Successful women have much in common
As the year comes to an end, it’s natural to think about the people
who’ve moved into and out of our lives during the past 12 months. In
2008, I was fortunate to write about dozens of amazing women — women
with different careers and backgrounds who shared a common trait:
determination.
Each week, I was impressed by their single-minded efforts to achieve
on-the-job success, no matter how they defined it. Some of them sought
money and prestige; others simply sought the freedom to engage in
meaningful work they found personally fulfilling.
Over the course of the year, I came to see that my columns shared a
common theme: Women as masters of their own destinies. The women
profiled were — and are — brave and confident and willing to take
chances to achieve their goals.
What characteristics do they share?
They are gamblers. How often do you hear friends and co-workers
grumble and complain about their jobs, day after day, year after year?
It’s easy to grouse; it’s a lot harder to actually trade a weekly
paycheck for the unknown.
Take, for example, Janie Martinez Gonzalez, president and CEO of Web
Head Group, one of South Texas’ premier Internet companies. Gonzalez,
a self-described “border baby,” credits her success to her humble
background. Those with modest beginnings are often risk-takers —
willing to take chances to make ends meet. For Gonzalez and for so
many of San Antonio’s female entrepreneurs, gambling on success paid
off in a big way.
They recognize opportunity. I often hear about a new product or
service and wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The women
profiled this year kept their eyes and ears open and acted on their
ideas. Some, like Marilyn Weber, president and owner of Deaf
Interpreter Services, found inspiration at home.
Weber, whose daughter was born profoundly deaf, made it her mission
to “bridge the gap between those who can hear and those who
cannot.” Today, her company serves all 50 states through on-site
interpreting and Video Remote Interpreting. “We can be wherever we
are needed, instantaneously, through the use of a computer, laptop or
television,” she said.
They are family oriented. The women I meet may be driven, but they
haven’t forgotten their roots or their families. Blanca Aldaco, owner
of Aldaco’s Restaurant, finds inspiration in memories of the long,
elegant meals she enjoyed long ago at her grandmother’s home in
Guadalajara. Another local restaurant owner, Dwana Dominick of the Big
Easy Café, longs for the familiar atmosphere of her native New
Orleans but is building a life in San Antonio because the Alamo City
offers better educational opportunities for her children.
They know the meaning of customer service. Female entrepreneurs go
the extra mile to drum up devoted clientele. For Becky Beck, owner of
You Name It Specialties Inc., the extra mile was in a cow pasture.
That’s where she found a perfect cow pie — a model she reproduced
and customized with a “No Bull@#*!” slogan for a group of car
dealers. “Good customer service is almost a thing of the past, so if
a company provides outstanding service, clients will come back again
and again,” Beck said.
They do their homework. Many businesses open … and many businesses
fail. The women I met this year played it smart by doing their
research. For example, Dr. Tracy Tommack of Traveling Tails recognized
that there is an overabundance of veterinarians in San Antonio, but
not many of them make house calls. She responded by taking to the road
in a fully equipped van. “The van was a way to establish myself and
create a niche in a very crowded market,” Tommack said.
I would like to thank the women who shared their hopes, dreams and
business secrets with me in 2008. I look forward to meeting more
inspiring — and inspired — local entrepreneurs in 2009. If you
know a successful, innovative businesswoman whose story should be
shared with San Antonio Express-News readers, tell me about her by
sending an e-mail to [email protected]
.
Ronda Templeton is a freelance writer and the founder of Templeton
Davidson Communications. She may be reached at
[email protected]
.
Source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/36729499.html
—
BETTER IP RELAY – EVERYWHERE! i711.com makes all your relay calls better.
Better web calls. Better wireless calls. Better AIM calls. Why settle for
ordinary IP relay? Go beyond! Try http://www.i711.com for free today!
NEW! Try out our Deaf Network of Texas Calendar! Go to
http://calendar.deafnetwork.com
NOTE: deafnetwork.com does not endorse any of the products, vendors,
consultants, or documentation referenced in this message or. Any mention of
vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
Powered by http://www.CrazyWebHosting.com
If you do not want to receive any more newsletters,
http://deafnetwork.com/list/?p=unsubscribe&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234
To update your preferences and to unsubscribe visit
http://deafnetwork.com/list/?p=preferences&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234
Forward a Message to Someone
http://deafnetwork.com/list/?p=forward&uid=23e6b0ac27edebd2b6f52f1354859234&mid=2997
—
Powered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com —