LESLIE HENDERSON
CO-FOUNDER, LAZY MAGNOLIA BREWING CO.
What does a successful life mean to you?
To quote Steve Jobs, “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?” I would only add to that by specifying that your “dent” should be a positive one that improves lives.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? What bumps did you hit along the way?
I’m passionate about making a lasting impact on the planet — and more specifically, on Mississippi. I’m not excited about the typical “American Dream” of getting rich or famous or retiring to a life of leisure. For me, it’s all about doing something so important and so helpful that people take it for granted. Clean drinking water (in the U.S. anyway) is so important that you take it for granted. I doubt my impact will be that huge, but I can dream!
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
My church, Diamondhead United Methodist — I play guitar and sing in the church band on Sundays. I’m also learning to play bass and do occasional gigs with some friends at local events. I’m on the board of Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County. I serve on the Hancock Community Development Foundation Board. I serve on the events committee for the Brewer’s Association. I am currently participating in Goldman Sacks 10,000 Small Businesses program. I would like to do more, but I’m already spread thin with Lazy Magnolia, related professional organizations, classes, and my family (husband and two children).
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I hardly feel qualified to do that. But I happily share my experiences and advice with anyone who asks.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
- Manage your life, or someone else will manage it for you. Management requires hard decisions and ownership of the outcome.
- Read. Everything you can. You can learn from others or through experience. Experience can be brutally expensive. Books cost about $10 each.
- Care and volunteer. You will be blessed ten-fold for every blessing you bestow.
Are you a perfectionist?
No — isn’t that what a perfectionist would say? I won’t let perfect get in the way of good enough.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
Quite a lot, but it is calculated risk. A huge amount of planning and preparation must go into taking a meaningful risk.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
#1 is my husband, Mark. The Lazy Magnolia team is right there with him. They really believe in our mission and blow me away with their enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication. I am so lucky to work with this group of people.
Do you value alone time, and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
Sure, I value it a lot! I don’t ever get any. Lazy Magnolia plus two little kids plus all of my other community activities leaves me with just enough time to shower.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
I do, for my mental health.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I think “work/life balance” is a buzz-phrase created by an ad agency to make lazy people feel better about their poor life choices. If you are doing meaningful work with people you enjoy being around, you will be happy.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
Eighteen years of marriage, as of August 30. Starting a business somehow made that marriage even stronger. I have been blessed to have a partner who challenges and completes me.
What is your favorite book?
Thou Shall Prosper, by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
Strength: I have somehow surrounded myself with kind, talented, wise, hardworking, loyal, honest people who inspire me and make me happy. Weakness: my lack of patience and empathy. I am too task-oriented and neglect feelings.
What motivates you to work hard?
Even if I’m really lucky, I only have a few more decades on this planet to make a difference. That’s not much time, and there is so much to be done. I want to set a good example for my kids so they will also understand the point of their own lives.
SONYA BARNES
MISSISSIPPI STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 119
What does a successful life mean to you?
A life where others will say I made a difference in their lives is what a successful life means to me.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? What bumps did you hit along the way?
I am passionate about people. As long as I can remember I have been concerned about our society. I take special attention to those who are poor and many times overlooked.
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
My life is based around service, so many times my professional causes are entwined with my everyday life.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I have mentored through Gulfport Schools and speak to young people in group and private settings often.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Listen to your heart.
Don’t look at failure as failure. Most times it is the one thing you needed to move forward.
Don’t be afraid to say YES, and don’t be afraid to say NO!
Are you a perfectionist?
Yes, and an overachiever.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
Every day is a risk. I embrace challenges, for they have made me who I am and will continue to make me who I still have to become.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
God is who I give all the glory to, for He provided me with parents who did not accept “I quit,” who loved me to the fullest and who showed me that giving is much greater than receiving.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
I do value alone time. I very seldom watch television, and I begin my mornings with prayer and meditation. Every now and then I enjoy a therapeutic day at the spa.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
Yes, but not as often as I need to.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Always busy.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
Being a mother
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
Greatest strength is organizing and my greatest weakness is putting me last.
What motivates you to work hard?
My son and the future of our children.
BROOKE LEWIS
CO-OWNER, THE SHED BBQ
What does a successful life mean to you?
My meaning of a successful life is when I am surrounded by positive and loyal relationships. When I am around my husband, family, and my friends, and I know with all of my heart that we support and love each other, those are the moments that I feel truly successful.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it?
