This week on the Utah Business Report

Saturday, April 20th, 2013

In case you missed one or more of the Salt Lake Chamber’s Utah Business Reports on KSL News Radio, here is a recap of what we talked about this week.

—

Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 16), the Governor’s State of Sport Awards will honor Utah banking mogul, philanthropist and sports enthusiast, Spencer F. Eccles, for his contribution to sport in the state of Utah by presenting him with the event’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

A native of Ogden, Utah, Spence began skiing in 1943 at Snowbasin Ski Resort. For more than 50 years, he has carved an indelible ski swath that reaches from waxing rooms to corporate boardrooms and beyond.

Eccles has contributed his time, leadership and resources generously to sports-related organizations and programs throughout Utah. He has been a major supporter of University of Utah Athletics teams from skiing and tennis to football and basketball, and was a founding contributor to the Romark Ski Academy. He has served as a board member the of the U.S. Ski Team Foundation, Women’s Ski Jumping USA, Alta Ski Lifts, Sun Valley Corporations and Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation.

Eccles played a vital role in the highly successful 2002 Olympic Winter Games, directing more than $30 million in support of facilities and programs to ensure their success. His vital contributions and involvement were recognized by the International Olympic Committee with its highest honor and the first Gold Medal of the Games.

Eccles’ generosity has provided sport and Olympic legacy infrastructure for the visitors to Utah and its citizens — most particularly Utah’s youth — to utilize and enjoy for decades to come.

—

Tomorrow, the state’s largest earthquake drill will shake Utah once again. The Great Utah ShakeOut will begin at 10:15 a.m. – so prepare your business or your home now! We want to encourage you and your business to participate so you know what to do in case of an earthquake.

Local businesses have an important role to play in helping to prepare themselves and their employees for disaster.

When it comes to preparing for a disaster, the sooner, the better. The Wasatch Front, which is based right along a fault line, has been due for an earthquake for over a decade. What that means is that the next earth shaking event may be disastrous. The problem with that is, unless you and your business are prepared, it may be hard to continue business if an earthquake rattles your business.

A simple earthquake drill, like tomorrow’s ShakeOut, can help our local businesses start thinking about preparedness and business continuity. Last year, 945-thousand people were registered to participate in the state’s largest earthquake drill. This year, we are asking Utahns to drop, cover and hold on yet again.

You can learn more about the Great Utah ShakeOut here.

—

We live in an ever-changing world and the concept of the traditional 9-to-5 workday is changing, as well.

Studies show flexible workplaces have a higher rate of employee loyalty thanks to a better work/life balance. Many businesses see workplace flexibility as an essential piece of creating a productive environment, proving that it’s good for business and good for employee morale.

And that’s where the Sloan Award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility comes in. The Alfred P. Sloan award is a national award for businesses that exemplify the best flexibility practices.

In partnership with the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Center will present the national Sloan Awards in Utah for 2013–and now is the time to apply. The applications are due Friday, May 10.

The application process is a simple, two-step process with an Employer Application followed by an employee survey if a business is selected to move onto the next round.

—

It’s no secret that Utah is a great place to live. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index for 2012 ranks Utah fourth overall. Our state has also been named one of the Elite Five states for well-being along with Hawaii, Minnesota, Colorado and Montana. The Elite Five have shown a sustained level of excellence over five years.

Residents of elite well-being states rate their lives as better today and expect them to be even better in the future. They have better emotional health, much lower obesity rates, carry reduced disease burden, enjoy their jobs more, and smoke less while exercising more.

Utah’s largest metropolitan areas also garnered acclaim for their well-being scores. Salt Lake City earned the seventh spot in the Top Large Communities category; and the Provo-Orem region ranked third in the Top Mid-Size Communities. Metropolitan areas in the top quintile included Provo-Orem as the fourth best.

The Well-Being Index is based off of the World Health Organization definition of health, which is “not only the absence of infirmity and disease, but also a state of physical, mental and social well-being.” More than 1.7 million people participated in the survey nationwide.

