“As God is my witness they’re not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this…”
— Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind”

Business Today’s Class of 2009 Women Business Leaders is just as tough. Declares winner Barbara Green: “The recession? I’m choosing not to participate.”

An interior decorator who is also a single parent says a lot of people “batten down the hatches” in a recession. “I just went out full force, kept asking for clients, reminding people I am ready to work when they are ready to pay,” Green says.

Extraordinary drive coupled with pragmatism means business is up: Green has signed 14 new clients in just the past month. During a good year in the past, she might have had a total of 24 to 36 clients. The real impact of the recession? Clients are spreading their projects out over the course of months, a blessing in disguise for a business that had seen more than its share of pre-holiday deadlines.

Women-owned businesses in the Golden Crescent run the gamut from construction to decorating, from HR consulting to auto dealers. There are more than 10 million companies in the United States owned by women. Indeed, some 40 percent of all companies are owned by women; a casual survey of local networking events seems to confirm that. Most are in the service business — the nature of American commerce these days — and all have an influence on the businesses around them. Likewise, all are affected by the businesses around them.

Suzanne Meyer, owner of The Welcome Committee in Mooresville, has toughed it out during a dramatic decline in new home sales, a principal driver of her marketing business. “Yes, it’s slower than usual, which is directly related to the real estate business,” she says. But she’s fighting back with an increased focus on existing clients and intense networking. A mom with three teenagers at home, she says “I just work because I love it.”

The Golden Crescent is a golden opportunity for women business owners.

For five years Business Today has recognized the Top Women Business Leaders in the region, based on achievement, impact on the community and giving back. Nominations were open during August and September. Judges, consisting of former winners, analyzed the nominations and selected four winners. They are Green; Meyer; Cheryl Kane, a management consultant and a full-time lecturer at UNC-Charlotte; and Noelle Rhodes Scott, executive director of the Cabarrus Arts Council.

Rather than write biographies of each of the winners, we asked them a series of three questions that make their vim and vigor quite apparent. The questions are:

1. How has being a woman in business helped or hurt your career?

2. What have you done during the current recession to fight back?

3. Tips for balancing work and family?

The winners were honored at a reception Oct. 12 at The Speedway Club.

Barbara Green

Barbara Green
Sensibly Chic, Cornelius

How has being a woman in business helped or hurt your career?

“Being a woman in my business has helped because interior design is a very woman-centric industry. I am able to relate well to my demographic, and understand their goals and objectives because I share many of the same. As the younger sister to three brothers, I am well-equipped to work with male clients, proving to be a strong negotiator between the two.”

What have you done during the current recession to fight back?

“While I have been surrounded by negativity, I will not allow it to seep into my psyche. I do not allow a single day to pass where I have not done something to market my business. I have made a strong effort at branding my company, and am certainly recognized for my trademark pink. The most important thing in this economy is to make sure every customer is a happy one, with a commitment to benchmark service at a price within each client’s budget.”

Tips for balancing work and family?

“I can’t promote the myth of work and life balance. My business gets more attention, but my family knows my love for them. I model the power of hard work, positive thinking and the importance of giving back.  They may not get all the attention they would like, but they do get the clear message that if you are committed to your goal, anything is possible.”

Schooling: Montclair State College, also Certified Color Instructor, The Dewey Color System

Memberships: Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce, eWomen Network, Lake Norman Executive Board, The Charlotte Green Team

Giving back: Big Day at the Lake, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Lake Norman YMCA, The American Cancer Society

CHERYL KANE

Cheryl Kane
Business consultant, UNC-Charlotte lecturer, Concord

How has being a woman in business helped or hurt your career?

“In the early 80’s corporate America’s HR was acutely aware of the importance of equality in the workplace but the old guard (all male) was still in charge. Sometimes I had to fight competitively for rights that were mine and a fair chance at opportunities. Assumptions and lifelong views of any protected class are difficult to change despite what is ‘right’ or what the law mandates. However, outstanding sales and problem solving skills are impossible to ignore and ultimately create the need for others to see you as a professional who can produce, regardless of gender because your success helps make them successful.”

What have you done during the current recession to fight back?

“I am ultra-conservative, financially. My company is organized around management consulting, staff training, and professional speaking. My career as a commercial banker during the downturn of the 1980’s instilled in me the need to diversify my product mix specifically to meet that challenge, and to maintain low debt and plenty of cash on hand.  In addition I’ve tried not to be a Grinch; I have tried to be generous with purchases to those service providers who I know face challenges by not ‘waiting until the recession is over’ to buy items I can afford now. Hoarding for hoarding sake doesn’t help anyone in a local economy.”

