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  • 19 Nov 2019 5:10 PM | Working Women (Administrator)

    At Working Women of Tampa Bay, we celebrate Women Entrepreneurship every day but November 19th is a day designated to celebrate, embrace and empower women entrepreneurs. Women Entrepreneurship Day (WED) began in 2013. Today, WED is celebrated at the United Nations and in 144 countries.

    According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, there are almost 12 million women-owned businesses generating nearly $2 trillion in revenue every year. Data shows that since 2007, the number of women-owned companies has grown at five times the national average, with 1000 new women-owned businesses starting every day.

    Tampa Bay often ranks in the top metro areas for women entrepreneurs in studies like one done recently by Business.org. Their researchers found that 25% of small businesses in Tampa Bay are owned by women. That's not surprising. As the Founder of the largest women's networking organization in our area, I've seen the excitement and interest in female entrepreneurship steadily climb over the past 10 years. Four years ago, we launched a non-profit, the Working Women Foundation to help boost business ownership among women in Tampa Bay. Since then we've had 200 apply for seed money and we've awarded $35,000 to 50 of those applicants.

    One of those recipients, Michelle Turpeau, Founder of SocialVive Marketing shared why she thinks Tampa Bay is a great place to start a business. “I'm grateful to live in this amazing, supportive area full of opportunities and authenticity! There are so many valuable resources for minority-owned businesses like mine."

    Lori Bishop also recently opened a business. Blush Tea and Coffee has been open for about a year now in St. Petersburg. She recalled how supportive her tribe was when she shared with them her plans to open the shop. "The support was amazing, from my loved ones, neighbors, total strangers, and everyone I met through the Chamber. St Pete is incredibly supportive of local small businesses."

    Chambers play a key role in helping start-ups succeed. Ami D. Govindaraju is the Operating Partner of DryBar Tampa. She belongs to the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce which is led by female CEO: Kelly Flannery. "Tampa Bay is a diverse, growing market with a healthy environment for new businesses to launch and succeed," Govindaraju explained. "The days of the 'good ole’ boys club' is coming to an end."

    There are countless free or affordable resources for women entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay including more than a dozen chambers, SBDC, SCORE, The WAVE, STRIVE, The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, Rising Tide Innovation Center and the list goes on.

    "Tampa offers the best combination of community and resources for female entrepreneurs to grow and support each other. The connection of a mid-size city where female leaders are accessible like Mayor Jane Castor and Rita Lowman along with big-city resources like Embarc Collective, funded by Jeff Vinik. It's truly a unique place to do business," shared Out Front Brands CEO Theo Prodromitis who recently testified in front of the Small Business Committee on Capitol Hill.

    Tampa Bay is the best of both worlds when it comes to doing business. “It’s a large metro area that has a small town feel and is incredibly supportive of small businesses like mine,” explained veteran business owner Cindy Dervech of Breezin Entertainment. Sharon Fekete AKA The Doctor Whisperer agreed. "Tampa Bay is big enough to sustain a company and small enough to stand out."

    Island Massage Therapy Owner Suzanne Andrew has been in business for more than 10 years now. Just like Working Women, she's seen quite a few changes in the landscape for small businesses. "I especially appreciate the constant influx of new people with new ideas. Living in a growing city brings lots of new opportunities, new people, new ideas every day!

    Tampa Bay has a huge military and veteran community and with that comes lots of military spouses. According to a US Chamber of Commerce study in 2017, Military spouses are often unemployed (4x the national average) and under-employed (71%) as a result of moving so often. Stacy Miller is a Partner at Bright Investments and a military spouse to a retired US Army officer. She explained "because of the challenges of military life, we've mastered resilience, creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability and time management, some of the top skills needed to become an entrepreneur. So many military spouse entrepreneurs have and continue to come from Tampa Bay."

    Finally, it all comes down to connections and collaboration. Kelly Mothershead who has owned several businesses in Pasco County summed it up perfectly. "Building relationships and building up other women is something Tampa Bay does very well!"

    For those who have dreams of entrepreneurship but haven't taken the leap yet, we asked some of our members to share their advice. Here's what they had to say to celebrate this Women Entrepreneurship Day.

