FALL/ WINTER FLORIDA • CAPITAL CITY REGION
2016
LINLEY PASKE and LAUREN PASQUALONE
Taking Care of Business Being Thankful Is Good for Business What’s in Your Crisis Toolbox? Mindful Eating in the Workplace Make Your Professional Profile Shine Work-Worthy Online Resources
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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A vision is the power of seeing something, seen in a dream, trance, mental image, foresight, etc. Our well-known event What Women Want was once a vision of Dot Ealy, VP/MM of Cumulus Tallahassee, that became a reality back in 2010. This past June, the 7th Annual What Women Want had 100+ vendors and 5,000+ attendees. Success is achieving favorable results. If you know Dot, you’ve probably heard her say, “Radio is not going away, it’s more vibrant than ever,” The success of this event has proven that. The numbers that matter the most are what Cumulus delivers to your bottom line .
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For Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities please call Dot Ealy at 850-201-3005 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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FEATURES 24
On the Cover: Linley Paske and Lauren Pasqualone: Business Besties There’s no stopping the dynamic duo of LP2 Boutique Agency. Fun and fabulous, these two clearly have a vision and a mission: to help businesses in the community to grow and thrive.
By Heather Thomas Cover photography by Adam Cohen Styling by Nancy Cohen
28
Kristin Dyer Is Proving That Change Is Good As Chief Financial Officer, Kristin Dyer is keeping the finances healthy for Capital Regional Medical Center.
By Keasi Smith Photography by ElleBelle Photography
wwmb magazine is a sister publication of
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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FLORIDA * CAPITAL CITY REGION FALL/WINTER 2016 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2
PUBLISHER Kim Rosier
WOMEN ON FIRE
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
EDITOR Heather Thomas ADVERTISING Jennifer Stinson GRAPHIC DESIGN Christy Jennings
YOU ARE INVITED to Join the Discussion and
Keep the Flame Burning Become a Member of Tallahassee Woman Magazine’s Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) Community
MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES: • Networking and Educational Opportunities • Access to Online Forums and Social Media Sites • Monthly E-mail Newsletter • First Notice of WWMB Events • Inclusion in Membership Directory
THERE IS NO FEE TO JOIN. Sign up now at talwoman.com/women-who-mean-business.
OFFICE/BUSINESS OPERATIONS Jane Royster Munroe, CFO
wwmb magazine is a sister publication of Tallahassee Woman magazine. It is published two times per year and is mailed and distributed to businesswomen throughout Tallahassee and the surrounding area. For subscription information e-mail wwmb@talwoman.com.
ADVERTISING
For more information on advertising, call (850) 893-9624 or e-mail wwmb@TalWoman.com. Tallahassee Woman Magazine LLC Post Office Box 13401, Tallahassee, FL 32317-3401 Phone: (850) 893-9624 Fax: (850) 254-7038 E-mail: wwmb@TalWoman.com Copyright ©2016 Tallahassee Woman Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or in whole, without expressed written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
The information in this publication is presented in good faith. The publisher does not guarantee accuracy or assume responsibility for errors or omissions.
6 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
contents 10
fall/winter 2016
38
14
8 FROM THE PUBLISHER Making It Our Business
10 TRENDS Business & Entrepreneurism: Why Being Thankful Is Good for Business by Keasi Smith Technology: Make Your Business Profile Shine by Cassie Mahew
14 IN THE KNOW
Finance: Angel Investors: Why Investing in Women Makes Good Cents by Barbara Wescott
30 PROFILES (Special Sponsor Section)
Fiona Nicholson of Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home | Colene Rogers of Big Bend Society for Human Resource Management | Lydia Bell of ElleBelle Photography
34 STEAM—Science, Tech, Engineering, Art,
Math–Sowing the Seeds of a STEM Sisterhood B By Dr. Asha Fields Brewer
36 PHILANTHROPY & SERVICE
INIE: A Resource for Nonprofits by Sara Dreier
38 JILL OF ALL TRADES
What’s in Your Crisis Toolbox? by Dr. Michelle A. Mitcham, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, CFM
Online Technology: Work-Worthy Online Resources by Rebecca Thomas Marketing: Advocacy: Your Key to Business Success by Karen Moore Legal Issues: The Difficult Talk by Dena H. Sokolow Lifestyle: Mindful Eating in the Workplace by Sara Dreier
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40 WORKING WOMEN’S WEB Working Women to Watch | Spotlight | Working WomenWednesdays at Domi Station | Get Connected | Biz Scene
50 ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF BUSINESS
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
MAKING IT OUR BUSINESS It’s an exciting time to be in business. Our community is growing by leaps and bounds with new opportunities for professional and entrepreneurial advancement.
“When women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.” – Phylicia Rashad
As women-owned businesses and women in executive level positions continue to grow to levels higher than ever, there are still gaps in industries where women are underrepresented— particularly those in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. But that is changing, and to continue to make progress we must encourage, support and cheer each other on to allow for women to attain equal footing and greater heights. The cover women, Linley Paske and Lauren Pasqualone, founders of LP2 Boutique Agency are doing just that. Their “open hands” approach to business helped them make connections as they grew their business, and it was not unusual for these open hands to be women in the same market. Dubbing this as “co-opetition,” this approach has caught on and the dynamic duo are achieving impressive amounts of success as a result, with divdends that go beyond the work-life. I have personally witnessed the “open hands” mentality through members of the Women Who Mean Business Community. Each time I am inspired and motivated to continue to provide even more opportunities for our powerful network of businesswomen in their collaborative and supportive efforts and to be a model for future businesswomen. Through this mutual support, we all win, and our community becomes even stronger, not only economically but socially as well. In this issue we bring ideas from local experts on ways that you can advance your business and professional pursuits. From tips on marketing, crisis management and the dividends that come from investing in women-owned businesses, our goal is to deliver ideas that will educate, motivate and inspire you. It’s your business, but we are making it our business to help you reach that next level of success. Until next time,
Kim Rosier Publisher 8 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
CONTRIBUTORS
Dr. Asha Fields Brewer is a speaker, author and radio personality. She combined her love of sports medicine and her faith background to launch the Temple Fit Health organization in 2012. Through her weekly radio show, health empowerment programs, and inspirational speaking engagements, she has equipped communities across the nation to live well.
Dr. Michelle Mitcham, LMHC, NCC, CFM, a professor, life coach, author, psychotherapist and family mediator, founded Courageous Conversations, LLC. She has expertise in diversity, empowerment, vision boards, conflict resolution and family court matters. Dr. Mitcham regularly presents and speaks at regional, national and international conferences when not teaching at FAMU, where she is the Program Coordinator for Counseling.
Karen B. Moore is founder and CEO of Moore Communications Group and author of Behind the Red Door: Unlock Your Advocacy Influence and Success. As an entrepreneur and industry thought leader, she is highly sought after for her integrated communications and crisis communication counsel. Karen has conducted media and advocacy training sessions for Fortune 500 companies, elected officials and national associations. Contact Karen online via karenbmoore.com.
Dena H. Sokolow is a shareholder with the law firm of Baker Donelson in their Tallahassee office. Dena has more than 20 years of experience counseling and defending employers and management on a wide range of labor and employment matters. She also conducts workplace training and audits and is a featured speaker on employment law topics across the country. You can follow Dena on Twitter @FL_Employ_Law.