Tips for balancing work and family?

“Manage time very well and be fiercely protective of every minute. Set goals according to their importance in the grand scheme of life. Use a calendar for everything, be a clear communicator, always be on time, and be willing to be flexible for the unexpected needs of important people.”

Schooling: Bachelors Degree from Western Michigan University; Master’s degree from Duke University; also PHR Professional in Human Resources

Memberships: Cabarrus Regional Chamber, Society for Human Resource Management, Toastmasters International, Rotary Club of Cabarrus County

Giving back: “Where ever I’ve lived I’ve come to know the community by getting to know people with like interests in serving others, such as working on boards and committees for the United Way, Boys and Girls Club, Small Business Development Center, Minority Business Assistance Division, Downtown Development Authority, The Michigan Festival, and taking on big service or fundraising projects with Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Chambers of Commerce.”

SUZANNE MEYER

Suzanne Meyer
The Welcome Committee, Mooresville

How has being a woman in business helped or hurt your career?

“Being a woman in business, particularly a mother of three teenagers, has helped my career because it has sharpened my multitasking abilities so I can work most efficiently. I’ve become adept at prioritizing and making decisions quickly, weeding out daily distractions to focus on the current task at hand. I would like to think that I’m a role model for my children, particularly my daughters, exemplifying that a woman can run a successful business and be a nurturing mother.”

What have you done during the current recession to fight back?

“Earlier this year, Welcome Committee lost two staff members, due to the current recession.  With a dip in the housing market and fewer homes to visit, these positions will remain vacant for the time being.  We’re focusing greater attention on our existing client base in an effort to reduce our ‘normal’ attrition rate, and have stepped up our sales and marketing efforts by introducing an employee incentive program.”      

Tips for balancing work and family?

“I’m a list-maker.  Every evening, I prioritize all family and business related activities for the following day, in order of importance, then stick to that list.  I always leave a little cushion room for unexpected surprises.  I favor the old fashioned weekly/monthly appointment planner to keep organized.”

Schooling: Bachelors degree Boston University.

Memberships: Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce, Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, Denver Area Business Association, Lake Norman Homebuilders Association, Founder/ Member of Lake Norman Executive Women, Lake Norman Hadassah Chapter and Congregation Beth Shalom

Giving back: Dove House, United Way, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts of America, Guardian Ad Litem, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, North Mecklenburg Soccer Association, Humane Society of Iredell, Relay for Life
“It’s our privilege to pair up new volunteers with our community non-profit agencies.”

NOELLE RHODES SCOTT

Noelle Rhodes Scott
Cabarrus Arts Council, Concord

How has being a woman in business helped or hurt your career? Please explain.

“Being a woman in business is part of my personal package — it simply is who I am. In the world of arts administration there are actually more women than men which makes it a field that is receptive to women as top executives. However, the combination of being an arts professional and a woman has perhaps sharpened my intentionality of gaining professional respect from other business executives.

My primary challenge has been to encourage other business leaders to take the arts seriously, and to recognize that the arts are an important industry in our state and in the nation.”

What have you done during the current recession to fight back?

“Our tactic at the Cabarrus Arts Council is to make sure we stay in front of the community, providing programs that are an important part of the fabric of our schools and daily lives. During tough economic times the arts become even more important, lifting the spirit and bringing people together.

“Halfway through last fiscal year we analyzed income and expenses, and reduced spending by 30%. Staff received no raises and a couple of local grants made it possible to cut only one program. This year we are highlighting and honing our commitment to excellence and are beginning fundraising earlier than usual.”

Tips for balancing work and family?

“When our children were little I took a break from arts administration and stayed home. With teenagers, my husband and I try to make sure that one of us is available, and we both attend our children’s sports events and performances.  And then my husband and I try to make sure we get some evenings out, just us.  We are busy just like everyone we know.”

Schooling: Bachelors degree Wake Forest University, also UNC Chapel Hill, Business Management Institute for Arts Administrators, North Carolina Arts Council Internship, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship

Memberships: Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce; Association of Fundraising Professionals; Center for Non-Profits; ARTS North Carolina; Americans for the Arts; North Carolina Presenters Consortium; Regional Arts Council Directors; Downtown Concord Merchants Association; Panelist, Arts Market performer selection panel

Giving back: Board member, Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board member, North Carolina Presenters Consortium, Lay reader, St. James Episcopal Church, Shinnville, , Member, Downtown Economic Development Panel