    "Don’t be afraid to take the risk, be prepared to put in the hours, and love what you do!" - Amy Hathcox - Amy's Day Spa in Tampa

    "Get out and meet people! There are so many organizations to be part of that you’ll be able to find your tribe in no time!” - Dr. Madalyn Turner - Atlas Chiropractic Center in St. Petersburg

    “Get a bookkeeper right away. Surround yourself with advisors who you trust for advice." - Sophie Bel - Beyond Beauty Studio in St. Petersburg

    "Find an organization that provides continued support not just during the start-up phase." Kristin McKinney - Pro Kitchen Hub in Tampa

    If you're building a business and need financial support, check out WorkingWomenFoundation.org for details on our seed money program. Most of our recent donations have come directly from successful women business owners who want to give back through our Power of 100 Project --- a campaign that encourages 100 women to donate $100 in honor of our 10th anniversary.


  • 02 Sep 2019 8:30 AM | Working Women (Administrator)


    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Beth Kerly, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Beth's list:

    1. Speak up! Use your voice when you have something to say.

    2. Be intentional

    3. Be paid what your worth and don’t be afraid to demand it

    4. Working mothers are da bomb, don’t feel guilty

    5. Tell your mother you love her any why

    6. Hire a cleaning service

    7. No one can tell your story better than you

    8. Don’t think small, take action

    9. Get into an exercise routine

    10. Cut negative people out of your life, surround yourself with positivity.

    Beth Kerly – Hillsborough Community College

    813-732-8470

    mkerly@hccfl.edu

  • 29 Aug 2019 8:13 PM | Working Women (Administrator)


    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Jen McDonald, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Jen’s list:

    1. It is ok to hit the RESET button on your whole life. Once you have concluded through a thorough review that this is ultimately what it is needed take the 1st step. The longer you wait the more time (of everyone’s) you are wasting.

    2. Trust your gut, think it through, discuss with your mentors, & take the calculated risks.

    3. You can make a living doing anything. Choose what you love and you will have a more fulfilling career.

    4. If you need help ask.

    5. No. (Period) is an acceptable answer.

    6. Timing is not as important as persistence.

    7. The only person who can set your priorities is you. If you feel like someone else has control of your life it is only because you are allowing them to do so.

    8. You must schedule time for your “oxygen” the moments that are the breath that fuels the fire in your soul.

    9. Everyone is on their own journey. Respect their process and respect yours also.

    10. Schedule management is critical.

    Jen McDonald – Merchant Insurance Solutions

    813-215-833-7353

    jenmcdonald@merchantinsurancesolutions.com

    www.merchantinsurancesolutions.com

  • 28 Aug 2019 9:27 AM | Working Women (Administrator)

    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Kristi Campbell, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Kristi's list:

    LAUGH every day. Find something to laugh about or make your heart sing.

    1. “No” means not now. Have the patience, stick to the vision, amend the plan as needed, just keep fighting for what you think is important. Knock or push on every door until one opens.

    2. Listens to what feels “right” for you. So often we doubt our instincts, both good and bad. Slow down. Listen

    3. Forgive yourself. You made the best decision with the information you had at the time. Forgive. Apologize. Fix. Move on.

    4. Prepare/Plan for chaos. Change is the only thing consistent. By planning for chaos/change the normal affect of chaos lessens.

    5. Be or do what fits for you. Your passion for who you are or what you do will help define your happiness which relates to your success.

    6. Your greatest success is emotional and not financial.

    7. Faith is knowing my reality will work out in the end.

    8. Success is the momentum of multiple decisions. – Jim Collins

    9. Treat Everyone as if They are important.

    10. Share the Credit. – Pam Iorio

    Kristi Campbell – Home Instead Senior Care

    813-684-1972

    kcampbell@aaxiomhealthservices.com

    www.homeinstead.com/482

  • 26 Aug 2019 8:06 AM | Working Women (Administrator)


    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Laura Sokolewicz, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Laura's list:

    1. Have patience. It’s going to happen.

    2. Hard "work always pays off” is not just a slogan.

    3. Don’t get consumed by what the competition does. Listen to your instincts and stay the course.

    4. Make everything simple and short, so everybody understands and complies.

    5. Know your worth and believe it!

    6. Do it, even if it’s not in your job description.

    7. Be kind and patient, even if you don’t feel like it. “Fake it til you make it” is really working!

    8. Keep your calm. Very important.

    9. Sleep on it. It will wait.

    10. Help others. It will come back.

    Laura Sokolewicz – Academic Alliance in Dermatology

    813-245-9162

    lsokolewicz@tampadermatology.com

    www.tampadermatology.com

  • 23 Aug 2019 8:31 AM | Working Women (Administrator)