—

Bestselling author and international trust expert Stephen M.R. Covey will give a special presentation next Tuesday, April 23rd, at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center. He is currently on tour for his new book, “The Speed of Trust.”

Covey’s presentation will advocate the return of trust in American and Canadian organizations in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors, extending beyond the dialogue on trust as a soft, social virtue. He will give attendees a greater vision of trust as a measurable, strategic advantage as well as share the behaviors and tools common to all high-trust leaders around the world. He will also teach how to extend “Smart Trust,” even in environments where risk exists.

The presentation will take place starting at 8:30 in the morning, running until noon. It costs $49 dollars per person ($39 for Chamber members). There is a special discounted group rate available.

Covey is a sought-after advisor and keynote speaker on trust, leadership, ethics and high performance. He is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, which, under his stewardship, became the largest leadership-development company in the world.

—

For the full reports from this week and weeks past, visit KSL Radio online. Remember to tune in between 12:30 and 1 p.m. to KSL NewsRadio every week day on 102.7 FM or 1160 AM. If your business is doing something great, let us know and we may just feature it on the Utah Business Report. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Utah Business Report | No Comments »

Utah’s Silicon Slopes hit light speed with Google Fiber

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Provo’s “epic” announcement was indeed exciting – as Provo residents and businesses soon will have access to maybe the fastest internet on the planet. Pending approval from the Provo City Council, a myriad of public hearings in the coming days and a few technicalities, Provo will become just the third city in the nation to be connected with Google’s ultra-fast internet access. Additionally, as Google plans to take over Provo’s already existing fiber backbone and upgrade the system, Provo will likely be the first Google Fiber system online.

Utah’s “Silicon Slopes,” already home to hundreds of tech companies, will now have a substantial competitive advantage with speeds up to 100-times faster than current service. This competitive advantage is also destined to spur continued economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the state.

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s business leader, applauds the efforts of all those involved in making this partnership a reality. In combination with Google’s recent partnership with the Utah Transit Authority and now this substantial investment in Utah, the Chamber is excited for Google’s continued contribution and participation in our community.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News, Economic Development | No Comments »

Red-State Utah Offers an Object Lesson on Immigration

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Immigration reform is important to the Salt Lake Chamber. We support Utah’s efforts to deal with the results of the United State’s broken immigration system. We encourage the federal government to address this issue to ensure businesses have the workers–both high-skill and hourly–to strengthen the economy.

Comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform is what we need, and The Utah Compact outlines five principles that can help guide this discussion to a sensible resolution. Thanks to The Compact, Utah is now seen as a leader in the immigration discussion. A recent article from Roll Call, a source for news on the nation’s Capitol Hill, further touts Utah has having the right idea about immigration reform and what we as a country should be doing. See below for the article. 

—

This state is about as conservative as there is, yet it has some of the most sensible immigration laws in the country. Its record is a challenge to Republicans in Congress — and to the Obama administration, which isn’t letting the state go as far as it would like.

Remember all the 2008 Democratic-primary fuss about whether undocumented (or illegal) immigrants should be able to get driver’s licenses? Utah solved the problem by granting them Driver Privilege Cards, which can’t be used as identification at airports but do entitle holders to be able to buy auto insurance.

Republicans in Congress so far have blocked passage of DREAM legislation to give legal status to people brought to the United States illegally as children. And lots of them gripe that President Barack Obama has taken executive action to have immigration enforcers not chase such people unless they have committed crimes.

But Utah has done what it can for its DREAMers, allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges. It’s one of just 12 states that do so.

Republicans should note that, among those dozen states, four others are bright red politically — Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

Utah also passed a law in 2011 to create its own guest worker program — allowing undocumented residents to obtain permits to get jobs in the state. According to Utah Speaker Becky Lockhart, implementation of the law awaits the Obama Justice Department’s granting a waiver of federal immigration law. Even if the administration is hoping for passage of nationwide immigration changes, it surely ought to allow Utah to give its undocumented citizens this break.

