Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 30, 2018 / Share:

Throughout the month of March, we have been celebrating Women’s History Month by shining a spotlight on the women entrepreneurs and leaders in our community. What has been your greatest reward in being an entrepreneur? What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace? We’ve shared their answers to a few of these questions on our social media pages, and below, you’ll find a compilation of our favorite answers. Scroll all the way to the bottom to see the list of the 9 featured women and their companies.

What quote or song lyric has guided you on this journey?

What has been your greatest reward in being an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship isn't pretty, it's messy and overwhelming and I have become not only a smarter business woman but a more well rounded partner, mentor, colleague, motivator, friend and family member and it is this that makes me MOST proud. - Ashlee Ammons

The greatest reward is that I am perpetually learning - being an entrepreneur is a crash course in everything needed to run a business and I get to learn ALL THE THINGS. - Lauren Egge

That my perspective has been altered to always see the opportunity for an improved solution, rather than settling for just mediocre. - Channing Moreland

A wonderful community of forward thinkers who all want to support each other in their endeavors. This community of entrepreneurs relies on each other for advice and unique skill sets to try and make each venture a success. I have found that the entrepreneurs around me continue to challenge me and push me forward in my career.

Who is your role-model (or more specifically your entrepreneur role-model) and why?

Cordia Harrington and Sherry Deutschmann. They are both bold leaders who risked everything to chase their business dreams. And then, they achieved the dream - and more through sheer grit.  - Beth Chase

I am a total fangirl of Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. First, I've met her and she's genuine, driven and wickedly smart. The woman started with $5,000 and over the course of 2 years created Spanx. She understands the sacrifice and the grind of what comes with being an entrepreneur. - Jessica Harthcock

Oprah Winfrey. Starting in Tennessee, Oprah overcame every obstacle from discrimination to being underestimated to become the media mogul that she is today. She didn't allow others "no's" to define her outcome. - Stephanie Cummings

Herb Kelleher, the founder of SW Airlines. He built a successful company by putting the needs of his employees first...and focusing on doing one thing really really well. - Sherry Stewart Deutschmann

I really admire Reed Hastings at Netflix. What he started with was a super simple technology - and it was actually a pre-existing technology. He created a new way to think of a pre-existing technology. He has also continued to invest in education and social impact causes. Finally he has somehow found a way to continually evolve Netflix -- including making some missteps but being able to quickly correct the course. - Shani Dowell

What’s one thing you believe the startup ecosystem has yet to learn regarding diversity and how it’s accomplished?

Diversity drives innovation. Diverse leaders, teams, thoughts, ideas, and approaches bring about better solutions and greater results. Going the opposite direction, uniformity of perspective creates blindspots and makes companies vulnerable to disruption. Diversity is not a nice-to-have. It's a must. - Beth Chase

With less than 20% of Venture Capital going to women and less than 0.2% going to African-American women, the ecosystem as a whole is still overcoming unconscious biases. However, as more and more light is shed on this issue, the startup ecosystem is beginning to make conscientious changes. - Stephanie Cummings

I think the start-up ecosystem is still working to see the value that diversity can accomplish -- that diverse founders are going to identify markets and problems and opportunity that they uniquely see and can solve. Often the diverse talent that has the insight on problems or opportunities may be less likely to think that they will have the resources or connections to bring that vision to life.  - Shani Dowell

What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?

You are human. You are and deserve what you are willing to achieve. So go for it and find the motivation from within, not from those who question you. Defy anyone who does. - Channing Moreland

Be confident in yourself and your skills. Research shows that women who are aggressive, assertive, and confident but who can turn these traits on and off, depending on the social circumstances are more successful in the workplace. This is much easier said than done, I know. Being able to do the above well is a skill and an art in many ways.  - Jessica Harthcock

I have never *technically* been qualified for any new role I've taken on, but I always end up figuring things out. And sometimes it's clumsy! But I'm the only one that really notices. So my advice is to try things before you feel ready and to trust that you will learn how to do things along the way. - Lauren Egge

Always show your passion and determination. You want to show that your love for what you do will fuel and strengthen your determination to work your hardest. - Sarah Beth Perry

Ask for what you want. Women often don't get the pay we want, the raises we want, the titles we want, the sales we want....because we simply accept what is offered to us. Know your value and negotiate to get what you want. You'll never get it if you don't ask for it. - Sherry Stewart Deutschmann

Ashlee Ammons: COO/Co-Founder of Mixtroz. Mixtroz is a technology that drives live event attendees from the digital space (mobile phone) to physical space in real time while collecting data. They are like LinkedIn but live.

Beth Chase: CEO of c3/consulting and EC Board Chair. c3 accelerates change and value creation for Fortune 500 and private equity-backed growth businesses.

Channing Moreland: CEO & Co-Founder of EVAmore. EVAmore streamlines the relationship of live events with genius talent by automating the process of booking entertainment.

Jessica Harthcock: Founder of Utilize Health. Utilize Health is a neurological care management program that helps patients see improved outcomes and health plans see a reduction in overall care costs.

Lauren Egge: Founder of Noka Supply Co. Noka Supply Co. is creating daily health accessories that don’t sacrifice style for utility.

Sarah Beth Perry: CEO & Founder of With The Band. With the Band is a mobile app that is creating a whole new experience for dedicated music fans.

Shani Dowell: Founder of Possip. Possip helps schools get weekly parent feedback through quick surveys and an engagement platform – turning parent gossip into constructive information for schools.

Sherry Stewart Deutschmann: CEO of Sunset Ventures. Sunset Ventures invests in women-owned businesses which employ an employee-first business model.

Stephanie Cummings: CEO and Founder of Please Assist Me. Please Assist Me is an all-in-one personal home assistant mobile app and service.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

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