Business Title:President/Owner

Employed by:my own company, Focused Success

During my real job I work with small and medium size business owners to help them find creative solutions to business challenges. We focus on the business owner and what keeps her (or him) up at night…..things like: if I had more money, if I had more time for family, community, and church, if I had a marketing plan that really worked, if my employees were more productive, if I was more organized, I’d be more productive.

Experience/background:I have over 25 years experience as a senior executive and as a business management mentor, working with some of the largest business enterprises in the country. I’ve planned and executed business reorganizations and numerous workflow redesigns, consolidations, and process re-engineering interventions. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated the ability to work with key business people to successfully identify and analyze business problems, define strategic solutions to these problems, and effectively implement those solutions.

Other community activities:Northeast Exchange Club (a group of men and women working to make America a better place to live through one national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse, and other community services projects), eWomen Network (purpose is to support, promote and showcase our members' products and services and help them achieve their professional objectives), Chairperson of the fund raising committee for Academy Prep (this is a private, fifth through eighth grade middle school educational program designed specifically to give children of low-income families an outstanding educational opportunity and the greatest chance for success. Academy Prep educates students with promise to complete high school, college and ultimately become productive members of the community), BNI (Business Networking Inc - a business referral and networking organization), Development Council for All Children’s Hospital, and I’m on the Steering Committee for SBRN, Small Business Resource Network (a resource organization of the Small Business Development Center at USF, specifically for small business owners). I also participate in TBEF which is the Tampa Bay Executive Forum, a group of executives who provide networking and referrals for executives who are in transition.

Birthplace:Miami, FL How long living in Florida: about 2/3 of my life

Most notable accomplishment:starting up my own business. After so many years in the safety of working for others, striking out on my own was a big step but I’m very glad I did it.

Something you may not know about me:I’ve moved around so much all my friends have a single address book just for me! Besides growing up on the east coast of Florida (I was in a different school in a different city each year through 6th grade), I’ve lived in Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, and Nashville; I’ve lived in Jacksonville 5 times and this is my 3rd time back in St. Petersburg.

Professional goals: to make my business successful by making my clients successful. To have a practice that is 100% referral business because my clients are so happy!

Personal goals:to finally finish writing one of the 3 books I’ve started.

My words of wisdom:Follow your heart and your dreams when it comes to a career. Make sure you think through all of the things you’ll need to do to be successful and then make sure you stick to each and every one. And if you can’t have fun with what you’re doing, you’re in the wrong job!

Why I joined BPW:I first joined BPW in Nashville, TN, based on a friend’s recommendation. I found a dedicated group of women (and one man!) who believed in the foundation and values of the organization. When I moved here, I knew I would look into the local chapter but little did I dream that I would grow so found of my fellow members, so quickly. I value your ideals, your camaraderie, your friendship, and your way to always have fun, no matter what cause you’re supporting.

BPW Membership length:counting Nashville, 1 ½ years.