I am passionate about LIFE and the people that make up this life I live. I’ve always loved being surrounded by laughter and good conversations, but it wasn’t until I opened The Shed BBQ that I found myself aware of my innermost passion: the well-being of people.
What bumps did you hit along the way?
What bumps haven’t I hit along the way! Resilience is my middle name. My family and my business has faced the floods of hurricanes, the destruction of fire, the closing of restaurants, the black out effects of lightning strikes, and the nonsense of cyber bullying.
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
Many. I feel blessed that I am able to support good causes through my business on a local, national, and international level. Since conception in 2001, The Shed has hosted and/or played an active roll in hundreds of fundraisers from local charities to national feed the need campaigns such as Operation BBQ Relief.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I live THE true meaning of “A woman in a man’s world,” being a BBQ restaurant owner, selling a BBQ sauce retail line, and being a CEO and a national BBQ competitor. This is a humbling question because it makes me think about the power of positive change. I strive to inspire career-oriented women. Running The Shed’s retail line has given me the opportunity to travel often, and I find myself having many heartfelt conversations with women across the country about confidence, strength, and setting goals. I have taught classes in many different states through the National BBQ Association, all of which are centered on the retail industry. In my classes I speak about successes and failures. I firmly believe that without failure, we wouldn’t understand the true meaning of success.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Stop managing time; start managing priorities. Take risks to conquer your goal; don’t settle for “option B” because it feels easier! When you speak to someone, look into his or her eyes and speak with confidence!
Are you a perfectionist?
Not at all.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
100%. My business partner (and brother) Brad and I take risks daily, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for not having calculated risks and reachable career goals.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
I contribute my success to my mom and dad. My parents raised us with the true understanding of work ethic and hospitality. My two brothers and I had a wonderful childhood full of amazing memories, but if we wanted that extra piece of candy or toy, we were given a job. I still remember my mom walking me to the hometown bank and opening my first savings account when I was in fifth grade, and my dad teaching me how to balance my expenses with my earnings that summer.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
I value time with my husband. Both of us are busy entrepreneurs and share the same busy traveling schedules so we find ourselves apart more often than we would like. When the craziness of work slows down we take time to enjoy our mutual passion of being out on the Gulf waters. I just love a Mississippi sunset over the water; there’s nothing like it in the world.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
I do thoroughly enjoy working out, although I have being known to be a slacker.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
It is very difficult indeed. I am a professional juggler of many things. I sincerely try to keep a healthy balance but there are times that work and work-related travel consumes my life.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
Walking the stage at Memphis in May to accept the 2015 World Grand Championship.
Receiving the notice that my sauce line is now in 11,000+ grocery stores.
Receiving the BBQ Herione Award by the National BBQ Association.
Being named in the top 12 influential women in BBQ.
What is your favorite book?
The Confidence Code by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
Resilience is most definitely my biggest strength.
Weakness: Taking on too many projects and becoming overwhelmed. Trying to be everything for everybody.
What motivates you to work hard?
I want to do good in my life and make my family proud of me. Retiring at the age of 40 is a motivator as well!!
KENYATTA BENNETT
DENTIST, HEALTHY SMILES FAMILY DENTISTRY
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
My time with my kids and family is what helps me maintain a healthy balance between my personal life and work. I try to make sure that we make the most of our time together, whether it’s cooking a meal, watching a movie, or sitting home on a rainy day looking through photo albums — my family keeps me grounded and well balanced.
Do you value alone time and what measurements do you take to schedule alone time?
I do enjoy alone time because it gives me time to pray and gather my thoughts. I don’t get a chance to schedule it so what I do is just take a few minutes before starting my day to just talk to the Lord.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
My greatest strength is my faith because I know that no matter what life takes you through the Lord will see you through.
What motivates you to work hard?
I am passionate about what I do and always want my patients to be happy with their smile and the care that they receive from me. The second thing that motivates me is being a positive light for someone else to see.
Who has been your greatest contributor to your success?
The greatest contributors to my success have been my husband and my father. My husband and I met in dental school and immediately began studying together and encouraging each other when things got tough. Even after losing him, he still contributes because I know what he would have wanted, and I want to continue to make him proud. My father, Jim Magee, has been there for me every step of the way.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
I would advise them not to be afraid to DREAM no matter their circumstances. I would remind them that anything worth having is worth working for.