The state’s policies have been heavily influenced by the Utah Compact, a declaration of principles drawn up in 2010 by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce and blessed by the Mormon church. It declares that “immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah.”

The compact also reads: “We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors.”

It’s too bad 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney didn’t heed his church’s view instead of advocating “self-deportation” of the undocumented and opposing DREAM as a “magnet” for illegal immigration. He might have done better than 27 percent support among Latino voters.

Republicans in Congress could do worse than to follow the lead of one of their most conservative states.

—

The original Roll Call article can be found here.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News, Immigration, Public Policy | No Comments »

Utah ranked best for small business friendliness

Friday, April 12th, 2013

Utah trumps all other states when it comes to small business friendliness, according to the Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey. The newest results were released recently and Utah jumped from the fourth spot in 2012 to number one.

Utah got an A+ in overall friendliness and ease of starting a business. Our state garnered high scores with its lowest grade in ease of hiring (B). The Beehive State also received “high marks for the training and networking programs available to small businesses.”

Salt Lake City, in particular, earned an A grade for its overall small business friendliness and is ranked as the seventh easiest city to start a business in. Austin, Tex., was the top rated city.

There were a few key findings that Thumbtack took from the survey. Two of the most important factors for small businesses were the professional licensing requirements and the ease of obtaining health insurance. Only six percent of the owners surveyed said it was “Very Easy” to get and retain health insurance, whereas one-third of small business owners cited that it was “Very Difficult.”

The survey also indicates small businesses are “relatively unconcerned with tax rates,” with more than half feeling “they pay about the right share of taxes.”

“Small businesses are top-of-mind for lawmakers nationwide, but too often their needs are more a matter of conjecture rather than actual evidence,” says Sander Daniels, co-founder of Thumbtack.com. “Some 7,000 businesses owners across the country have told us that they care about a lot more than just taxes – for most businesses, simple licensing regulations and helpful training programs are even more important to their success.”

Other states in the top five from this survey include Alabama, New Hampshire, Idaho and Texas.

You can find the complete results here with a neat interactive score card.

The Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey, in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, is a survey of small businesses nationwide, drawing data from more than 7,000 small business owners. The study aims to learn what small businesses believe constitutes a healthy political and regulatory climate by having them rate how it is to do business in their specific location along various metrics.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News, Small Business, Utah Rankings | No Comments »

Utah listed with Elite Five states for well-being

Friday, April 5th, 2013

It’s no secret that Utah is a great place to live.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index for 2012 has been released,  and Utah ranked fourth, moving up one spot since last year.

Our state has also been listed as one of the Elite Five states for well-being along with Hawaii, Minnesota, Colorado and Montana. The Elite Five have shown a sustained level of excellence over five years. Residents of elite well-being states rate their lives as better today and in the future, have better emotional health, have much lower obesity rates, carry reduced disease burden, enjoy their jobs more, and smoke less, but exercise more.

Utah’s largest metropolitan areas also garnered acclaim for their well-being scores. Salt Lake City earned the seventh spot in the Top Large Communities category; and the Provo-Orem region ranked third in the Top Mid-Size Communities. Metropolitan areas in the top quintile also included Provo-Orem as the fourth best.

The Well-Being Index is based off of the World Health Organization definition of health, which is “not only the absence of infirmity and disease, but also a state of physical, mental and social well-being.” More than 1.7 million people participated in the survey nationwide.

To see the complete Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, click here.

Photo Credit: Photo Dean

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News, Utah Rankings | No Comments »

Wrap up of Women’s History Month features

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

The Chamber blog was a hot spot during March thanks to our Women’s History Month series featuring Utah’s businesswomen. It was such an honor to host such admirable, hard-working and amazing women and hearing their thoughts on the challenges women face today.

