, Walt of ARCS Mortgage, who went to bat for me and I was able to close on my first rental house. I fixed it up with help from my friends, sold it, and made $60,000 in the early ‘80s. I knew this was the profession for me.”

Ward then became a general contractor and used her hands on work experience to qualify

under an amnesty program. She took the general contractors license exam and was the only woman in the room out of 5,000 people. “I passed the test in an hour although we had four hours to take it as a result of what I had learned working as a legal secretary,” she says. “I bought and sold over 1,000 units in five years, single family and multi-dwelling. I saw the housing bubble coming in California and decided to cash out and do something different.”

Tenacity and a Growth Mindset

Ward learned about a tax credit opportunity from her CPA about investing in manufacturing and telecommunications equipment. She was introduced to a fellow client who was a telecommunications reseller who was looking for a financial backer to grow the business. She learned a lot about the business but her partners didn’t see eye to eye so they decided to part ways. She went to Pacific Bell and told them she had a book of business. They had a Centrex Joint Use program that was exactly what she needed to get started serving her customer base. She was at the right place at the right time. “I was the first woman-owned telecom company, in my early 20s, with no formal education. I had the background, tenacity and relationships that gave me a push and the confidence that I needed. I had a head start with my work experiences and that set the tone.”

At that time, there were not a lot of women business organizations available. If they existed, she certainly didn’t know about them. She participated in trade associations and formed relationships to get the mentoring she needed. Ward notes, “I’m not afraid to ask questions and say I don’t know something. I had a lot of male mentors who helped me along the way. I would tell other women don’t be afraid to say you don’t know.”

Ward had an appetite for risk as a young entrepreneur and she’s quick to credit those who helped her along the way. “It’s a different mindset and I got a lot of help. I had no problem asking men to show how smart they are and tell me what they know about the business,” she says. Ward spent time building allies and advocates that demonstrated a level of trust and respect in the industry. “I’m not afraid to get in and do what needs to be done. I started at a low level in our trade association, INCOMPAS, served on committees and then became the first woman chairperson. I did what I said I was going to do.

It’s all about relationships in every industry.” Integrity is very important to Ward and she lives by two mantras: always go above and beyond and always do the right thing no matter what the circumstances. A leader she admires is former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice. “I always respected her, follow her and she has been an inspiration to me,” says Ward. “Her leadership, transparency and caring demeanor reinforces she knows how to make tough decisions when it’s necessary.”

Paying It Forward for Women

Ward is active in the entrepreneurial community serving as the President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Nashville Chapter, and serves on the board of

Deb was honored with an Enterprising Women of the Year Award in 2023.

directors for WBEC South and is a member of the WBENC WBE Forum and serves on the Domestic Team. She’s also a member of the National Small Business Leadership Council and was recently honored as an Enterprising Women of the Year in 2023 for her success with Televergence.

She’s driven by the motivation to help others in her board service. Ward says, “I have tremendous mentors and women have a special relationship; they really understand each other. I want to pay it forward to cut that learning curve down, provide feedback and support. I’m happy to do that and be a sounding board. It makes me feel good and I get a lot out of that. These organizations are critical to our survival and growth. It’s extremely important to the economic growth of the world.”

Ward is a founding member of the Power Women Alliance along with three other women-owned tech firms who provide a range of solutions including data management, cybersecurity and telecom services. It was formed during the pandemic to adapt to changes in the market.

She explains, “One of the challenges we have as a smaller women-owned company is dealing with large organizations. We build relationships with supplier diversity folks and that’s great. A corporation suggested we form a group with complimentary services to come together as a collaborative organization.” The Power Women Alliance helps start the conversation with

corporate buyers and it’s up to the individual members to nurture those relationships to work toward a contract.

Ward passes along the following advice to women entrepreneurs, “Be open to change and embrace change. No matter where you’re at personally or professionally, you need to adapt. Nothing stays constant.”

Pursuing a New Dream: Twin Oaks Guest Ranch

One dream that Ward always wanted to pursue is owning a horse ranch. She found that opportunity when she met her husband Dave, aka Cowboy, a former championship bull rider.

“I had a lot of customers and marketing agents in the greater Nashville area and wanted to be close to an international airport, as I visited often with our industry trade association located in D.C.,” Ward says. “I knew that Cowboy would love it here and we both love country music. We found the ranch for sale online, made a visit to check it out, made an offer and in 30 days we packed up and moved. We relocated some team members who wanted to join us and offered severance packages for those who did not. It was the best move we ever did. It’s an amazing community with like-minded people and big hearts.”

The 35 acre property was purchased in August 2010 and they remodeled it thinking it would be a family compound for their grown children

Deb and her husband Cowboy host visitors from around the world at Twin Oaks Guest Ranch.

and grandchildren. Ward shares, “I had hosted customers, colleagues and vendors here. One of them questioned if I had thought about AirBnB or VRBO? We decided to go for it, put up the listings and in a few minutes had 25 reservations. Little did we know it would be a destination spot for travelers from around the globe. It was going to be a hobby business and now it’s seven years later and we’ve had 700 stays from all over the world.”

Twin Oaks Guest Ranch is also certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise through WBENC.

Resilience and the Power of Community

Ward and team had just finished building a tack room and an outdoor kitchen and dining area at Twin Oaks Guest Ranch in February 2022 when a devastating fire broke out destroying all of their barns, outbuildings, farm equipment, trucks, tractors and hay. Luckily, Ward and Cowboy were the only two people on the property at the time and their home was spared. All of the animals were safe during the fire. It was determined the cause may have been squirrels chewing through wires that ignited a spark and that early morning happened to have strong winds. It was a perfect storm. It was a tough time and Ward feels lucky to be alive with their animals and home intact. “We kept things in perspective. On the anniversary date of the fire, we went on vacation and came back and I realized that I did have PTSD from the experience,” says Ward. “My perspective is the glass is half full, count your blessings and be grateful. That helped me work through the difficult time. We started to rebuild and expect to be completed by the end of 2023.”