What does a successful life mean to you?
To me a successful life is doing what you love and having a balance between work and family that makes you happy.
What bumps did you hit along the way?
I have had to overcome many obstacles in my life. I lost my mother at the age of 11. I was a teenage mother. I am now a widow and single parent of three. Any of these could have easily been the blow that could have easily knocked me down, but I stayed in the race because I know that God has a purpose for my life.
What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
To date my greatest accomplishment besides being blessed with my family has been the opening of Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry. It has been amazing blessing watching our dream become a reality.
CINDY WEBB
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, MS POWER
What does a successful life mean to you?
For me, a successful life means making a difference in the lives of others, giving something back, and leaving a legacy whether at home, work, or in the community.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? Do you have a cause for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
My children and children’s issues in our community are my passion and my cause. Working 8 to 5 doesn’t allow much daytime involvement in the schools, but I do enjoy volunteering with children’s sports and after-school activities. It has been a great opportunity to share in the lives of my children and the lives of their classmates. Allison Brown, a dear friend and mentor, and I taught a year-long sixth-grade confirmation class at Trinity United Methodist Church for 13 years. Since 2008, I have served on the board for the Child Abuse Prevention Center (CAP) of South Mississippi.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I have had the opportunity to mentor other women. I don’t profess to have a lot of answers, but I do have time – time to listen and help other women discover their passion and chart their course.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
- Decide early on what you want to accomplish both personally and professionally. A personal mission statement will help you define what is important to you and your family. It will serve as your compass for making critical choices about your career as you progress.
- Be a star where you are! No matter the role or position you have today, focus on doing your best. Knock it out of the park! Decision makers regarding your career need to see you demonstrate leadership today before they will be willing to offer you additional levels of responsibility. Give 110 percent to your current role, and it will open the door to new opportunities.
- Continue to grow and develop. It’s important to stay current in your field and in your business. Be willing to address the need for change and continuous improvement. And help others along the way. Look for ways to help others achieve their goals and let others help you!
Are you a perfectionist?
I am not a perfectionist. I value and appreciate excellence. Perfection is rarely attainable or sustainable, so you set yourself up for failure. Excellence, on the other hand, is about quality and continuous improvement.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
By nature, I am not a big risk taker, but to progress in my career I had to take risks and step out of my comfort zone. I learned the most about myself and my abilities when I took the risk to try something new. Growth didn’t come with the familiar. It came with new challenges and opportunities.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
John Webb, my husband of 31 years, has always been a partner in our marriage and in our careers.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
I value and need alone time to recharge and replenish my energy. I tend to get cranky if I don’t have some down time. A hot bath works wonders to change my attitude and take the edge off of a long day!
Do you have fitness and health routines?
Exercise is a must for me. I need the stress relief and the energy boost. I am not big on going to the gym, but I do enjoy exercising with small groups of women.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Early in my career I attended a meeting with the CEO of our company. He had his calendar open on the desk beside me. On his schedule was his son’s t-ball game for that afternoon. I asked him how he had time to go to a t-ball game with all the demands of his job. He told me to schedule the important things first and the rest will take care of itself. That was a learning moment for me.
There will be seasons in life where work must be first, and there are seasons where family comes first. My goal has always been to get back to the balance as quickly as possible when one season takes center stage over the other.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
At home, three wonderful children who are each beginning their own journey in life to make a contribution in society. In my career, it is the opportunity to influence decisions and develop strategy in an organization that provides a vital product and service to the community in which we live.
What is your favorite book?
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey.
CARLA J. EVERS
DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS FOR GULFPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT
What does a successful life mean to you?
My definition of a successful life has changed as I have matured. As a young person, I thought a successful life meant that I would make a lot of money and live a lavish lifestyle. Since becoming a mother, a wife, and an educator, I have adjusted the meaning significantly. I now define a successful life as one in which the work I do has a positive impact on the lives of others.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? What bumps did you hit along the way?
As a little girl, I would play teacher with my friends. I have always known that I was a teacher; so, I guess you can say my passion was placed in my heart versus my identifying it. Thus, I would have to say that I am passionate about learning.
Have there been bumps along the way?
Yes, there have been, and I am positive that there are some ahead of me, for I have set lofty goals, and the stakes are high. I have always believed the challenges that I have experienced in my career are opportunities for reflection and growth. We must remember that growth can be painful; it is our response that is important.
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
Outside of my profession, I find myself working to serve others through several organizations. I have served on the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center’s board for five years. Being on the board allows me to maintain my focus giving children an outlet to explore their imaginations through the world of play. I am also a member of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Rotary Club of Gulfport. These organizations give me an opportunity to put my boots on the ground for a variety of worthy causes.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I play mentor to women in education by encouraging them to spend time working on their passions. This is an honor that is typically bestowed upon me by the women themselves. One cannot be a self-appointed mentor; I believe it happens naturally when others respect you for your work talents, and you respect them for theirs.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Be careful who you tell your dreams to; everyone will not have the same vision for you as you have for yourself. Don’t be afraid to fail. If at first you don’t succeed, try-try again. Know that you know. In my office there hangs a sign that says, “The leader must know and know that he knows and be prepared to let those about him know that he knows.” In other words, be knowledgeable in your field.
Are you a perfectionist?
I do not see myself as a perfectionist; I like the right things done the right way. Doing things in an excellent manner is important to me.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
Risk taking is a necessary component of becoming successful that requires one to be courageous. In my profession, risk taking carries the weight of being associated with children. Thus, I am a more calculating person when it comes to taking risks where children are involved; it warrants seeking input from key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, and community members. Having a strategic plan in place that is developed with stakeholders provides the necessary guidance for risk taking.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
My parents were the first supporters of my success. They taught me that I could be anything that I wanted to be, and I believed them. Although I am an only child, God sent me two best friends who continue to serve as encouragers after 38 years. I have to say, my biggest supporter is my husband, Carlos M. Evers. He supports my dreams. He listens to my goals and finds ways to contribute to my attaining them; he takes on my dreams as part of his dreams.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
As a working mother and wife, there were not many opportunities for me to be alone. I developed a system with my children that allowed me to have 30 minutes of alone time when we would arrive home each day. While the children ate their snacks and prepared the homework table, I took the time to decompress from my day. This short time was all that I needed to make my “Clark Kent to Supermom” change each day. With my children being young adults, I still find myself taking the first few moments of my arrival home to reflect on my day as I am learning to value alone time.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I must admit that I am not great at this yet. I am somewhat of a workaholic. Thankfully, I have an understanding husband. However, my family is my top priority. I always make time for them and their interests.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
Personal: Raising three amazing young men – one recently earned his BSN at South Alabama, one mechanical engineering major, and one entering college freshman.
Professional: As an educational leader, I want to be very careful not to attribute my success to my efforts alone; this is not a one-woman show. I would like to look back to my days as a school principal and give the honor of what I deem as my greatest accomplishment to the teachers, parents, and children with whom I had the pleasure of serving. The best thing that I have ever been a part of is helping students reach unrealized potential.
What is your favorite book?
Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, by John C. Maxwell
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
My greatest strength and weakness are one in the same. Upon accepting the position as principal at West Elementary in 2003, I completed a strengths- finder survey. The results confirmed what I knew about myself: my top strength is “belief.” Having a strong belief system has served me well. When I believe in what the team is doing, I wholeheartedly work to achieve the goal. However, that strength can also serve as my weakness. It can be difficult to change my mindset around at topic.
What motivates you to work hard?
I have always been a driven person; I am very competitive. It is this drive and competitiveness that motivates me to work hard.
GAI KAITLIN TRUONG
OWNER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER AT DOCTOR’S SPECIALTY PHARMACY
What does a successful life mean to you?
I value life in its simplicity. Therefore, a successful life to me can be defined in three terms: my well-being, my happiness, and my wealth. My well-being is most important because without good health, the continuous hard work cannot be achieved. My happiness is the force which drives productivity in the work I do to serve the people of my community and this society. My wealth in having the opportunity to receive an education in pharmacy and applying my knowledge to help others.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? What bumps did you hit along the way?
I am most passionate about helping the less fortunate and the people of my community during times of disasters. My family and I considered East Biloxi our second home after the perilous journey across the vast ocean from Vietnam. We lived in multiple refugee camps in Mylasia and the Phillipines before stepping foot on the United States’ soil. My parents risked their lives for their children to have a better life in America. My father, Dac Truong, and mother, Lam Le, instilled the importance of education and hard working ethics in each of their six children. Today, I am forever grateful for the freedom and opportunities given to me and my family. Hence, giving back to society utilizing my knowledge and skills is my passion.
Adversity is inevitable in every process of life. My remediation to adversity is to take charge, make appropriate change, and overcome with progress.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I am open arms to sharing my experience with other women. We all need a boost of inspiration to become the best that we can. I sincerely encourage all women to be proactive in setting life goals and taking charge in fulfilling your dreams.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
1) Never lose focus in what you are destined to achieve.
2) Be persistent in all your endeavors
3) Enrich yourself with continual education.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
Risk taking is huge in anyone’s success. I believe in making changes and making a difference. Therefore, without taking risks, we will not attain the unthinkable to reach the point of success we hope to accomplish.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
Alone time is necessary for me to recharge and regroup my thinking process. It could be as simple as setting a “me” time to read a book or going to the spa for a massage.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
Fitness and health routines are mandatory for me. Women wear many hats with heavy loads of responsibilities. The multiple role-playing in life requires that we are in good health and have good fitness. I do indulge myself with my mother’s authentic Vietnamese cooking.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Living a meaningful life requires an integral balance. The balance of work and life can be a challenge. Prioritizing helps me to maintain this balance.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
The establishment of Doctor’s Specialty Pharmacy is the greatest accomplishment to date. Doctor’s Specialty Pharmacy is the first pharmacy to open inside Cedar Lake Medical Park Physician Center in Biloxi. Our pharmacy focuses heavily on medication adherence and helping to optimize and manage patients’ medications. We offer fast prescription fills, expert counseling and a special personal attention. We spend the time with patients to help them get the best value on their medications. Additionally, we offer a wide range of specialized services including compounding, e-prescribing, auto-refills, durable medical equipments, and convenient home delivery.
What motivates you to work hard?
The endless opportunities given to me in America motivate me to work hard. I am humble to say that the product of hard work is the success one can only dream for in life.
LORI A. HARPER
VICE PRESIDENT, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AT INGALLS SHIPBUILDING
What does a successful life mean to you?
A successful life means being committed to and achieving your own goals. From an early age, I would make lists of things I wanted to accomplish. As I got older, these lists morphed into 5-year plans that I would discuss with people I trusted (I now refer to them as mentors). My plans focused on five areas: financial health, physical health, spiritual health, personal relationships, and professional growth. I knew that these areas needed strengthening in order to fulfill my dreams. I still make lists, I still have 5-year plans, and I’m still committed to my own success.
Just as importantly, a successful life is being committed to the success of others
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
I have become involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast. The organization’s mission aligns with my personal beliefs, and so it has been a great experience. I’m currently on the Board of Directors and I must say that I’m constantly inspired and energized by the men and women who give so much of their time to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
I mentor women (and men) on a daily basis. As the only female vice president at Ingalls, I’m frequently asked for guidance and advice. It’s time consuming and at times overwhelming, but it’s also a phenomenal opportunity to support and help others. I am also the executive sponsor for our employee resource group, Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise, whose mission is focused on developing top talent, coaching for success, and enhancing image.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Get to know yourself. When you understand who you are (good and bad) you will manage yourself differently and will also impact the way that people view you.
Surround yourself with the right people. My best friend’s husband retired a few years ago after a successful 25-year career in law enforcement. During those 25 years, he found his passion and purpose which is to make a difference in the lives of young men. He has a motto that I believe is true at all stages of maturity and in all walks of life and it is “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
Perform. Understand your current job, work hard, and focus on being the best at what you do. Self-awareness, communication skills, advanced education, supportive relationships, and influential mentors are important, but none of those will matter if you don’t perform.
Are you a perfectionist?
Unfortunately, I am a perfectionist; but I’m a long way from perfect, which means that I’m often frustrating and frustrated.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
Nelson Mandela said that “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure.” Taking risks requires courage, courage to succeed and courage to fail. During my journey, I’ve become very comfortable taking risks … making myself a bit uncomfortable in order to stretch and grow.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
The biggest contributor to my success was my mother, Beulah Smith. She was my loudest cheerleader and also my harshest critic. She held me to high standards but made sure that I never looked down on others. She encouraged me to take risks, was there to console me when I stumbled, but she never allowed the pity party to go on too long! She wasn’t perfect, but she loved me unconditionally, and I owe all that I am to her.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
What’s that? When I have free time, I like to spend it with my husband — if I can pull him away from ESPN.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
No, but I should.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
My personal experience has been that there is no such thing as work/life balance. It’s a matter of choices and you deciding what what’s most important at any given point.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
My five grandchildren! Well, I guess I should start with my two sons that I’m very proud to claim. They’re good men who’ve had their own bumps in the road but didn’t give up.