One of the most mentioned challenges that women face is life balance and time management between work, family and personal life. KUTV’s Kristen Henderson pointed out that, “women are expected to do so much, and we want so badly to be the very best we can at everything that often times I find that we are afraid to ask for help.”

Another big challenge that comes with that is women either lack the confidence or simply won’t speak up for themselves and what they believe.

“We need to speak up, express our views or ideas and realize not everyone is going to agree or even like those ideas, or us, for that matter. And we need to be fine with that,” said Debra Hoyt of Questar.  ”Women are educated and smart but all too often it’s not seen by others because women won’t speak up. We need to change that mindset because an idea or thought not expressed could be an opportunity lost.”

“Women need to be very pro-active in managing their career. Opportunity will knock, but if we don’t take advantage when it does, we can miss out on learning and progressing,” said Cecilia Mitchell of Zions Bank.

Cory Schaeffer of Listen Technologies Corp. said, “Women wait for more to be offered or given. We need to ask for more and we need to know that we deserve more. We deserve to have a seat at the boardroom table, we deserve to run companies and we deserve to make more. It will never be offered until we believe we deserve more.”

“Don’t expect anyone to give you an extra break because you are a woman,” said Janet Hugie Smith of Ray Quinney & Nebeker, “but do expect that being a woman gives you an advantage.”

Though more and more women are emerging as leaders in the community and in business, Deborah Bayle of the United Way Salt Lake is concerned by other factors facing women in the corporate world that could hinder progress.  ”Pay equity is a huge issue,” Bayle said. “Women in Utah are paid only 69 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Women still have a difficult time being taken seriously and are marginalized by many men. I don’t think that women are given to same opportunities for advancement, either. There are too few women on corporate boards. Women are often not given their just due in the corporate world.”

When it comes to challenges in female leadership, Workers Compensation Fund’s Peggy Larsen noted that women face the struggle of being recognized as capable leaders.  Patricia A. Richards of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera also said, “It is also hard for women to find their authentic voice in leadership, as cultural expectations still tend to differentiate between men and women, interpreting women as ‘strident’ or ‘soft,’ while men in the same circumstances might be seen as ‘powerful’ or ‘empathetic’.”

“We are in an era when the competitive landscape and economic impact is affecting business rapidly,” Sysco Intermountain’s Lisa Gough said. “Our need to lead our companies through change effectively is a critical component to our success.”

One of those critical keys to success? Education.

“For young women, I encourage them to create their own opportunity through education, hard work and tenacity,” said Maxine Turner of Cuisine Unlimited. “I wish I had the formal education as a chef and had that culinary education that would have made the path a little easier.”

As far as advice goes, the ladies featured touted getting an education, having more confidence, speaking out, dreaming big, respecting others, starting a 401(K) early, trusting your intuition, stopping to smell the roses from time to time, and staying true to yourself will help you not only be more successful, but also live a better, more fullfilled life. Also, it’s never a bad thing to take a risk.

“Always take the high road, always look forward, always listen to your inner voice and always believe in yourself!” said Dr. Cynthia Bioteau of Salt Lake Community College.

Among conquering all of this, Hoyt said women should “plan and take time to have fun and enjoy those most precious to you as it will make you a better woman, wife, mother, friend and employee.”

For if girls can’t have fun, who can?

*   *   *

This March marks the 102nd national Women’s History Month. The United States has celebrated this month highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society since 1911.

Click here to see the complete list of blog posts featuring Utah businesswomen, or click their individual names below. 