Rebecca Thomas is a blogger who lives and works in North Florida, and studies remotely in Central Florida, at the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability. When she’s not chasing articles on Flipboard, you can find her at rebeccadthomas@blogspot.com.
Barbara Wescott is the founder of Swellcoin.com, a local loyalty cash-back platform to grow more local spending for small businesses, keeping more money and jobs in our community. Swellcoin is located at Domi Station, Tallahassee’s technology incubator.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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TRENDS
business and entepreneurism
WHY BEING THANKFUL IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS By Keasi Smith
On a surface level, we all know that “feel good” feeling that comes over us when we engage in altruistic activities or the boost in our mood when our hard work is recognized. In fact, studies show that the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that releases dopamine, also known as the “reward neurotransmitter,” lights up like a Christmas tree when feelings of thankfulness are expressed. The importance of letting your loved ones know they are appreciated is wildly recognized, and now the business world is catching on to the amazing benefits of practicing thankfulness in the workplace as well.
BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES
Making an effort to let your employees know their hard work is appreciated can do wonders for employee engagement and encouraging employees to continue to go the extra mile. There are numerous ways to cultivate employee gratitude, including the enactment of protocols and procedures such as performance reviews. Staff meetings are also a great time to praise employees, especially those working behindthe-scenes whose contributions often go unnoticed. Regardless of how you make these efforts, remember to aim for quality not quantity. Wait for the right moments. This will show you’re really paying attention and not simply going through the motions.
BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS
Everyone wants to feel appreciated, including your customers and clients. After all, without them, where would your business be? Simple acts such as remembering their name and their
preferences can go a long way. Remember that your business depends on their success as well. To support this symbiotic relationship, make a point to take an interest in what’s going on in their lives and offer assistance when you can. Let them know of any special events or sales that would be of benefit to them, and most important, ask them for their feedback and take those suggestions to heart.
BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
It’s no secret that businesses rely on their communities, but this also means that when communities are in need, businesses ought to jump at the opportunity to help. Charitable opportunities are not only good for the soul and company morale but for profits too. Philanthropy reflects positively on your leadership and makes people want to support your business. Take these experiences working with community boards or nonprofit organizations as an opportunity to learn new strategies, build relationships with clients and open up to new markets. This connection to your community is something that will take time but results in a lasting relationship between companies and their communities.
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WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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TRENDS
technology
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Tips For Making Your Business Profile Shine By Cassie Mayhew
LinkedIn is a social media site that specifically caters to the business community, focusing on the user’s employment history and education while including them in a professional network newsfeed. Some users use the site for job searches or for new business prospecting, which makes it especially important that the profiles be as professional and well-done as possible. It’s not always easy to make yourself stand out on the Internet, but with these tips and tricks, you are sure to have a business profile that shines.
Put in the time to make your profile stand out. When your profile is complete, odds are that your profile will be viewed as more credible. Fill out all of the sections and remember that this is not a résumé—you are allowed to use first person, but keep it professional.
Choose a clear picture. A profile photo can go a long way in
showing what kind of person you are. Choose a photo that is clear, friendly and business-appropriate.
Create a custom URL. Using your name in your URL gives it
a chance to show up in Google when your name is searched. This gives a potential employer the ability to see your professional profile more easily.
Make strategic connections. LinkedIn is all about quality
over quantity when making connections. You are more likely to be found in results if you are connecting to those who are connected to the opportunities that are relevant to your goals. So don’t connect to just anyone—be strategic.
Avoid buzzwords. Avoid words like motivated, passionate,
creative, driven, responsible, strategic, track record, organizational, and expert. Instead of telling an employer that you are all of those things, show them. Use numbers and results, and get recommendations to show that you are more than just a buzzword.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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IN THE KNOW
finance
ANGEL INVESTORS Why Investing in Women Makes Good Cents By Barbara Wescott
Increasingly, Tallahassee is making a name for itself as a great city for entrepreneurs—most recently recognized as a Top 50 City for Entrepreneurs from Entrepreneur magazine. This and other prominent rankings reflect the determination of our marvelously diverse community
to come together to expand economic opportunity for everyone. And with technology serving as the fastest growing field of opportunity, there are new efforts under way to have our tech sector reflect the diversity that has made our city so strong.
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Nationwide, women are igniting a path of successful business ownership, and African-American women and women of mid-age are leading the way. However, these successes have hardly infiltrated the male-dominated and youthful field of tech. Ironically, this is occurring
despite the fact that women-led tech companies are not only far more capital-efficient, they achieve a near 35 percent higher return on investment (ROI) than firms led by men. Remarkably, women have achieved these outcomes while receiving less than 50 percent of the funding capital provided to their male counterparts and less than 7 percent of Venture Capital (VC) funding. A shrinking pool (6 percent) of women VCs only exacerbates the problem. Yet here in Tallahassee, we can create a new paradigm for women in tech and set an example for others to follow. With the launch of Domi Station 2.0, our community incubator’s emphasis on diversity has intensified, and for a good reason. These shortages of women in tech and startups highlight an untapped opportunity. Tallahassee has a talented and engaged pool of amazing women entrepreneurs and a startup community eager to embrace them. Convergence of these issues brings an angelic opportunity for the women of our community—a network of fellow Tallahassee angel investors to collectively invest in our viable, early stage, women-led startups. The term “angel investor” or “angel” is typically an individual who provides capital for a business startup, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. Increasingly, angel investors are organizing into angel groups or networks to pool their investment capital. Currently, groups of female angel investors are few and far between. Women funding and investing their resources into other women has the potential to powerfully change the dynamics of the current investment and startup playing field. Doing so will not only support those women in the trenches now and provide even more opportunities for the women that follow, but more important, it will grow the ranks of women angels in Tallahassee. With tech standing as such a dominant force in the economy, the involvement of more women founders, teammates and investors in our startup community will only further enhance Tallahassee's ranking as a Top 50 City for Entrepreneurs. With the help of angel investors in the future of women in the community as a whole, we can cultivate a thriving presence of women founders and teammates that will help drive the launch of jobcreating, money-making, successful startups.
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www.poplefinancial.com 850-383-1907 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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IN THE KNOW
online/technology
Work-Worthy Online Resources By Rebecca Thomas
If you’re like me, you enjoy looking for inspiration that helps you to do your job better. There is plenty of online content, both written and visual, that seeks to motivate and engage workers at every level.
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MindTools.com: If you want to master the art of project and time management, Mind Tools is the ultimate coach. I particularly love its YouTube channel and refer to it often.
About Me: About Me is a personal website hosting company, and they host my personal page. I like the format (very little scrolling)—links, bio, picture and hashtags all on one page.
Google+: Google Plus is a social media platform, but I like to think of it as my personal online library. When I find an interesting article, I often save the link to my profile, so that I can read and refer to it as needed. I also have a collection where I post blog updates and work life news.