Regarding the experience she notes, “From a business perspective, I had a lot to learn about natural disasters educating myself on insurance and how it works. We’re continuing to work 15 hours a day, seven days a week in order to complete the rebuild. The community has been so supportive, bringing meals, finding hay for 24 horses and everything in between. It shows how you touch so many lives and how blessed we truly are.”

Today, Twin Oaks Guest Ranch is in operation and as a result of COVID, the team now hosts corporate retreats for organizations looking for something different. She says, “Several corporations are looking outside the box for new experiences. We’re located 20 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from downtown Nashville. We offer a variety of programming

including wellness, leadership and sales training to fit every budget for up to 20 overnight guests. We have all the activities including horseback riding, roping, happy hour and entertainment. It’s a unique, fun corporate retreat. We’re the best kept secret in Nashville and trying to change that.”

The Future is Bright

Ward has launched another company, UV BIOCLEAN. “There is still a fear of COVID and other viruses. We offer UV lighting technology to create safer air that is endorsed by the World Health Organization and the CDC that eradicates germs and viruses,” Ward says. “We’ve helped companies get it installed and brought back confidence on returning to work.” It’s an important area of concern as corporations need to get employees back to the office in a clean, safe environment. She’s been busy putting together a business plan and marketing with WBENC, state, local and federal government. She sees a huge demand in the medical field and all businesses who are struggling with staffing issues.

“Be open to change and embrace change. No matter where you’re at personally or professionally, you need to adapt. Nothing stays constant.”

Ward reflects on being named the 2023 WBE Star for WBEC South, “I’m so humbled, honored and shocked to be named the star since I’ve only been involved for five years. I feel a real responsibility supporting this organization in a new role chairing the WBEC South WBE Advisory Committee. I’m going to bring best practices from the member association, NAWBO Nashville and bring all of that knowledge to support WBENC. Our team is incredible and WBEs receive tremendous value when they engage. I’m honored to serve in that capacity. WBEs and corporate members working together—there is a really good opportunity for growth and continued success.” WE

Learn more about Televergence at televergence.com and book your corporate retreat or vacation stay at Twin Oaks Guest Ranch twinoaksguestranch.com

Deb receives her flowers as the 2023 WBE Star from Susan Stentz, Chair Emeritus, WBEC South and WBENC Chair Nedra Dickson.

Why You Should Stop Ignoring HR

IBy Shannon Fazande, CEO & Principal Consultant, Fazande Consulting LLC

’ve had an amazing HR career working with dynamic organizations, doing interesting and meaningful work across the U.S., Caribbean and Europe. The opportunity to work with diverse personalities and management styles, to learn the inner workings of an environment and market conditions that impact a business and be an expert resource for workforces makes HR an exciting (and never dull) career. It feeds my passion for transforming the human experience in the place where most of us spend most of our waking moments: WORK.

In my current role as CEO and Principal Consultant of Fazande Consulting, I work with clients to provide transformational solutions for some of their most complex workforce issues. I’ve been in this HR space for over two decades and one of the most common mistakes that I have experienced in companies large and small, new and established, is ignoring HR! And I am

screaming from the proverbial mountain top, “Stop ignoring HR!”

Human Resources is the most critical function in any organization as it plays a vital role in managing the most important asset of any business: its people. HR is accountable for every employee in the organization. The analogy I often use in my work is that HR is the HeaRt of the business. The heart pumps blood to every area of your body, a necessary function for survival and optimal health. And like the heart, HR feeds every aspect of business. I can’t think of a single area in an organization that HR doesn’t touch in some way, even in the world of solopreneurs. To put things into perspective, let’s briefly look at a few of the most essential HR responsibilities, starting with what my clients might call the scariest:

• Compliance and Legal Requirements: HR ensures that the organization is compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements relating

to employment, such as labor laws, safety regulations, and workplace discrimination laws. Understanding and adhering to employment laws sets the terms and conditions for employment, establishes equitable pay structures, and creates workplace equality.

• Culture and Employee Engagement: HR drives the creation of a positive and engaging work environment that fosters a strong organizational culture. This can lead to higher levels of employee engagement, improved morale, and increased productivity.

• Recruitment and Retention: HR is responsible for developing the strategy to attract, hire, and retain the best employees for the organization. By creating an effective recruitment and retention strategy, HR can ensure that the organization has the talent it needs to achieve its immediate and future goals.

• Training and Development: HR leads the development and training of employees, ensuring that they have the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively. This helps improve employee satisfaction and retention and ultimately benefits the organization’s bottom line.

• Performance Management: HR is responsible for managing employee performance, setting goals, providing feedback, and developing improvement plans. This helps to ensure that employees are meeting their targets and contributing to the organization’s success.

• Compensation and Benefits: HR is responsible to ensure accurate, equitable, and fair remuneration for employees. Both are effective attraction-and-retention tools that directly correlate with employee satisfaction and morale.

These are just a few critical functions of HR. Now, imagine, your heart only sending blood to certain areas of your body or only being brought online when there is a crisis. This would wreak havoc on your body and eventually lead to death. Applying the same logic to the business case, if the central function that manages and oversees all the areas mentioned above is only brought online to hire and fire or administer benefits, it, too, will wreak havoc on every level of an organization. It may even lead to business failure due to legal, financial, and productivity issues.

When my clients, or potential clients, discuss

business challenges, I always begin with investigating how the organization staffs and leverages its HR function. And in 99% of cases, HR has been ignored. The function is more than likely not properly skilled and/or staffed. It is commonly viewed as a cost center, so investments in staffing, training, and compensation are often less than adequate. Additionally, HR is not treated as a strategic partner, so it constantly operates in a reactive, transactional state. Here’s how ignoring HR may present itself in an organization:

• Legal Issues: Policies and employment practices are not aligned with federal, state, and local laws; workplace discrimination claims; issues with a direct correlation to race/gender/ age—whether intentional or unintentional.

“I can’t think of a single area in an organization that HR doesn’t touch in some way, even in the world of solopreneurs.”

• Hiring the Wrong Talent: Common issues include over- or under-staffing; quality of the workforce; low employee morale; high turnover; productivity losses; increased recruiting spending or pay inequality.

• Learning and Development: Critical skills gaps; promotions without adequate training; ineffective performance management; poor productivity; lack of recognition and workplace safety issues.

• Culture and Engagement: High turnover; poor employer brand/reputation; hostile work environments; lack of cohesion and increased absenteeism.

For every organization, being strategic in how you staff and leverage your HR function plays a critical role in productivity and profitability. HR must understand the business and its measures of success to build systems and create metrics that connect HR practices to organizational performance. Overall, leveraging HR expertise, no matter the size of the organization, can greatly impact your bottom line. WE

Learn more about Fazande Consulting, LLC at fazandeconsulting.com

How to Use Generative AI in Your Business

Q&A with Jennifer L. Renshaw, Founder & Chief Marketing Strategist, Brand Mark Digital

By Julie Lilliston

Anew tech tool gaining traction across industries is the rise of Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Jasper to do everything from writing emails and drafting social media posts to composing music. According to TechTarget, GPT means “Generative Pre-trained Transformer” and refers to how it processes requests and formulates responses. The company OpenAI created and launched ChatGPT in November 2022, combining machine learning with human feedback to create humanlike text, videos or images. In two months, the platform grew to more than 100 million users and sparked a new job title to tap the power of ChatGPT: prompt engineer.

Jennifer L. Renshaw

As these tools become more widely adopted, WBEs need to think about how best to use them in the workplace. There are downsides to ChatGPT such as the information generated may not be accurate or properly sourced and the platform is limited to pre-2021 data. Cybersecurity is a concern since it’s open-sourced and the code is available to modify—bad actors may create hacking code using the tool. Privacy is also a concern as ChatGPT may be used for phishing scams to make imposters more difficult to detect. The platform creates text that impersonates an individual’s writing style without the spelling errors or awkward phrases most commonly seen in email scams.

WE South had an opportunity to chat with digital marketing expert, Jennifer Renshaw, Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist at Brand Mark Digital, to learn how companies are using ChatGPT and share a few tips for new users.

Q: What is Generative AI?

A: Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content based on patterns it learns from training data. It’s utilized in diverse applications, from art creation to drug design.

This technology includes Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), where two neural networks compete to generate increasingly realistic data, and transformer models like GPT, which can generate contextually relevant sentences. Essentially, generative AI represents a leap in AI development, enabling machines to create original content. And yes, I absolutely used ChatGPT to create that definition.

Q: In what ways are companies using AI? Could you provide a few examples?

A: Obviously, companies are using AI to varying degrees. Some have employees using AI and they don’t even know it, and others have encouraged their employees to embrace the technology to make them more efficient. I’ve heard of many companies using AI for several things, not just content creation, which was the original assumption when it first launched. The most obvious ways are writing emails, blogs, social posts, one-pagers, optimizing content for search, etc., but some businesses are incorporating what it knows about industries and competitors to help build out strategies. A lot of companies are using it to assist with project management, like building out project plans and timelines, and documenting operational processes, like HR practices. Many are using AI inside their CRM, helping sales teams manage leads and customers more efficiently and effectively by providing insights into customer behavior and potential sales opportunities.

There’s also a large play in the Customer Support space, where companies are using AI chatbots and virtual assistants to provide 24/7 customer service, handle common queries, and offer personalized assistance, improving the customer experience while reducing operational costs. AI can be used to automate routine tasks, ranging from chatbots and email sorting to more complex ones like automated report generation or financial transactions. Predictive analytics are also affected because AI can analyze large volumes of data to predict future trends or

The Women’s Business Enterprise Council South is a regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the largest certifier of women owned business enterprises (WBEs) and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs in the United States.

To advance and enhance business opportunities between corporations and women-owned businesses through a reputable certification program, education, and professional growth.

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outcomes, aiding decision-making in various areas like sales, marketing, and supply chain management. If you can think of a use case, it’s being tested.

Q: We’ve seen the rise of platforms such as ChatGPT and Jasper. How should businesses consider using AI?

A: I really think you need to evaluate where it would make the biggest impact on your business. It’s something I ask my team on a weekly basis: how they used AI in the last week and if they have any other ideas of how we could better leverage the tools. AI can generate high-quality content, streamline processes, and help drive results, but it can’t replace human creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. Make sure your employees are using it the way it is intended, leveraging it to make them better and more efficient, not replacing what they do.

AI can generate high-quality content, streamline processes, and help drive results, but it can’t replace human creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

In my company, we have been using it to streamline the idea generation and outline creation process for content, proof work more quickly, create first drafts of content, edit content for specific tones, create email templates, generate campaign assets quickly, like campaign briefs, and even generate tables of data and analyze them. I would recommend trying all of those use cases to see what is most beneficial to your business.

Q: What are the risks associated with using these platforms?

A: Security is the largest risk. ChatGPT is an open-source platform, which means anyone can access its code and modify it. It uses the information it learned from training data to generate responses. This leaves room for error— so all output should be fact-checked for accuracy and timeliness.

give them to refine the model. Additionally, it has limited knowledge of the world and events after 2021, so keep that in mind while using this platform. It is not operating with the timeframe of knowledge you have personally.

Another important note for content creation specifically is that nothing generated from AI can be copyrighted. That is important to keep in mind when generating blogs or landing pages. You own the output you create and can use the output for commercial uses with ChatGPT, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise—regardless of whether output was generated through a free or paid plan—but all ChatGPT output is subject to the content policy and terms.

Q: What impact do you think these technologies will have in marketing and branding?

A: We have already seen AI has had a large impact particularly on jobs in content marketing. I think we’ll see a similar progression as we did with search where the way we promote and communicate will change drastically. I think there will be an overload of content created and I’m interested to see how Google responds to the flood of AI-generated content. To this point, they haven’t penalized it for search results but I could see that changing in the future. I think some agencies are going to take the approach of absolutely no AI use as a differentiator for “creative thought” and originality. Other creative agencies will try to operate with as few employees as possible and use AI to do a lot of the heavy lifting they would have otherwise hired someone to do. I’ve seen corporate marketing departments use it to automate things like emails and webinars and even develop marketing campaign briefs for their industry. I think we are in a time where the world is our oyster and we can make of it what we want.

Q: What tips do you have for WBEs to get started using ChatGPT?

Learn more about Brand Mark Digital at brandmarkdigital.com

There are various extensions that will allow you to expand the services and capabilities of ChatGPT. Most of the tools warn you they can access any data within any application you give it access to. For example, I don’t allow any AI tools to be integrated with my email yet because there is some sensitive information in there. Be wary of NDAs and what information you are feeding them because the AI platforms use the info you

A: Don’t be afraid of AI—embrace it. Play around with it. I think you’ll find that it is approachable and helpful in many ways—as long as you give it good prompts. Focus on how to write a cohesive, detailed prompt to get what you are wanting. Prompts can have a combination of instructions, questions, input data, and examples. Be as specific as possible, use personas—tell it who you want it to think like, and remember it can iterate on itself so tell it to be more specific. Even ask it how best to prompt itself—you might be surprised by how well it does! WE

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LEVEL UP

Next Generation Leadership and Your Small Business

By Roberta Pettis, President, FocusWorks Consulting Group, LLC

If you’re looking to predict what the typical small business might look and feel like over the next several years, a good place to start is with those people currently on the rise, the next generation of leaders. Who are they? What are their goals, values, and concerns? How do they think, and what changes, for better or worse, will these “next-gen” leaders bring to the workplace?

As baby boomers settle into retirement and nextgen leaders move up, traditionally tiered business structures are increasingly being replaced by more whole person-focused, servant leadership models that prioritize overall employee wellness over a sole focus on the bottom-line success of the company. The companies that adapt quickly and strategically to these paradigm shifts will be the ones to thrive.

Next-gen leadership is changing the workplace in several important ways:

• Collaboration: Next-gen leaders believe that working together is the best way to achieve goals. This is leading to a more open and inclusive work environment, where team members are encouraged to share ideas and feedback.

• Transparency: Next-gen leaders keep employees informed about the company’s goals, strategies, and performance. This is leading to a more open and honest communication style, where employees feel more included and more comfortable speaking up.

• Social responsibility: Next-gen leaders believe that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the community. This is leading to more sustainable and ethical business practices.

All of these changes are having a major impact on small businesses, which tend to be more nimble and more adaptable than large corporations. That means small businesses are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the changes next-gen leadership is bringing.

Here are some specific ways small businesses can benefit from next-gen leadership:

• Attracting and retaining talent: Many nextgen workers opt to work at a small business that offers a collaborative, transparent, and socially responsible work environment. By creating a workplace that aligns with the values of next-gen workers, small businesses can attract and retain the best talent.

• Improving performance: Next-gen leaders are more likely to use data and technology to make decisions. This can help small businesses improve their efficiency, productivity, and customer service.

Typically, small businesses are innovative and creative in meeting the demands of their clients. Next-gen leaders prefer a culture that allows them to explore, discover, learn, and grow. Here are a few tips for small businesses to prepare for next-gen leadership:

• Focus on DEI: Make it clear that your company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This could mean creating a diversity and inclusion committee, offering unconscious

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bias training, or creating a more inclusive workplace culture.

• Create a collaborative environment: Encourage employees to share ideas and information freely. This collaboration will lead to better decision-making and more innovative solutions.

• Focus on social impact: Show your team you’re not only committed to making a positive impact on the world, but also you want them to jump in and creatively lead these efforts.

Next gen leaders prefer a culture that allows them to explore, discover, learn and grow.

• Embrace and invest in technology: Next-gen leaders are digital natives who have grown up with computers and the Internet. They’re constantly looking for ways to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity. With the rapid rise of AI, they will be taking technology in unexplored and uncharted directions.

• Encourage risk-taking: Create an environment where risk-taking and innovation are welcome. Provide training and guidance, then empower them to take the lead on projects. This type of environment will lead to new ideas and better ways of doing things.

One thing is certain; the next generation of leaders has arrived, and they’re bringing a new set of values and expectations to the workplace. Many of the things that mattered to baby boomers over the years hold little relevance for next-gen leaders and their employees. Whether it’s balancing between work and personal life or adjusting to a hybrid remote/on-site schedule, post-Covid employees have changed the way they think about work and the time they spend outside of work.

In preparing your company for new leadership, genuine communication is essential. What are their priorities? Where do they see themselves headed in their career? Do they feel fulfilled and happy with their trajectory? In what areas would they like to grow? The answers to these questions, and the fact that you cared and were prepared to ask them, will tell you a lot about how next-gen leadership will look and feel.

One of the best ways to ensure you’re effectively developing your next generation leadership is to introduce professional executive training into your business mix. Look for a partner to meet your team where you are and work with you to open those lines of communication and foster a sense of common mission, teamwork and inspiration. Take the necessary steps to prepare for next-gen leadership and build a truly inclusive culture of understanding with the right programs, expertise and experience to help you get there. WE

Champion Circle Spotlight MEET LEO EVENTS

By Kelsey Cunningham

WBEC South’s ecosystem is fueled by the support of its certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and corporate partners. Comprised of esteemed corporations and women-owned small businesses alike, Champion Circle sponsorships are one of the most popular ways to support the network. As one of WBEC South’s newest Champion Circle sponsors, LEO Events, a women-owned global brand experience agency headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. They have not only achieved success in Memphis but have branched out with satellite locations in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as Asheville, North Carolina.

Founded in 2012 by Cindy Brewer, Co-Founder, and Principal, LEO Events has grown into a full-service agency with a diverse portfolio of clients that includes industry giants such as Walmart, Hilton Hotels, AutoZone, and Sherwin-Williams. With over 150 events produced nationally each year, LEO Events has established itself as a leader in live production and virtual broadcast, meeting and event management, creative content and brand development, as well as festivals and public events.

Cindy Brewer, Co-Founder and Principal, LEO Events

Cindy is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in hospitality, public relations, and event planning, and has been the driving force behind LEO Events’ growth. Her team of 80 and counting fill their four locations and streaming studios fully equipped with the processes and tools to produce and manage meaningful moments for their clients.

During the challenging times of the pandemic, LEO Events found a lifeline in WBENC’s WeTHRIVE program, which provided a peer group support system that proved invaluable. Through this program, LEO Events gained insights into engaging with supplier diversity representatives, registering on corporate portals and successfully pitching their capabilities to

representatives from prominent Fortune 100 brands.

The fruits of their labor were evident as LEO Events secured one-on-one meetings with influential buyers, fostered relationships with other WBEs, and expanded their network of connections. Encouraged by their initial success, LEO Events exhibited at the 2022 WBENC national conference, further expanding upon their connection and resource pool.

In 2023, LEO Events took another bold step forward, becoming one of WBEC South’s Champion Circle sponsors. This prestigious recognition not only signifies their success in the business landscape but also demonstrates the power of utilizing the WBEC South network. What sets them apart is their ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. They have weathered the storm of the pandemic by embracing new opportunities and forging strategic alliances. Their collaboration with WBEC South and WBENC has been instrumental in yielding fruitful business connections, enabling their Business Development department to deliver exceptional event solutions to women-owned businesses and corporate clients alike. Through innovation, they curated their own digital platform in which they help their clients and event attendees to take

action, whether that be volunteering, learning, or selling.

LEO Events’ commitment to their community extends beyond their professional endeavors. Cindy, together with her long-term love and business partner, Kevin Brewer, co-founded the Jay Uiberall Foundation, which supports underfunded youth development programs in Memphis. Furthermore, their recent acquisition of Serving Memphis, a 501(c)3 organization, reflects their ongoing efforts to make a positive impact in the hospitality industry by funding initiatives that benefit the Memphis community. Cindy’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized as one of Meeting Professionals International’s Top 50 Most Influential and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for “Smart Women in Meetings” by Smart Meetings Magazine Memphis Business Journal has honored her as one of the “Top 25 Super Women in Business,” while Inside Memphis Business Magazine recognizes her as a Power Player. Additionally, BizBash has named her one of the “Top 500 People in Events.” In 2023, Cindy was bestowed with a Rocky Top Business Award by her alma mater, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

As LEO Events continues to create memorable experiences and push the boundaries of event management, they remain steadfast in their

LEO Events leadership team

Kent Underwood, Principal, Cindy Brewer, CEO and Kevin Brewer, Principal.

commitment to growing their network and helping other women-owned businesses achieve the same amount of success in utilizing WBENC and WBEC South’s programs. Cindy said, “Working with WBEC South and WBENC has transformed our business development efforts and enabled us to provide exceptional event solutions for both WBEs and corporations.”

“Working with WBEC South and WBENC has transformed our business development efforts and enabled us to provide exceptional event solutions for both WBEs and corporations.”– Cindy Brewer

LEO Events’ journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of passion and connections. Their commitment to excellence and collaboration serves as a shining example to women business owners and corporations alike. As they take their place among WBEC South’s esteemed partners, LEO Events continues to be a shining success story of how strategically building your network can help your business flourish. WE

HIT MAKERS

WBEs Gain Momentum at the WBENC National Conference in Nashville

By Kelsey Cunningham

Erespective fields. Joined on stage by WBEC South representatives Sharon Reynolds and Susan Stentz, as well as WBENC President Pam Eason, Deb Ward graciously embodied the dedication and success of all women entrepreneurs.

ach year, the WBENC National Conference brings together a diverse network of women entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and supplier diversity professionals to foster relationships and make connections. Held from March 20-23, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, this year’s conference proved to be a remarkable gathering of more than 5,000 business minds and innovators. Under the theme of “Momentum,” the conference showcased an array of events, including those hosted by WBEC South. As the host regional partner organization for this year’s conference, WBEC South had a special opportunity to showcase and celebrate the talented WBEs throughout the region.

During the conference kickoff luncheon, Deb Ward, CEO of Televergence and Twin Oaks Guest Ranch, received the prestigious 2023 WBE STAR award on behalf of WBENC representing the WBEC South region. The WBE Star Award recognizes excellence among women-owned businesses and honors inspiring leaders in their

WBEC South’s reception, “Viva, Nashvegas!,” set the stage for an unforgettable week in Nashville. The WB Collective Nashville, WBEC South’s premier coworking space, provided plenty of space for three floors of food, music, and activations, transporting guests to an event that celebrated the essence of Nashville’s vibrant culture. Sponsored by Beam Suntory, the reception featured a signature cocktail, the Maker’s Mark Gold Rush, a refreshing blend of lemon, honey, and whiskey. The night came alive with performances by singer-songwriter Rachel McCamy, blues instrumental band The Lilliston Effect, and country artist Guerin Lewis. Food trucks lined the streets, offering Nashville favorites such as hot chicken, tacos, and barbeque. WBEs and corporate partners alike enjoyed recording their own country music album in the WBEC South recording studio, commemorating the night by screen printing a custom tote bag with the help of Hip-Hues, one of WBEC South’s local WBEs, and networking the night away.

This year’s conference featured an unrivaled Expo, where certified women-owned businesses and corporate partners showcased their products, services, and commitment to supplier diversity. This dynamic platform facilitated productive meet-and-the sessions and provided a unique opportunity for small groups of women business

owners to engage in focused conversations with corporate representatives as well as each other and foster rapport and knowledge exchange. The conference provided a platform for some of WBEC South’s certified WBEs to showcase their innovative products and services at the Women Owned Demo Stations. Companies such as Bevee, pH-D Feminine Health, and Daily Crunch provided samples or product demonstrations and offered attendees insights into their unique offerings.

Corporate partners played a significant role during the conference, with WBEC South partners including Chevron, Nissan, and Shell participating in the week’s activities. Their presence, alongside many others, highlighted the commitment to supplier diversity and the power of collaboration between corporations and women-owned businesses. Local resource partners, including Metro Nashville, also attended WBEC South’s events, further emphasizing the importance of community engagement.

Following the conclusion of the WBENC National Conference, WBEC South hosted the Women On Par golf tournament at the picturesque Gaylord Springs golf course. This first-of-its-kind golf scramble tournament brought together WBEs and corporate partners in a day of celebration. Hospitality tents featuring women-owned companies, including certified WBEs and those affiliated with the Women’s Business Centers and Enterprising Women of Color, dotted the course, serving their food and beverages to golfers. The tournament culminated in a barbeque dinner where awards were presented to the winning teams.

The 2023 WBENC National Conference in Nashville proved to be a transformative and empowering week, celebrating the momentum of women entrepreneurs. As the connections made continue to flourish, the impact of this remarkable week will extend far into the future. WE

Attendees enjoyed three levels of local entertainment and activities at the Viva NashVegas reception at the WB Collective Nashville.

The Women on Par golf tournament at Gaylord Springs golf course was a hit with WBEs and Corporate Members.

WBEC South Board of Directors

Honors an Icon:

Establishes the Candace Waterman Scholarship Fund for WBEs

he vision at WBEC South has always been to create a fund that supports the entrepreneurial development and advancement of female founders and business owners through advanced management education. The challenge is that many of the most prestigious and rigorous programs are priced beyond what the average business owner can afford to invest. So, what is the solution?

The establishment of a scholarship fund that opens doors to educational and developmental opportunities for women business owners looking to sharpen their leadership and managerial skills. Better CEOs make better businesses. It’s that simple and no one understood

that more than WBE champion and national president of Women Impacting Public Policy, Candace Waterman. Throughout her time at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), to her all too brief tenure at the helm of WIPP, Candace was a steadfast advocate for WBEs. She firmly believed in investing in oneself through lifelong learning. So, it was only fitting that, after her untimely passing, the Board of Directors of WBEC South, unanimously elected to establish the Candace Waterman Scholarship Fund for WBEs.

“Candace held a special place for WBEC South. She was always a resource, sounding board, and champion who generously shared her knowledge and passion around difficult conversations on equity for women entrepreneurs. She was a force to witness, and I can’t think of a better way to honor her than to support a scholarship fund in her name.”

– Susan Stentz, WBEC South Chair Emeritus

Teresa Lawrence, CEO of Delta Personnel and friend, shares, “Candace was a godsend to many of us looking to navigate the waters of business ownership. She understood our challenges and always had time to share her advice and knowledge when asked. She will be missed, but her mission will live on through this scholarship fund.”

According to WBEC South President & CEO, Phala Mire, “Our hope is that this scholarship fund grows to a level that furthers our commitment to entrepreneurial education at the highest levels. We want our WBEs to compete with the best companies in any industry, not just the best WBEs. This fund will allow us to provide much-needed resources to deserving entrepreneurs in the name of someone who worked tirelessly for WBE advancement.” WE

For more information or to donate to the Candace Waterman Scholarship Fund for WBEs, please visit wbecsouth.org/donate.

Candace Waterman

Candace Waterman Tributes from the WBENC Family

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Candace Waterman, CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy, a visionary leader, trusted partner and beloved friend, we asked members of the WBENC network to share their thoughts and memories in WE South.

Teresa Lawrence President & CEO, Delta Personnel,

Inc.

A selfless soul with a surplus of “let’s get it done” no matter if the resources were scarce, or the wall was too big to climb. She would go through it and take you with her as long as the success was yours at the end. A walking problem solver, key connector, encyclopedia that would be very hard to ever duplicate. What can you say about the incomparable Candace Waterman? She was one in the world…but to many of us, she was the world. We have a void.

LaKesha White

Vice President, Certification, WBENC

Candace was like no other woman I’ve ever met. She was a champion for women entrepreneurs, an amazing leader, and everyone’s best friend (or so they thought). If Black Girl Magic needed a spokesperson, it was her. The impact she had on those she encountered is immeasurable and I will forever be indebted to her from her phone call in 2011. I will miss my mentor, mother/sister but most of all, my friend. There is no doubt I AM because of HER. #theCANeffect

Blanca

Robinson CEO, WBEC South (1998-2015)

Hey, Chica! That was our usual greeting, whether by phone, text or face to face. When I met Candace, little did I know this beautiful bond between us would encompass 20 years. I have great memories of us working together, socializing over dinner or simply relaxing in my backyard. I will miss you dearly, my incredible friend, and will strive to live up to your example of being #UnapologeticallyMe.

Pamela Prince-Eason

President & CEO, WBENC

Candace’s impact on women’s entrepreneurship, advocacy and leadership is immeasurable. She led with an unmatched power, grace and light that aided countless others to achieve their own greatness. While she will be terribly missed, her legacy and inspiration will continue to inspire and motivate all of us to strive for more and to always look for the opportunities in every challenge.

UAB SMALL BUSINESS INCLUSION

This program connects students with Diverse Business Enterprises to build employment and economic growth opportunities. We place students in internships that complement their skill sets and the needs of partnering businesses.

This initiative ensures local and small Diverse Business Enterprises receive fair opportunities to bid on smaller UAB projects. These projects are typically limited in scope, consist of interior renovations, and are $50,000 or less.

It is the mission of the Department of Small Business Inclusion (SBI), as a unit within the UAB Facilities to increase participation of Diverse Business Enterprises in the procurement and construction process through education, advocacy, mentoring, relationship building, and other data driven initiatives.

We educate students, be proactive in developing active partnerships between UAB and Diverse Business Enterprises. We understand when the local economy does well, its a win-win for UAB and local businesses.

AWARDS SEASON

WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP GALA

By Kelsey Cunningham

In the heart of New Orleans, on December 1st, 2022, the Four Seasons Hotel played host to an enchanting evening that celebrated the great accomplishments of individuals throughout the WBEC South community. The Women’s Business Enterprise Awards and Scholarship Gala brought together partners, supporters, and certified women-owned enterprises (WBEs) for a night of celebration, networking, and inspiration.

The Women’s Business Enterprise Awards and Scholarship Gala is an annual event that recognizes and honors exceptional women-owned businesses and community partners. In 2022, the evening commenced with anticipation and excitement as award nominees and distinguished guests filled the elegant venue. Phala Mire, President and CEO of WBEC South set the tone for the event, emphasizing the remarkable accomplishments throughout the network.

Some of the most notable moments were the honoring of individual excellence, with several notable awards presented. Jessica Findley of NeoWaste claimed the Innovation Award, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful change throughout her niche industry. Theresa Jones of

EvalvIQ received the Enterprising Woman of Color Rise & Shine Award for her inspirational leadership and unwavering determination, leaving no dry eyes in the audience.

The event was more than just an evening of recognition. It was a celebration of community and collaboration. Over 200 attendees joined together for a cocktail hour, sharing stories with new and old friends alike before being seated to enjoy a delectable plated dinner, followed by dancing the night away to the lively tunes of a talented live jazz band. WBEC South’s commitment to showcasing women-owned businesses did not stop at award recognition. They carefully crafted their vendor list to showcase as many food, beverage, and hospitality companies as possible. Awardwinning wine sponsors and certified WBE, Cotes De Femme, generously added to the ambiance by providing bottles of wine for all guest’s tables, as well as a captivating photo backdrop.

Beyond the glamour and festivities, with the help of the network both present and at home, WBEC South was able to raise over $10,000 with the success of the silent auction. The proceeds fund WBEC South’s scholarship programs which are dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs

Award honorees, WBEs and Corporate Members loved the Wall of Femme sponsored by Cotes de Femme.

gain valuable opportunities and resources. Additionally, the gala offered a valuable platform for participants to connect with corporate partners, forge meaningful relationships, and expand their professional networks. It emphasized the significance of leveraging the WBENC certification and provided a space for women business owners to share their experiences, wisdom, and expertise.

As we reflect on the extraordinary achievements of the 2022 WBE Awards and Scholarship Gala, we eagerly anticipate this year’s gala and summit. Each year, the gala promises to be an even greater celebration, showcasing the remarkable dedication of WBEC South’s WBEs and partners. WE

WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARD WINNERS

TELECOM TRANSPORT

2022 Supplier of the Year | Class 1

IMAGEN

2022 Supplier of the Year | Class 2

THERESA JONES EvalvIQ

2022 Enterprising Woman of Color Rise & Shine Award

KATHLEEN HUNT

2022 WBE Advocate of the Year

PALCO

2022 Supplier of the Year | Class 3

JESSICA FINDLEY NeoWaste

2022 Innovation Award

SUE COLE WATKINS

2022 Outstanding Service

SOUTHERN COMPANY

2022 Regional Corporation of the Year

SCOTT VOWELS, PHD

2022 Corporate Advocate of the Year

PHILLIPS & JORDAN

2022 Supplier of the Year | Class 4

DEB WARD Televergence 2023 WBE STAR

NANCY SWARTOUT

ExxonMobil 2022 Leadership Award

CHEVRON 2022 National Corporation of the Year

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What is Programmatic Digital Advertising?

By Krista Pouncy-Dyson, Managing Principal, Performance First Digital

Almost everyone has experienced programmatic digital advertising in one way or another but many people do not understand how it works. There are several examples of prominent mega-programmatic digital companies such as Google, Facebook/Instagram (Meta), Snapchat, and TikTok. These tech companies possess vast amounts of data about each user, which they leverage to deliver advertisements to specific users based on their client’s goals and objectives. Programmatic advertising relies on software and algorithms to automate the buying and selling of digital ads through realtime auctions. This approach enables more precise targeting and improved ad optimization, ultimately delivering advertisers a higher return on investment.

Is Big Brother Watching?

Being involved in digital advertising for the last 24 years and witnessing the industry explode due to data, the answer is a resounding yes!

The majority of our online activities are being tracked. Our online interactions are meticulously documented through code or cookies that are embedded in mobile and desktop devices. The information is then stored by big data companies, which subsequently resell the data to ad agencies and supply-side ad networks. These agencies and networks present targeted ads to users based on their client’s goals and objectives.

One thing is clear: ad tech is big business. According to E-Marketer (December 2022), 91% of all digital advertising will be purchased programmatically. More advertisers are embracing programmatic advertising due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. It is projected that U.S. digital ad spending will exceed $260 billion by the end of 2023.

How Does it Work?

Have you ever searched online for shoes, a new

computer, or a new car? Almost immediately afterward, you start seeing ads for those products following you during your online experience. This phenomenon is known as behavioral targeting, and it occurs based on the firstparty data we leave behind or cookies across the websites in which we interact. The entire transaction happens in a matter of nanoseconds, making it one of the most commonly used programmatic digital tactics. First-party data refers to the data that a business or organization collects directly from its customers or users. It is primarily obtained through interactions such as website visits, app usage, purchases, subscriptions, surveys or any other direct engagement with the company.

We’re seeing the following trends gain traction in the advertising industry:

• Rise of Connected TV (CTV) Advertising: With the increasing popularity of streaming services, CTV advertising has become a significant trend in programmatic advertising. It allows advertisers to target specific audiences based on their viewing habits.

• Expansion Beyond Digital Channels: Programmatic advertising has expanded its reach beyond digital channels into traditional media such as TV, radio, digital billboards, taxis, in-car screens, office buildings and gas station screens. Essentially, programmatic advertising can be utilized anywhere there is a monitor.

• Data Privacy Concerns: The movement to protect our data is gaining momentum. Data privacy concerns have taken center stage, prompting advertisers to incorporate more transparency and control for consumers to address these concerns.

• Adoption of Artificial Intelligence: AI and machine learning are now being integrated into programmatic advertising to optimize campaigns, enhance targeting, and automate

GET READY TO LAUNCH

Now that you know how digital advertising works, are you ready to launch a campaign? Review the following tips to see if you’re digital-ready:

Is Your Website Conversion-Ready?

The website or landing page serves as the nucleus of any digital marketing campaign. When someone clicks on your advertisement, will they quickly find what they are looking for on your website or landing page? Is your contact information prominently displayed? Implementing a website optimization strategy is crucial to generate conversions based on your goals and objectives and achieve a return on investment.

Define Campaign Goals

Start by clearly identifying what you want to achieve. Whether you aim to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or promote a new product or service, define specific goals to measure campaign effectiveness.

Who Do You Want to Reach?

Gain a deep understanding of your ideal customers and what motivates them. Conduct thorough market research to gather insights about their demographics, preferences, and behaviors. This information will help you create targeted and relevant advertisements that truly resonate with your audience.

What is an Effective Budget?

Defining your budget requires careful consideration of several factors. First, determine the price point of your product or service. Is it priced at $15 or $5,000? The higher the price, the greater the need for a significant Share of Voice to generate engagement. Additionally, your target demographic and geographic location play a vital role in the budgeting process. These factors influence the advertising channels available to you and the scale of your campaign.

Design Eye-Catching Visuals and Content

In any advertising campaign, creativity is paramount, regardless of the platform you use. Invest in high-quality visuals, such as images or videos, that capture attention and effectively convey your message. These visuals must align with your brand identity and resonate with your target audience. Craft a clear and

concise message that highlights the unique selling points of your product or service. Focus on the benefits it offers customers and how it addresses their problems or fulfills their needs. Ensure consistency of this message across all advertising channels.

Create a Strong Call-to-Action

Include a clear call-to-action in your advertisements. Prompt your audience to take the desired action, such as making a purchase, visiting your website, or contacting you. Make it easy for them to follow and provide relevant contact information or clickable links.

Monitor and Measure

Tracking is crucial in running any digital campaign. Implement tracking mechanisms to monitor the performance of your campaign. Utilize analytics tools to gather data on key metrics, including impressions, click-through rates, conversions, and return on investment. This data will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your campaign and make necessary adjustments.

Optimize and Refine Your Campaign

Use the data and insights gained from monitoring to improve your campaign. Test different ad variations, channels, or targeting options to find the most effective combination. Regularly review and refine your campaign to maximize its impact.

Can I DIY My Campaign?

You certainly can run your social campaigns through each platform’s self-serve portal. However, it’s not easy to do when you consider the amount of time it takes, the necessary skills and knowledge needed to execute effectively, and the potentially costly mistakes that can arise. The ad technology used to run programmatic digital campaigns is even more complex and requires specific skills, certifications, and industry insights to achieve positive outcomes.

Coordinate with Other Marketing Efforts

Ensure that your advertising campaign aligns with your overall marketing strategy. Coordinate your message, branding, and promotions across different marketing channels to create a cohesive and consistent customer experience. WE

processes, as we transition to a “cookieless” online experience.

A successful digital campaign requires significant work and a dedicated strategy. Collaboration between brands and digital marketing agencies results in more effective and targeted campaigns. As technology continues to advance, programmatic advertising will continue to evolve. With an estimated growth of 10% year over year through 2027 (E-Marketer, May 2023), the sky is the limit for the future of programmatic digital advertising. WE

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