Dr. Cynthia Bioteau
Debbie Jacketta
Andy Wolcott
Sylvia Norman
Patricia A. Richards
Melinda Workman
Maxine Turner
Lisa Gough
Debra Hoyt
Sen. Pat Jones
Deedee Corradini
Lynne Ward
Lavanya Mahate
Cory Schaeffer
Kristen Henderson
Michelle Flynn
Lauryn Wingate
Janet Hugie Smith
Cecilia Mitchell
Peggy Larsen
Deborah Bayle
Becky Potts
Patricia R. Richards
Gail Miller

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News, Women's Business Center | No Comments »

Women’s History Month Double Feature: Patricia R. Richards & Gail Miller

Friday, March 29th, 2013

This post is part of a series of blogs that feature prominent businesswomen in Utah to celebrate Women’s History Month. You can also join in the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #whm13.

For our last day of the series, this feature is on two powerhouse women running their companies Patricia R. Richards and Gail Miller. 

*   *   *

Patricia R. Richards

1. What is your role in your organization?

President and CEO of SelectHealth.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

SelectHealth collaborates with clinical partners to offer coverage and access to high quality health care services at the lowest appropriate cost, to improve the health of our members and to provide superior service to our customers.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

Focus on serving others; making a positive difference in people’s lives; and working with others to build strong communities and support the next generation.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

There are too many to select just one. I try to learn from everyone with whom I interact.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

Maintaining balance. And also establishing and maintaining credibility.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

Make sure your “head” and your “heart” are aligned whenever you have to make “big decisions”. Do everything you can to complete your post-secondary education in a timely way. I was on the “10 year plan” to earn a college degree – trying to take care of small children, taking one or two courses a semester, while also working full time. It all worked out OK, but I would advise other women to carefully consider timing of education, family, career and other life plans.

*   *   *

Gail Miller

1. What is your role in your organization?

Owner and Chairman of Larry H. Miller Companies.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

To provide quality jobs for as many as possible, to provide exceptional goods and service to our customers and to make the markets where we do business better because we are there.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

We have built our business on a foundation of timeless values, been consistent in our execution of those values and tried to always be the leader in our market places by providing quality goods and services.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

My late husband, Larry Miller, would have to be the number one influence in my life as far as my knowledge of business goes.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

I believe the business world is opening up to women who have a strong drive and desire to get into business, but if I had to name one thing that can be a roadblock, it would be securing the resources to start a business.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

I would encourage myself to get a college education. To take the time to find out who I really am before entering into marriage, and look at all the options available to me.

*   *   *

This March marks the 102nd national Women’s History Month. The United States has celebrated this month highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society since 1911.

This year’s 2013 National Women’s History Month theme, “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination,” honors generations of women who have used their intelligence, imagination, sense of wonder and tenacity to make extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields throughout American history.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Women's Business Center | No Comments »

Self-awareness helps Utahns plan for the future

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

“Salt Lake is very self aware and it serves you well.”

That’s what famed demographer, author and columnist Joel Kotkin said in a recent interview with Chamber chief economist Natalie Gochnour. This comment reminded her that Utah, in fact, does have a very “strong sense of self, and we translate it into a great place to live.”

In a column for Utah Business, Gochnour noted, “Vision is nothing new to Salt Lake City. It’s part of our DNA.” Several of Utah’s largest cities have created multi-decade plans, and even our original pioneers had a vision that they acted upon immediately to help make Utah what it is today.

In an uncertain national economy, now is more important than ever for Utah to “keep refining who we are and what we want to be and then translate this self-awareness and vision into action.”

Gochnour polishes off her column by delving into a handful of areas where Utah should focus to maintain a growing economy for the future and strong sense of self. These include education, transportation, air quality and more.

You can read the complete article here.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Chamber News | No Comments »

Women’s History Month Double Feature: Peggy Larsen & Cecilia Mitchell

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

This post is part of a series of blogs that feature prominent businesswomen in Utah to celebrate Women’s History Month. You can also join in the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #whm13.

Today, our double feature is on Peggy Larsen and Cecilia Mitchell.