    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Michele Northrup, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Michele's list:

    1. Jump first figure out the details as you go.


    2. Always be braver than you are.

    3. Be your brand everyday everyway.

    4. Give folks more than they expect.

    5. Co-promote as much as possible.

    6. Figure out what makes you unique and make that SHINE!

    7. Buy stock in Facebook.

    8. Take time to thank people who help you.

    9. Tell Jessica she is about to change hundreds of women’s lives forever.

    10. Figure out how to make a flux capacitor work. (Just watched “Back to the Future”)

    Michele Northrup – The Intensity Academy

    813-299-3600

    michelenorthrup@verizon.net

    www.intensityacademy.com


  • 21 Aug 2019 9:40 AM | Working Women (Administrator)

    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Brandi Morris, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Brandi's list:

    1. Nobody really knows what they’re doing all the time, we’re all winging it sometimes.

    2. Better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.

    3. Don’t be afraid to take your time and do it right. It doesn’t matter of someone else can nail it in 30 seconds and it takes you 3 days. Make it right- unless you can just pay them to do it in 30 seconds.

    4. Success can be just as terrifying as failure.

    5. Take your space and be unapologetic about it. You have just as much right to be where you are as anyone else.

    6. Be you. Authentic + Honest = Best fits in clients and networking relationships.

    7. There is no such thing as work/life balance. It is all happening, all at once and you roll with it as comes.

    8. You may not be your ideal client. Don’t assume what you would want, could pay for, or what attracts you would be the same for your client.

    9. Busy does not mean productive.

    10. It’s ok to say no.

    Brandi Morris – Brandi Image Photography

    727-515-6659

    brandi@brandiimage.com

    www.brandiimage.com


  • 19 Aug 2019 10:48 AM | Working Women (Administrator)

    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Lana Walsh, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Lana's list:

    1. Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody!

    2. Smile a lot, a smile can make someone else’s day!

    3. What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows!

    4. Invest in yourself, you are awesome & worth every penny!

    5. Don’t waste time worrying about what other people do, think, or say!

    6. Have fun, enjoy what you do no matter what it is!

    7. Count your blessing every day & give thanks to God!

    8. Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable!

    9. Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it!

    10. Be TRUE to yourself, be authentic, reliable, & trustworthy!

    Lana Walsh

    727-798-8846

    Lana.walsh@growfinancial.org

  • 16 Aug 2019 8:10 AM | Working Women (Administrator)


    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Effie Santos, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Effie's list:

    1. Know your personal values and stay true to them always…it is who you are.

    2. You cannot change ANYONE…you can be the role model, lead by example and encourage.

    3. You truly become the people who you surround yourself with.

    4. Create written house rules with consequences for your children starting when they are toddlers. They will learn, become independent and feel accomplished. And you will stay a sane Mom.

    5. Spend money on experiences and not “things”. At the end of the day all we have is our memories.

    6. There truly is a Cinderella story…you just have to find him and not compromise your values and standards in the process.

    7. Give yourself “permission”…to rest for a day, to start over in life, dive into your next chapter, etc.

    8. Listen to your mom, she does have more experience than you and loves you unconditionally.

    9. What you think about you bring about.

    10. The only thing we cannot create more of is time…take time to be still. You will be surprised how much clarity you will gain.

    Effie Santos – Red Root Strategies

    727-688-9630

    effie@redrootstrategies.com

    www.redrootstrategies.com

  • 16 Aug 2019 7:50 AM | Working Women (Administrator)


    Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Patricia Rossi, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

    We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Patricia's list:

    1. Backdoors, side doors, basement doors…more welcoming and opens faster!

    2. Deep breathe, eye squeezed shut, ask for triple fee.

    3. Side step gossip, embrace goodness.

    4. Find mentor, latch on and listen. Be mentor, latch on and listen.

    5. Childhood interests and troubles are short cuts to adult success. “Flaunt your Quirk”.

    6. Your social sixth sense is your GPS. Trust it.

    7. Fancy people are fearful too!

    8. Give others the grace that you so hope to be given!

    9. When you smell cra, cra…back away!

    10. You, do you! Boo!

    Patricia Rossi – Etiquette Coaching

    727-375-0375

    etiquettecoach@gmail.com


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