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IN THE KNOW
marketing
“Advocacy: Your Key to Business Success” By Karen Moore
Advocacy, once a tool reserved for influencing public policy, is now an essential part of any successful business strategy. Modern advocacy is about solving issues and effecting change—inspiring collaboration to support causes and rally for brands; it’s integrating advocacy tactics with marketing strategies designed to influence decision makers. Whether the goals are to increase revenue, engage in new markets, enhance corporate brands or affect public policy, advocacy can help you accomplish them. As you begin to think about the role advocacy can play in your business, consider these takeaways from my new book, Behind the Red Door: Unlock your Advocacy Influence and Success. 18 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
WHY ADVOCACY
Consumers today expect companies to go above and beyond to contribute to the greater good. According to a survey conducted by Forbes, 88 percent of consumers think that alongside achieving their business goals, companies should also work to improve society and the environment. Corporate social responsibility is a driving factor in purchase decisions and brand consideration, especially among millennials. Large corporations such as TOMS and Southwest Airlines differentiate themselves through outreach. At Moore Communications Group, the passions of our employees drive our efforts. From the beginning, we’ve worked with nonprofit organizations in a variety of ways, including providing communications support, feeding the hungry, hosting a day of activities for seniors and sending letters to veterans. Advocacy impacts the community and connects you to your audiences in a personal way.
CULTIVATE YOUR BRAND
A brand is not a logo, an identity or a product. A brand is a person’s gut feeling about your product, service or organization. It is a living concept and should be nurtured over time. An advocacy approach to branding includes: 1. Helping your audience achieve their goals. Individuals want organizations to help them reach their personal objectives, and they want to be asked what they need, rather than being told. These goals can align with corporate advocacy initiatives and business strategy.
2. Listening and responding thoughtfully. Emphasis is placed on listening to your audiences and taking action based on their feedback. That means giving audiences multiple ways to communicate with you, bringing them into the creative process and empowering them to share with others. 3. Being transparent and honest. Be up front about your advocacy alignment and why your organization supports or directly engages in advocacy campaigns.
SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS As more people seek the advice of friends and family to help them make decisions about the issues they support or the products they purchase, it’s more important than ever for companies to adopt—and maintain—aggressive marketing and communications strategies that build relationships.
A successful organization shares experiences focused on real people. Tell stories that connect you to your consumers and your consumers to each other. Through advocacy, you can impact your community and build passion among your clients or customers. These strategies build influence in ways traditional marketing can’t. Advocacy can help take your business to the next level.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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IN THE KNOW
legal issues
THE DIFFICULT TALK by Dena H. Sokolow
When people hear what I do for a living, it is not uncommon for someone to remark, “How can you defend harassers and discriminators?” As an employment litigation defense attorney, part of my job includes representing companies being accused of workplace misconduct. The sad truth is that harassment and discrimination in the workplace still exists. In my experience, however, many claims of “hostile work environment” and discrimination stem from a breakdown in
communication rather than discriminatory or sinister motives.
employee. For example, a supervisor may not acknowledge or correct a performance deficiency because he Effective communication is not only or she does not want to embarrass key to a productive workplace, but it a subordinate for fear of receiving is also a crucial element to a happy a negative response. In turn, when one. Major companies such as Google it is later determined that the and Yahoo recognize the interplay employee needs to be disciplined, between open communication, demoted or terminated because happy and productive employees and of the performance deficiency, the financial success. Open workplace employee is caught completely offcommunication can be difficult guard and begins to question the for both the employer and the motives of the employer. On the
20 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
other hand, an employee may be hesitant to complain about a situation or express an idea due to concerns about job security or retaliation, never providing the employer with the opportunity to correct an issue before it’s too late. When employees feel they are not heard or have no outlet to voice concerns, this inevitably leads to low morale, less productivity, resentment and, many times, a lawsuit. The inequitable “power” between management and employees is an obstacle for both parties. Whether the communication is a conversation, an e-mail or a text, messages can be misinterpreted. It is important for managers to communicate specific expectations and clarify, encourage and remind when needed. It is also incumbent upon the employee to bring concerns in a timely, productive manner, offering the issue, the impact of the issue and possible solutions to the issue rather than just complaints. Whether you are a manager or an employee, the most important thing to remember is to actively listen. Paraphrase what you hear to make sure you are understanding what the other person is trying to communicate. I once had a case in which a female employee sued her employer for sex discrimination on the basis of failure to promote. When I first met with the employee’s male supervisor, he was genuinely hurt and distraught that the employee whom he had managed for almost ten years had made such terrible accusations against him. He repeatedly claimed that he never knew the employee was interested in being promoted and that she had seemed very happy in her position, which had flexible hours and not-too-demanding tasks. When I asked him if he ever questioned or spoke to the employee about her goals or ambitions within the company, he admitted that he never had. Similarly, when I questioned the employee, she also acknowledged that she never spoke to her manager about her desire to move up in the organization because she was afraid to “rock the boat.” After we got both parties into a room together and created an environment where open dialogue was welcomed, they were able to collectively craft a career path for the female employee with many ideas, suggestions and encouragement from her manager. I could fill this magazine with examples such as this one, where a breakdown in communication led to fostering resentments (and lawsuits) that could have been easily avoided. The bottom line? Communicate. Avoiding unpleasant or uncomfortable conversations often leads to far worse consequences.
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IN THE KNOW
lifestyle
Mindful Eating in the Workplace By Sara Dreier
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It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the workweek. Mornings might consist of snoozing the alarm and rushing out the door, only to be reminded by your empty stomach that you’ve missed breakfast and that the only viable options for lunch are vending machine snacks or eating out, yet again. Let’s also not forgot the stash of candy and desserts constantly taunting you from the break room. Skipping meals and sugar overload on a consistent basis can lead to constant fatigue, unwanted weight gain and more serious health issues later in life. So, what’s a girl to do?
Plan ahead.
It may seem like a hassle, but meal prepping the night before will save you time and effort in the morning. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats to keep you energized throughout the workday. A fun tip for breakfast: layer Greek yogurt, granola, fruit and nuts in a mason jar and stick it in the refrigerator for a quick and delicious meal on the go. Store everything in an extra large ziplock bag or an insulated lunch box.
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Eat when you’re hungry.
This is a no-brainer, right? It should be. How often do you ignore hunger cues and opt to keep working due to lack of time? Listen to your body—it knows what it wants. Skipping meals has proved to be even more detrimental than unhealthy food choices. This leads to a spike of cortisol and insulin in the body, which leads to an increase in anxiety and unstable sugar levels. Waiting too long to eat depletes your body and tires out your metabolism and may lead to overeating at nighttime.
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Eat mindfully.
That’s right—drop everything and eat. Society operates off multitasking, which is ironically inefficient and is a contributor to mindless eating. Take this time to yourself to regroup and enjoy your meal. If you’re eating out and the portion is large and overwhelming, portion it out in a to-go box before you dig in. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet in the office should be taken as seriously as the job itself. Once it becomes a habit, your body, mind and mood will benefit.
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WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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COVER FEATURE
24 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
TAKING CARE life business in
and in
by heather thomas // photography by adam cohen
Take care—two words that changed the lives of Linley Paske and Lauren Pasqualone of LP2 Boutique Agency, a social media marketing group. When these two friends and “business besties” joined entrepreneurial forces after leaving a secure, but hectic work-life, they determined to make it their mission to help themselves, and their clients, to take care of what matters most in business and in life.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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COVER FEATURE
BUSINESS BESTIES
Laura Pasqualone and Linley Paske, both worked at the same place of business for three years. Since their names had the same initials, they had an instant kinship, alongside their friendly and outgoing personalities. Married, with young children (Linley is a mother to two boys and Lauren a mother to one daughter), they traveled frequently for their jobs and the hectic, 40-plus work hours were starting to take its toll. Linley says, “We both loved our place of business and what we did in the marketing world, but realized around the same time that we weren’t taking care of our families, and ourselves—our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-beings— like we really needed to.” They both shared the desire to take control of their professional lives and schedules and run their own business, rather than have it run them. They also wanted to work with small businesses that may not have the resources to hire a marketing or public relations firm, and recognized that there was an untapped opportunity for the expertise they could provide.
“BUSINESS BESTIES AND BOSS BABES” let go of the comfortable boundaries of our lives.” Linley says they had a frank conversation with both of their husbands and families. “Then, with the support of our incredible husbands, we stepped out in faith and started our business with prayer and a detailed business plan with a timeline of goals. We cried tears of fear, but knew it was the right thing to do. This assurance made any setback easier and success sweeter,” says Lauren.
“We all deserve to curate the life that we want. Work should be a part of life, but not be our life...”
However, even with their steadfast friendship, they knew going into business together would be a risk, and their families depended on their salaries. They were fearful of taking that leap into entrepreneurialism. Linley says, “We didn’t have a business loan. We used our savings and determination to make it work. Typically, women are fearful of taking that next step when they know their salary could be cut in half, or go away entirely. It’s a very scary thing to
TAKE CARE
Over a year ago, LP2—homage to their identical initials—was launched, and their fun, “business besties and boss babes” missional approach to marketing took flight and hasn’t lost its initial momentum to uplift themselves and others to aspire to greater meaning in life and in business. “We all deserve to curate the life that we want. Work should be a part of life, but not be our life. Our mission is to help small businesses brand themselves, and to be on top of the ever-changing world of marketing and social media, but to also take care of the things in life that matter most,” says Lauren. The ‘aha’ moment for Lauren and Linley occurred when they focused in on those two words—take care. Instead of making to-do lists for their business, they started making Take-Care lists. Lauren says, “Our business model is built entirely around the goal of taking
26 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
care of our faith, health and families first, and then our business. Women too often put their professional lives and the lives of others first, and then their health and their relationships suffer, thereby lessening their professional output. We end up working too hard IN business, instead of ON our business.” They do monthly goal planning which is the heart of LP2, but they assess the goals daily since “you need to be flexible, but also have the grit to hold on to something you believe in,” says Lauren. The first thing LP2 does with a client is to help them make their own TakeCare list and set goals. Linley says, “We guide them in hacking away at their inessentials. One of my favorite quotes is by Tony Robbins—‘Setting goals is the best way to make the invisible visible.’ Goals are things bouncing around in our minds. If you don’t put it on paper and make a plan, they’ll never come to be. Research shows that if you write them down, consult with a business mentor or bestie, you will be more likely to get it done.” Lauren says, “There is no such thing as work-life balance. Work is just a fraction of it. Our main goal is to help other people put work in its place and build the business and life that they want so they can truly live.” You hear the word, ‘authenticity’ a lot in marketing these days. Authentic businesses and brands resonate the most effectively with customers and clients. LP2 understands the importance of helping their clients identify what their brand is and stay true to it. But they also don’t change who they are while helping clients. Their Biz Bestie Bootcamps and videos deliver their trademark style of fun and frivolity while getting serious results from their attendees and clients.
the next person passes it on and it all amazingly comes back to you. We are helping other women do that. After a year of doing this, we have seen the fruits that come from helping one another and not competing with one another. Years from now, I want to be coming alongside of two moms like us and helping them to take care and helping them to design a life. This has been one of the best years of my family’s life, and one of the most rewarding learning experiences. Both Linley and I are more present for the people we care about than ever before. We have built a business that we are proud of.”
“Our business model is built entirely around the goal of taking care of our faith, health and our families first, and then our business...”
A closed fist will never find hands to hold, and will be unable to let go of fear, boundaries and other insecurities that too often hold women back from connecting with their potential and with each other. Reaching out to squeeze Lauren’s hand, Linley says, “Lauren is a sister-in-heart and my sister-in-business allin-one.” As they always seem to be in synch, Lauren says, “See? She took the words right out of my mouth! We take care of each other and teach others how to do the same. There’s really no professional or personal goal more important than that.”
Linley says, “We were a little nervous at first to truly let our tutus, bows and playful personalities hang out there, but we feel that’s what helps to make marketing and social media strategizing an almost-party, and what sets us apart. We have fun together, and both of us are performers. We joke and say that this is the only way we’d ever be allowed on a stage since we’re not professional singers!”
For more about the double LP’s, visit lp2boutiqueagency.com
OPEN HANDS
Linley and Lauren are continually inspired by the people willing to have what Linley calls, “open hands,” who help them make connections on their entrepreneurial journey. Many of these hands belong to other women in the same line of work and market. This has been integral to their success, and to their own brand of “coopetition.” Linley says, “We belong to an organization called the ‘Rising Tide Society’ which is based on the saying, ‘A rising tide raises all ships.’ We believe in community over competition and call that ‘co-opetition.’ From what we have seen, it’s extremely important to have people stepping out to encourage one another and to share with others.” Lauren emphatically nods and says, “The minute you give something to someone, they pass it on, and then
Become a social media maven. Check out LP2’s article, Top 10 Social Strategies for Business on talwoman.com
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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FEATURE
KRISTIN DYER
Proving That Change Is Good By Keasi Smith Photo by elleBelle Photography
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Kristin Dyer’s journey to Tallahassee and to her current position as Chief Financial Officer of Capital Regional Medical Center begins first and foremost with her sincere desire to help others. As early as high school Kristin knew she wanted to merge her love of science and her natural ability as a people person to make a difference. “I always knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field,” said Kristin. “I stumbled across health care administration and felt like it was something I would really enjoy.” She went on to earn a master degree in healthcare administration, health policy certification and a bachelor of science in health services administration from Ohio University before leaving the safety net of her home state. “Ohio was a great place to live,” said Kristin, “but I I wanted to spread my wings.” Her wings took her all the way to Savannah, Georgia, where she interned with a physician who was a captain in the Naval Reserves. “It was the first time I’d considered a military career,” said Kristin, “I was young with a good education and I recognized that in order to be successful I needed some challenging experience, so I went for it.” Upon joining the Navy she was stationed in New Hampshire, where she would ultimately meet her husband and start a family. As a lieutenant in the Medical Service Corp, she was the comptroller for two Naval Branch Health Clinics in New England and was then promoted to Comptroller at the Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms located in Twentynine Palms, California. “If you do well and you work hard, the Navy will push you,” said Kristin, “It was one of the best professional opportunities and life experiences I could have ever asked for.”