*   *   *

Peggy Larsen

1. What is your role in your organization?

Senior Vice President responsible for sales, retention, advertising, PR and community relations at Worker’s Compensation Fund.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

Be the premier workers compensation carrier in Utah – help businesses prevent workplace injuries and care for the injured worker.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

Stay focused on achieving goals of the company, build strong relationships, do the right thing and surround yourself with successful people you can learn and grow from.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

I have many – Our CEO, Ray Pickup and past CEO, Lane Summerhays have been great mentors.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

Women continue to face the struggle of being recognized in many industries as capable leaders.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

Stay in school, surround yourself with strong leaders, learn everything you can about leadership, step outside of the box, and do what you think you can’t.

* * *

Cecilia Mitchell

1. What is your role in your organization?

I manage SBA guaranteed lending for Zions Bank. From the application through the payoff, and all regulatory and reporting requirements.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

To provide value to our clients, our communities, our employees and shareholders. To be the small business bank in our communities.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

Flexibility and willingness to change course when necessary.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

I don’t have just one, but a number of individuals – Lori Chillingworth, Bill Lapsley, my mom, my dad.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

Women need to be very pro-active in managing their career. Opportunity will knock, but if we don’t take advantage when it does, we can miss out on learning and progressing.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

Laugh more, find pleasure in helping others, be open to new ideas, and take a few risks.

*   *   *

This March marks the 102nd national Women’s History Month. The United States has celebrated this month highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society since 1911.

This year’s 2013 National Women’s History Month theme, “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination,” honors generations of women who have used their intelligence, imagination, sense of wonder and tenacity to make extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields throughout American history.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Women's Business Center | No Comments »

Women’s History Month Double Feature: Janet Hugie Smith & Lauryn Wingate

Monday, March 25th, 2013

This post is part of a series of blogs that feature prominent businesswomen in Utah to celebrate Women’s History Month. You can also join in the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #whm13.

Today is a double feature on presidents of their respective companies: Janet Hugie Smith and Lauryn Wingate. 

*   *   *

Janet Hugie Smith

1. What is your role in your organization?

I have been with the Ray Quinney & Nebeker law firm since 1976 and was the first full-time attorney who was a woman. I am now president of the law firm.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C. strives to provide the best and highest quality legal services for its clients. My focus has been employment and labor law.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

Hard work, supportive family and co-workers and the ability to maintain a good sense of humor.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

My mom. At 96, she makes the best of each day.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

Recognizing that there will have to be give and take on work, family and personal issues. Don’t expect anyone to give you an extra break because you are a woman, but do expect that being a woman gives you an advantage.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

Listen more and talk less. Recognize you cannot always control the river and that life constantly changes.

* * *

Lauryn Wingate

1. What is your role in your organization?

President of LW Communications.

2. What is the mission of your organization?

To problem solve. LW Communications synthesizes the consumer experience wanted with the essence of the program/project, product or service needed that will achieve high impact results for all parties involved.

3. What is the key to the professional success you have achieved?

Intuition. Perseverance. And the ability to respond with timing.

4. Who is your greatest professional influence?

There are many. The one closest to my heart is my recently passed business partner Bastezz. She was a mentor, friend, confidant, visionary and patient human being. Her breathe of knowledge on many subjects pushed me to learn at a rapid pace to keep up with her never ending curiosity and trend-setting methods. Most people have not met her, but her work has been, and will continue to be, universally felt.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenges women face in business today?

For me, it is not a person or a place, it is the never-ending push for greater knowledge to keep pace with technology and how to decipher what will work best for my clients and my company.

6. If you could sit down and talk to yourself at age 18, what advice would you give?

Listen to your intuition. Don’t do things that others want you to do simply because it makes them feel better. Do what you feel. And most importantly, move to Florida, not California. Your life will be so much easier if you just managed to heed that advice!

*   *   *

This March marks the 102nd national Women’s History Month. The United States has celebrated this month highlighting the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society since 1911.

This year’s 2013 National Women’s History Month theme, “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination,” honors generations of women who have used their intelligence, imagination, sense of wonder and tenacity to make extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields throughout American history.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Women's Business Center | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »