Successful women have much in common<\/p>\n
As the year comes to an end, it’s natural to think about the people
\nwho’ve moved into and out of our lives during the past 12 months. In
\n2008, I was fortunate to write about dozens of amazing women \u2014 women
\nwith different careers and backgrounds who shared a common trait:
\ndetermination. <\/p>\n
Each week, I was impressed by their single-minded efforts to achieve
\non-the-job success, no matter how they defined it. Some of them sought
\nmoney and prestige; others simply sought the freedom to engage in
\nmeaningful work they found personally fulfilling. <\/p>\n
Over the course of the year, I came to see that my columns shared a
\ncommon theme: Women as masters of their own destinies. The women
\nprofiled were \u2014 and are \u2014 brave and confident and willing to take
\nchances to achieve their goals. <\/p>\n
What characteristics do they share? <\/p>\n
They are gamblers. How often do you hear friends and co-workers
\ngrumble and complain about their jobs, day after day, year after year?
\nIt’s easy to grouse; it’s a lot harder to actually trade a weekly
\npaycheck for the unknown. <\/p>\n
Take, for example, Janie Martinez Gonzalez, president and CEO of Web
\nHead Group, one of South Texas’ premier Internet companies. Gonzalez,
\na self-described \u201cborder baby,\u201d credits her success to her humble
\nbackground. Those with modest beginnings are often risk-takers \u2014
\nwilling to take chances to make ends meet. For Gonzalez and for so
\nmany of San Antonio’s female entrepreneurs, gambling on success paid
\noff in a big way. <\/p>\n
They recognize opportunity. I often hear about a new product or
\nservice and wonder, \u201cWhy didn’t I think of that?\u201d The women
\nprofiled this year kept their eyes and ears open and acted on their
\nideas. Some, like Marilyn Weber, president and owner of Deaf
\nInterpreter Services, found inspiration at home. <\/p>\n
Weber, whose daughter was born profoundly deaf, made it her mission
\nto \u201cbridge the gap between those who can hear and those who
\ncannot.\u201d Today, her company serves all 50 states through on-site
\ninterpreting and Video Remote Interpreting. \u201cWe can be wherever we
\nare needed, instantaneously, through the use of a computer, laptop or
\ntelevision,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
They are family oriented. The women I meet may be driven, but they
\nhaven’t forgotten their roots or their families. Blanca Aldaco, owner
\nof Aldaco’s Restaurant, finds inspiration in memories of the long,
\nelegant meals she enjoyed long ago at her grandmother’s home in
\nGuadalajara. Another local restaurant owner, Dwana Dominick of the Big
\nEasy Caf\u00e9, longs for the familiar atmosphere of her native New
\nOrleans but is building a life in San Antonio because the Alamo City
\noffers better educational opportunities for her children. <\/p>\n
They know the meaning of customer service. Female entrepreneurs go
\nthe extra mile to drum up devoted clientele. For Becky Beck, owner of
\nYou Name It Specialties Inc., the extra mile was in a cow pasture.
\nThat’s where she found a perfect cow pie \u2014 a model she reproduced
\nand customized with a \u201cNo Bull@#*!\u201d slogan for a group of car
\ndealers. \u201cGood customer service is almost a thing of the past, so if
\na company provides outstanding service, clients will come back again
\nand again,\u201d Beck said. <\/p>\n
They do their homework. Many businesses open … and many businesses
\nfail. The women I met this year played it smart by doing their
\nresearch. For example, Dr. Tracy Tommack of Traveling Tails recognized
\nthat there is an overabundance of veterinarians in San Antonio, but
\nnot many of them make house calls. She responded by taking to the road
\nin a fully equipped van. \u201cThe van was a way to establish myself and
\ncreate a niche in a very crowded market,\u201d Tommack said. <\/p>\n
I would like to thank the women who shared their hopes, dreams and
\nbusiness secrets with me in 2008. I look forward to meeting more
\ninspiring \u2014 and inspired \u2014 local entrepreneurs in 2009. If you
\nknow a successful, innovative businesswoman whose story should be
\nshared with San Antonio Express-News readers, tell me about her by
\nsending an e-mail to templetoncolumn@gmail.com<\/p>\n
. <\/p>\n
Ronda Templeton is a freelance writer and the founder of Templeton
\nDavidson Communications. She may be reached at
\ntempletoncolumn@gmail.com
\n. <\/p>\n
Source: http:\/\/www.mysanantonio.com\/business\/36729499.html<\/p>\n
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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…<\/p>\n