“there are moments in your life where you’re going to be given opportunities and I encourage you to go for it and give it your all.” After three years of active duty military service and five years in the inactive reserves, Kristin made the decision to leave the Navy and establish roots. She continued her work in health care administration at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a civilian employee, and then went on to serve as the Director of Finance Business Partners at Martin’s Point Health Care in Portland, Maine. In 2013, she became Controller of Portsmouth Regional Hospital, a Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) facility. She was selected to participate in their Corporate Development Program and was promoted to Associate Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2015. She aspired to become a CFO in the HCA system, and never being one to shy away from change, Kristin seized an opportunity. Choosing where to relocate her two sons, ages four and six, was something Kristin and her husband took seriously. “It was during our search that we came across Tallahassee,” said Kristin. “Capital Regional is a wonderful facility. Tallahassee had a great community feel and it offered unique aspects other communities didn’t have.”
that puts patients first and strives to deliver high quality services,” said Kristin. “Our job to make the most challenging moments of our patients’ lives a little easier and make sure we’re giving them the best care and experience they can have.” As CFO, her number one responsibility is to offer financial stewardship for the facility and ensure Capital Regional can continue to deliver high quality care and excellent customer service to patients. “I’m not out there on the front lines treating patients,” she said, “But if I can get resources to the clinicians and other employees who are doing that, then I feel like my job is being done effectively.” As someone who has taken risks to get where she is today, she encourages other women to do the same. “It’s easy to get comfortable and not want to shake up your life and move across the country,” she said, “But there are moments in your life where you’re going to be given opportunities and I encourage you to go for it and give it your all.” And so, from Ohio, Georgia, New Hampshire, Maine and California, this wild bird has made her nest in Tallahassee, where she and her husband are looking forward to raising their family and becoming active in the community. With over 14 years of healthcare administration experience, Kristin brings to her position as CFO at Capital Regional not only her enthusiasm, but an unwavering commitment to service— and we are lucky to have her.
Since moving to Tallahassee in June of 2016, Kristin and her family have fallen in love with the city. “I am so proud to be on this team WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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PROFILES
special sponsor section
Fiona Nicholson
Funeral Director Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home
Colene Rogers
President-Elect
Big Bend Society for Human Resource Management
“People often ask what made me decide to become a Funeral Director, and my response is always the same: I did not effectively wake up one day and choose this; the profession chose me. Helping people through the most difficult time in their lives has proved to be the most important purpose throughout the last 24 years of my life.” Born in England, Fiona Nicholson began working part-time with a funeral home in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1992, while attending Florida Atlantic University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. In June of 2015, an opportunity to come to Tallahassee as the General Manager of Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home was offered to her. “Leaving my comfortable life in Pompano Beach was not easy, but it has proved to be one of the best decisions that I have ever made. While holding to traditional values, Culley’s offers families in Tallahassee a truly personalized way to celebrate the life of their loved one, and we are using technology to do so for those who prefer it. Examples include sending a link to families to create a memorial DVD that allows them to upload their photos from the comfort of their homes or providing a memorial page that remains in place forever. Family members can add content and edit over the years and can also pass this along for generations to come. Theming in favorite colors including the loved one’s avid hobbies and personal loves is another way that we make the celebration of life personal. In a nutshell, there isn’t anything we can’t or won’t do for a family. We have had many themes at the requests of our families including the beach, hunting, fishing, Whataburger, FSU, knitting and gardening just to name a few. Each service is unique and creates a memorable lasting impression for the family and friends.” Born and raised in Central Florida, Colene Rogers, SHRM-SCP, PHR, has made the most of her Florida roots. She earned her public speaking and organizational communication degrees from the University of Central Florida while dancing her way through school at Walt Disney World in entertainment. Colene has taught public speaking, acted, directed, trained and worked and consulted in human resources for over 20 years. Colene’s experience expands to private, state and nonprofit. She says, “People and companies are the same no matter what the name on the door. We can all use a little help reaching our goals, whether in compliance, coaching or leadership training, and that’s what I love to do!” Colene joined Big Bend SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) in 2009, and quickly passed the national Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification test and recently passed the SHRM-SCP, senior-level certification. Colene contributes much of her success to Big Bend SHRM and the leadership opportunities she has been provided. She has served in various positions and is currently the President. Big Bend SHRM is made up of over 275 human resource (HR) professionals, office managers, small business owners and others who want to expand their knowledge of employment law, leadership and best HR practices. It is part of the national Society of Human Resource Management and has won almost every award possible on the state and national levels over the past 33 years. Colene currently works with Syntech Systems as a Talent Acquisition Manager and is a certified speaker, trainer and coach with the John Maxwell Team.
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Peace of mind, for you and your loved ones Culley’s provides a range of offerings that can help you make plans in advance or at the time of need.
To receive your FREE personal planning guide, all you have to do is contact Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home at 850-877-8191 or 850-893-4177 www.culleysmeadowwood.com
Presented by
Scott Callen, Esq.
Thursday, September 22nd Registration 7:30 am Event 8:00 am – 10:00 am
at Keiser University
1700 Halstead Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Presented by
Gina Potito of
Lee, Hecht, Harrison
Thursday, October 27th Registration 7:30 am Event 8:00 am – 10:00 am
at Keiser University
embraces the call to advance and serve HR and management professionals through regular professional development, networking and volunteer opportunities. We welcome you to join our upcoming Employment Law Training and Master Series events. See below for more information. For more information and registration details visit BigBendSHRM.org ALL EVENTS ARE CERTIFIED FOR HRCI AND SHRM CREDITS. BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED.
1700 Halstead Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Hosted by
Kelly Mannel of
Image Partners & Society of Emotional Intelligence
Wednesday, November 30th Registration 7:30 am Event 8:00 am – 10:00 am
at Keiser University 1700 Halstead Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32309
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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PROFILES
special sponsor section Lydia Bell is the owner and lead photographer of elleBelle Photography, Design & Events, specializing in lifestyle, fashion, events and editorial, but is well-versed in all aspects of capturing life’s most interesting moments. Her studio now has become a creative home to six (and counting!) talented artists who together make up this energetic team of photographers, videographers, musicians, event planners and designers, all in this business for the same reasons—to fulfill their dreams while bringing joy to those who share their passions.
Lydia Bell Photographer
Owner of elleBelle Photography, Design & Events
As a Tallahassee native, it was very important to Lydia to stay connected to her roots and give back to her community. After seeking a balance between a career and being a full-time mommy, the opportunity to turn her hobby of photography into a full-time gig was a sincere surprise. Determination, support from family and friends and many years of trial and error brought much-earned success to elleBelle. Despite going against the grain and following her heart instead of a plan, Lydia has made a name for herself, both locally and nationally for the photography her team produces and for her proudest accomplishment—the philanthropic work they continue to make the heart of elleBelle. Lydia is a member of COCA, PPA, Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild, FPP, PPA Charities, NPPA, NAPCP, ASMP, APA Atlanta Chapter, IFPO, and Fotolanthropy. She has been commissioned by many local and national publications, organizations, businesses and events. You can find an online portfolio of elleBelle’s portraits online at ellebelle.pics.
32 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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33
STEAM
education/trade
Sowing the Seeds of a STEM Sisterhood By Dr. Asha Fields Brewer
Consider this—What protects the seed? What nourishes the plant? What contributes to strong, healthy roots? Good soil. In regards to women in STEM, this “good soil” consists of healthy conversations and supportive networks. 34 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
In today’s society where conversations are taking place about equal pay for equal work, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are still dusting off their issues surrounding gender inclusion. In the last few decades, the dialogue of “women in STEM” has been discussed ad nauseam, with most of the effort being placed on increasing interest in STEM and improving preparation for a STEM education. As a result, many programs have developed at primary and secondary institutions with the goal of supporting this agenda. However, when we review the data, we still see gaps in female representation, especially within the technology, engineering and math subsets. If the seeds are being cast, why are they not taking root? As the director of a program at Florida State University that supports underrepresented students in STEM, I find myself asking this question often. Dr. Jessica Ellis, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at Colorado State University, provides research that suggests we may have been focusing our interventions at the wrong end of the equation. In a study of college women in STEM published in the July 2016 issue of PLOS ONE, she indicated that male and female fourth-graders are equally interested in the STEM fields. However, once students entered college and completed STEM milestone course Calculus 1, the “women were 1.5 times more likely to leave the STEM pipeline than men.” It turns out that these women were not leaving STEM for the presumed reasons of underperforming, losing interest or being ill-prepared. Women left because they lacked the confidence to continue in STEM,
even after earning satisfactory grades or higher in this pivotal course.
What is the issue? I draw your attention to the soil. Consider this—What protects the seed? What nourishes the plant? What contributes to strong, healthy roots? Good soil. In regards to women in STEM, this “good soil” consists of healthy conversations and supportive networks. This “good soil” is the STEM Sisterhood. Simply put, women in STEM need other women in STEM to affirm the experience of being a woman in STEM. Dr. Taeyjuana Curry, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, articulates it this way, “Women are relational beings. However, in STEM, a lot of women feel like they have to separate who they are from what they do. This conflict impacts a woman’s mental and emotional health, so she leaves the field.” Dr. Curry attributes a great deal of perceived fulfillment in her career and persistence in STEM to having transparent conversations with other women in her field. This “STEM Sisterhood” provides a safe space to discuss and prepare for feelings of isolation when you are one of few women in your immediate work environment, feelings of having to work twice as hard for half of the recognition, feelings in alignment with the “Imposter Syndrome” and even feelings that your commitment to your work makes you an unfit partner or parent. The STEM Sisterhood also makes room for celebrating accomplishments, reflecting on career decisions and grooming STEM professionals in a way that honors the unique
experience of being a female in these fields. The principles of these and other vital conversations cannot be “taught” at after-school programs or summer camps. They must be intentionally planted in safe spaces within our community. Only then can the seeds of women in STEM grow and flourish. In an effort to provide these organic experiences for underrepresented students in STEM, the Florida State University Student Support Services (FSU SSS-STEM) program is excited to kick off its STEM mentoring program this fall. This program will engage community professionals in STEM in meaningful conversations with budding STEM students at FSU. To learn more about how you can serve as a professional mentor with FSU SSS-STEM and other ways you can support this program, contact the FSU Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement at (850) 644-9699. In addition, the mentoring launch includes a partnership with the FSU Graduate School and other campus sponsors to welcome TED Fellow and NASA Fellow Dr. Jedidah Isler to Tallahassee. Dr. Isler was the first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Yale University, and she is the founder of the Vanguard STEM mentoring program. Her lecture is open to the community and will take place on October 4, 2016, at 4:15 p.m. in the FSU College of Medicine auditorium. For more information on Dr. Isler’s visit, contact the FSU Graduate School at (850) 644-3501.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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PHILANTHROPY & SERVICE
INIE
A Resource for Nonprofits By Sara Dreier
With over 2,000 nonprofits in the greater Tallahassee area, it’s apparent that our community has a heart for charitable giving. Nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes, with missions ranging from enhancing governmental functionality to educational development to conducting research and public policy solutions. Whatever the cause, nonprofits play a major role in sustaining charitable health. From an economic standpoint, the sector itself is highly underrated. In one year alone, nonprofits based in Leon County and surrounding areas generated over $2.5 billion according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics. Unfortunately, the pitfall of many nonprofit organizations is that they are perceived strictly as volunteerbased organizations that do not have the capacity to generate sustainable
income. Many times, a nonprofit can become so hyper-focused on its mission that it fails to take into account its financial stability and program quality. The issue is not contingent on whether or not they can make a profit but how the organization chooses to allocate revenue. With the vast potential of these 2,000+ organizations, there is an undeniable need for leadership and engagement so they can continue to thrive as the backbone of our community. Enter INIE, the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence. The idea conceptualized when community leaders and representatives came together to discuss the issues that nonprofits faced throughout the entire sector. Their vision became a reality with the support of Tallahassee Community College, and in 2014, INIE was
36 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
born. Its mission is simple: to help other nonprofit organizations develop and increase their capacity to fulfill their important missions. Located in the former Mary Brogan Museum, now renamed the Tallahassee Community College Capitol Center, 9,000 square feet of space overlooking the Capitol building as a resource for nonprofits, INIE offers a wide variety of services to its members, from weekly workshops to networking socials. Its collaborative spirit benefits local businesses and law firms, as INIE has partnered with Target Print and Mail and Holland & Knight. The goal is to help vendors partner with nonprofits and help nonprofits save valuable resources. Holland & Knight, for instance, provides pro bono legal services to INIE member agencies as part of its service to the community.
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Executive Director of INIE Jessica Lowe-Minor is dedicated to helping these organizations thrive. A graduate of Florida State University with over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jessica began her career as a lobbyist for the National Organization for Women while receiving her graduate degree. “I hadn’t thought of myself as a lobbyist,” Jessica admitted. “In my mind, that involved men in suits and smoke-filled rooms.” Jessica soon found herself more invested than ever, as she took the Executive Director position at the League of Women Voters of Florida. “I quickly realized I enjoyed advocating for something I knew was going to make a difference,” she states.
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As an academic, a businesswoman and a social entrepreneur, Jessica uses her passion and vision for sustainable nonprofits to propel INIE forward. With the rise of the millennial generation as young professionals, Jessica recognizes their ambition and seeks to elevate their roles in business. Not only does INIE recruit young people, the organization is adamant that its board of directors derives from a myriad of backgrounds and ages in order to reflect the area that they are serving. With now over 120 nonprofit members, including organizations such as Domi Education, United Way of the Big Bend and the Foundation for Leon County Schools, INIE has shown unparalleled growth. Jessica says, “Through strategic entrepreneurship, nonprofits can become more sustainable over time and less susceptible to the ebbs and flows of fundraising and grant cycles. Stability is key to a healthy nonprofit and a healthy economy.” For more information on INIE, visit online at theinstitutefornonprofits.org. WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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JILL OF ALL TRADES
for every businesswoman
WHAT’S IN YOUR CRISIS TOOLBOX? Staying Solution-Focused During Work-Life Challenges By Dr. Michelle A. Mitcham, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, CFM
38 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
As successful, smart women, we know how to juggle it all, right? We balance incessant demands on our time in the course of a day—business meetings, children, family, errands and deadlines, just to name a few. But do you ever feel like you are standing under Niagara Falls trying to catch all of the water with a coffee cup? What happens when there is
that awful crisis, maybe something personal that just happens to occur at the worst possible time? Personal crises are inevitable, and we all have to deal with these unfortunate situations at some time or another in our professional lives. As women on the move, what is the most effective way to respond, communicate and handle the crisis?
First of all, know that you are not alone. This situation may test you, but it is important to draw upon your strengths, resources, a circle of support, faith and family. Remember that with courage and some risk to reach out to others, you are empowered to overcome any challenge and, as a result, be even stronger moving forward.
CRISIS TOOLBOX EFFECTIVE COPING—This begins with trying to employ problem-focused coping skills as opposed to emotion-focused coping. It is challenging to compartmentalize our emotions, but if you can brainstorm solutions without entering into the emotional roller coaster zone for a short period of time, this may help you see a way through. DELEGATE—Even though this may not be your style, this is not the time to be Superwoman. Identify someone you trust in your business or workplace to share appropriately, on a “need to know” basis, that may fulfill your role if you must leave to tend to the personal crisis. Share judiciously, as you must stay problem-focused and take the time to ascertain the issue and identify solutions. In some extreme instances, you will, of course, have to inform your business if a leave of absence is needed. In this case, leave detailed instructions for the completion of projects, tasks and deliverables. Use e-mail to follow up on small tasks from your phone or tablet. KEEP IT REAL—Reach out to your support system (family, friends, church family, community group) and share as needed. Ask for assistance with errands, phone calls, dog-walking, house-sitting, appointment setting or anything that would take something off your plate, allowing you to lower your stress and stay problem-focused. Talk to a friend over a cup of tea or coffee. PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE OF CARE—Do not hesitate to reach out to a “talk about your feelings” doctor, personal coach, lawyer or anyone that may have expertise in assisting you during the crisis. SELF-CARE PLAN—Engage in meditation, healthy eating, yoga, running, Pilates, exercise, prayer, massage or getting some rest to help renew and recharge during this challenging time. As the saying goes, it is important to put on your oxygen mask before you can help anyone else. To get through the crisis, renewal is key. HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT? ONE BITE AT A TIME. Each day will get better even though you may not see the light at the end of the road. REMEMBER that a bend in the road is NOT the end of the road. BREATHE. Exhale. Be positive and don’t lose your faith. Focus. You got this. TAKE TIME for yourself and invest in you. TRY TO BALANCE—Mind, body and spirit. WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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WORKING WOMEN’S WEB
Because every working woman needs connections, the Working Women's Web (WWW) will provide a network of opportunities, insights, groups and events to help you link up and branch out in your professional space and beyond. Browse here or online at our website, talwoman.com. E-mail us at wwmb@talwoman.com to add your own group, event or working Women to Watch submission.
Working Women to Watch Spotlight Organization Highlight Get Connected Biz Scene
talwoman.com 40 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
WORKING W O M EN Samantha “Sam” Hobbs of the Florida Engineering Society (FES) and the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) has been promoted to Director of Government Affairs and Executive Policy. She has worked for FES for 12 years and previously held the position of Government Affairs Coordinator. Sam is an active Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) member, and a graduate of the Program for Association Leadership and recently completed the Qualified Association Specialist certificate program. Jamila Campbell has opened her business Natural Nomad, a mobile massage studio offering various massage techniques. She recently moved to Tallahassee from Washington, DC, where she practiced massage for nearly a decade. She has been licensed in Florida since 2015. Becky McCrea was recently was promoted to a full-time event planner with of A Piece of Cake Event Planning. Becky graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Hospitality.
ATCH W TO Kristen McDonald has recently joined Hill+Knowlton Strategies as an account supervisor. In her new role, Kristen will support the firm’s public affairs work. Prior to this position, she was the communications director for the Office of the Majority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives and was named one of the “30 Under 30 Rising Stars in Florida Politics” in 2014, by SaintPetersBlog. Kristen holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political science from Florida State University. Dr. Valarie Dozier recently joined the practice 0f Beachton Denture Clinic and Dental Center. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biological science from the University of Nebraska and her dental degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating in 2016. She is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD), as well as the American Dental and Political Action Committee (ADPAC). Marcy Collins has been named President of Business & Professional Women (Tallahassee) for 2016–2017. Marcy is operations administrator at Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Regulatory Compliance Services.
The Florida Public Relations Association Capital Chapter installed its 2016-2017 board in August. New officers for the organization will be: President Elect Molly Kellogg-Schmauch; Immediate Past President Nanette Schimpf, APR, CPRC; Secretary Heather Teter, APR; Director of Accreditation Rachel Smith, APR, CPRC; Director of Awards and Recognition Stefanie Stricklin; Director of Development Donna Wright; Director of Membership Zoe Linafelt; and Director of Communications and PR Brianna Barnebee.
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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WORKING WOMEN'S WEB
spotlight
SPOTLIGHT Jasmyne Henderson, an attorney
from the Tallahassee office of Pittman Law Group was honored this week by the National Bar Association as an inductee of the 2016–2017 Class of Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40. This honor is awarded to the nation’s top lawyers under 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including innovation, leadership and community involvement. Jasmyne serves as both director of the government law practice and general campaign consultant for local, state and federal candidates. For her efforts in public affairs, Jasmyne was recently recognized by
WORKING WOMEN WEDNESDAYS AT DOMI STATION By Barbara Wescott
You get a group of ladies together, and good ideas are sure to follow. That’s what happened this past spring with my table-mates at the Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) Awards 2016, Women on Fire—Going Places. Flashing on the big projection screen to the hundreds of women in attendance was the inaugural cover of the new WWMB magazine. It featured the “Women of Domi,” a small group of entrepreneurial women who are taking advantage of the collaborative, tech-driven, coworking community at Domi Station.
While sharing my desire to see more women experience the benefits at Domi, it was not long before our table had a plan to make that happen. Women Wednesdays at Domi Station was born at that table, and started the next week. What followed thereafter on each Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. throughout the summer was a set time and place where women could simply show up with their laptops or projects in hand, and get right to work while having other women nearby for collaboration when desired. We soon after added a 2 p.m. speaker’s break where a variety of women leaders and entrepreneurs came to share their story of how they moved from thinking to doing in reaching their ambitions. The end result was a recognition that women are stronger together, as was the Domi startup community we inhabited. Diversity is a key driver to success in any business enterprise, and having more women bring their ideas and talents to
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Florida Politics magazine as one of the “30 under 30 Rising Stars of Florida Politics.” Jasmyne serves her community as a Girl Scout troop leader; advisor to the Pearls of Perfection teen group founded by the Delta Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; member of the South Atlantic Regional Conference Committee for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Director for the Tallahassee Barristers Board of Directors; Marketing and Membership Committee Member for the Tallahassee Bar Association; and Fundraising Chair for the ICE Foundation Board of Directors.
the table, including the coworking table, is unquestionably a real plus to women and to our tech and business community as a whole. Which is why Women Wednesdays has been extended as an ongoing program at Domi Station, sponsored in partnership by WWMB and Domi Station. Join us each Wednesday from 1-4 p.m., and for our special re-launch celebration on the evening of September 21. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, founder, mentor, investor or a woman wanting to share your talents with other entrepreneurs, the community is stronger by your presence. Let’s #CoworkTogetHER! For more information contact Barbara Wescott, barbara@swellcoin.com.
GROUPS ORGANIZATIONS NETWORKING
GET CONNECTED Business and Professional Women (BPW) BPW aims to elevate the standards for working women in business and in local and state government while bringing out the spirit of cooperation among business and professional women. It also aims to promote the interests of business and professional women, including those in the private sector as well as those in local or state government, and to extend opportunities to business and professional women through education along lines of industrial, scientific and vocational activities. To join or learn more about BPW Tallahassee, visit bpwtallahassee.com. Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) COCA is a nonprofit organization that serves as the facilitator and voice for the arts and cultural industry in Florida’s capital area. COCA works with and for those who produce, invest in and consume the arts and culture in the area. COCA works hand in hand with the city, county, state and local school district as its cultural industry partners. Members are provided with listings and e-mails of weekly events and opportunities and reduced rates for COCA events. Advertisement and meeting space at low prices are also offered to members. To learn more about COCA, visit cocanet.org. Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) KCCI brings together a diverse group of community “catalysts” who implement “sense of place” projects that help retain, attract and harness talent, increase entrepreneurship
and enhance Tallahassee’s economic mobility. KCCI projects are sustainable, typically tie in with civic infrastructure and always bring a variety of people together. To join or learn more about KCCI, visit kccitallahassee.com. Leads Groups Leads Groups are composed of local business people who believe that they can be more successful together than on their own. Through Leads, members share best practices and referrals and encourage each other’s common experiences. Each group builds a network of trust and confidence that helps its members thrive. Each group is limited to one member from each business category. Contact Betsy Gray at (850) 521-3118 to check for openings. Professional Women`s Forum Professional Women’s Forum works alongside the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to provide an informal and interactive lunchtime program that features leaders from the Tallahassee community. The program extends beyond the biographies of the leaders to provide attendees with tools, strategies and takeaways for their own success. To join or learn more about the Professional Women’s Forum, visit talchamber.com. Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals (NYP) Tallahassee NYP introduces young people to the “more vibrant side of Tallahassee.” It fosters personal and professional growth by connecting members through activities while offering career-enhancing opportunities. NYP offer members the opportunity to
network in various settings and opens the door for long-lasting connections to be made. To join or learn more about NYP, visit tallahasseenyp.com. Toastmasters International Members who participate in Toastmasters improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending meetings at one of its meeting locations around town. To find meeting location and to learn more, visit toastmasters.org. Women’s Prosperity Network (WPN) WPN was founded to create a new type of networking for women. With the use of online and offline resources, paired with WPN’s signature formula “Brilliance, Brainstorming and Breakthroughs,” women come together with a commitment to excellence and sharing their gifts and talents. To join or learn more about WPN, visit womensprosperitynetwork.com. Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) Community The WWMB Community was created for inspiring businesswomen in the Tallahassee area for networking, information and other valuable resources to engage in the community, such as networking and educational opportunities, events, online information, newsletters, social media updates and the WWMB magazine. There is no fee to become a general member. To register as a member and for additional information, visit the Women Who Mean Business Community online at the website talwoman.com, under the tab, Women Who Mean Business.
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WORKING WOMEN'S WEB
BIZSCENE KCCI
KCCI (also known as The Knight Creative Communities Institute) hosted two events at Hearth & Soul as their featured nonprofit. The events included a VIP Reception to thank the businesses and people who work to make Tallahassee a stronger community and an evening to shop, learn about and support KCCI. 1. Anna-Kay Hutchinson, Alyce Lee Stansbury, Ellen Piekalkiewicz, Nancy Miller, Stephanie Derzypolski, Berneice Cox. 2. Jenay Sermon, Lauren Pace, Sangeetha Wollet, Ellen Piekalkiewicz, Ariel Floyd, Tiffany Bowers 3. Betsy Couch, Taylor Hatch, Lauren Pace, Alison Voorhees 4. Sharon Rolfes, Sheila Costigan, Kristin Dozier
EVENTS • BENEFITS • ACTIVITIES
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4.
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CALL US TODAY: (229) 226-1631 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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WORKING WOMEN’S WEB
biz scene
2016 Women Who Mean Business Awards At Tallahassee Woman magazine’s Third Annual Women Who Mean Business Awards, finalists and guests were “Going Places” as we celebrated new elevations of success and entrepreneurship in our region. Six “Women on Fire” winners were honored for their outstanding business contributions to the community and beyond. Our community nominated a remarkable group of women for the Entrepreneur, Innovator, Rock Star, Service, Torchbearer and Legacy awards and came together to recognize their achievements.
CO MP LIM
EN TAR Y
YOUR SUM
MER PA S S
n Who Mean
TRAVEL TIP
S | GET "REEL" | SUMMER
ENTERTAIN
Business Aw
ard Winners
s
ING | STA Y COOL LO
tall aha sse
OKS e wo ma n • jun e/ju ly 201 6 1
Legacy Award Winner Margaret Lynn Duggar
Torchbearer Award Winner Stacy Gromatski Florida Network of Youth and Family Services
Dream Builders Greatness Center, Inc.,
Entrepreneur Award Winner Gloria Pugh
Innovator Award Winner Kimberly A. Moore
Rock Star Award Winner Tiffany Roddenberry
Margaret Lynn Duggar and Associates, Inc.
AMWAT Moving Warehouse & Storage
Vice President for Tallahassee Community College’s Office of Workforce Development
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201 6
P O RT
are going place 2016 Wome
plus
JUN E/J ULY
Service Award Winner Dr. Judy Mandrell
Holland & Knight LLP
Thank You Sponsors OF THE
2016 Women Who Mean Business Awards
James F. Walton III, D.D.S. General & Cosmetic Dentistry
Andrew’s Catering • Kitchenable LLC Cooking School & Catering • Missy Gunnels Flowers • Photo Fun Booth Production Support Group • Target Copy • Veritas Music School • WTWC NBC 40
WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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WORKING WOMEN'S WEB
biz scene
WWMB 2016 Awards: Women on Fire! Tallahassee Woman magazine’s 2016 Women Who Mean Business Awards—“Women on Fire Going Places!” was held at the FSU Alumni Center and was a sell-out event for the third year in a row. The ceremony included an awards luncheon honoring six businesswomen in the community.
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1. Anna Keys, Robin Safley, Deanna Mims, Sandy Safley 2. Christine Borns, Sarah Trayner, Cherilynn Rivers, Joanne Gallagher, Kim Koegel 3. The Prime Meridian Bank team. 4. Sonua Davis, Lisa Williams, Mara Cooper 5. Gerald Mandrell, Judy Mandrell, Carolyn Wydell 6. Whitney Burleson, Stormy Arkeil, Fabiana Oropeza 7. Christine Borns, Sarah Trayner, Cherilynn Rivers, Joanne Gallagher, Kim Koegel 8. Kim Bibeau, Jamie Brown, Tracy Michael, Tracy Morales, Susan Walton, Mary Lee Kierkoff 9. Jane Marks, Marsha Doll
10. Brooke Kennerly, Arthur Kennerly, Neddy Sumners, DeWitt Sumners, Margaret Lynn Duggar 11. Pam Bauer, Jovita Woodrich 12. Ann Jolley Thomas, Calynne Hill 13. Nancy Gavalas, Linda Figg, Grey Annih 14. Kristine Dobosenski, Susie Mozolic, Elizabeth Emmanuel 15. Judge Nina Ashenfanti, Sharon Ames-Denard, Tiffany Hamilton, Dr. Michelle Mitcham 16. Tiffany Hamilton, Curtis Richardson 17. TWM Interns Cristie McKee, Jolee Keplinger, Alexi Saliba 18. Tanya Wilkins, Elizabeth Ekk
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
LOOK FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF WWMB MAGAZINE IN SPRING 2017.
50 WWMB • Women Who Mean Business | Fall/Winter 2016
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