What is your favorite book?
I don’t have a favorite book, but I am an avid reader.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
Empathy
What motivates you to work hard?
I want to make a difference in the lives of others.
CANDACE SPARKS
OWNER, INVENTOR, PRESIDENT OF S.P.A.R.K, LLC
What does a successful life mean to you?
What a successful life means to me would be to continue to be in relationship with my Lord and Savior. Being able to conquer any trials and tribulations that are yet to come and to grow old with my husband of 15 years.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it?
I’m passionate about family and faith. I identified my passion for family while active duty Air Force and being away from family. Faith is how I continue to pursue the path of entrepreneurship.
What bumps did you hit along the way?
I made a lot of rookie mistakes in the beginning such as getting a lot of product made without a buyer. Then I had to sit down and strategically map out a game plan to move to the next level.
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
I am very passionate about making motherhood easier for all mothers. S.P.A.R.K provides BabyBedside 3-N-1 Changing Station to various organizations such as Socks Place, an organization that helps homeless teens and young mothers, and Advocates for Freedom, a faith-based organization dedicated to ending the exploitation, sale, and enslavement of men, women, and children.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
Many women either come to me and ask how to start a business or how to go through the process of making a product. Some simply thank me for inspiring them to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Research, research, research! I’ve heard people say dive into it; however, that is not cost effective. Everyone should write down what you would like to accomplish and devise a business plan.
Are you a perfectionist?
No — only when it comes down to the details of design; otherwise, I’m usually trying to find a resource to help with things I don’t understand.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
In the entrepreneurship realm, everything is a risk; you have to have faith in yourself and faith in your business. You also need to be realistic, if you are pursuing a service business or bringing a product that is already on the market, you have to ask yourself what is going to make your business or product stand out from the competition.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
Walking by faith and not by sight. If I did not have faith I would have never attempted to start a business, let alone birth a product.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
Yes! I have three boys and a husband who is currently active-duty Air Force; so alone time is very precious. Going to the grocery store by myself is great! Going to Starbucks for a cup of coffee for 30 minutes is sometimes just enough for me to reset and tackle business and family.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
I like to run; it is so liberating, and I’ve learned that is the BEST way to relieve stress.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Prayer, meditation, and coffee!
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
My children, the ability to birth life and help them find their way in this world.
What is your favorite book?
The Bible
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
Faith/lack of consistency
What motivates you to work hard?
My family and an attitude of “I refuse to be defeated.”
BRITTNEY REESE
FIVE-TIME WORLD OLYMPIC CHAMPION
What does a successful life mean to you?
A successful life to means being able to wake up every morning to do what you love to do without any regrets.
What are you passionate about and how did you identify it? What bumps did you hit along the way?
I am very passionate about my sport and competing to the best of my abilities. In 2013 I had surgery on my hip, and it caused me to have a setback in 2014. Having to miss a lot of my training showed me just how much I really love track and field.
Do you have a cause or causes for which you allocate a significant amount of time unrelated to your profession?
Working on my scholarship fund and other charities is something that I love to do. I want to be able to help kids in the Gulf Coast community to see that they can be successful.
Do you play the role of mentor or advisor to other women who are looking for their passion?
Using social media as an outlet for women to reach out to me is great. I feel that it is important to connect with people and answer as many questions as I can to help other women.
What three pieces of advice would you give to young women who are just beginning their careers?
Stay positive, work hard, and follow your dreams.
Are you a perfectionist?
I would say that I am a perfectionist when it comes to practice. At practice I film myself and then take it home to review it. I like to compare and contrast from various practices to determine what needs to be worked on the most so next practice I can put that in my workout. It helps me to become a better athlete by being a student first and then a long jumper.
To what degree does risk taking play a role in your success?
By beating my body up everyday I am at risk of having a major injury if I don’t take proper care of myself.
Who is the biggest contributor to/supporter of your success?
My family is the biggest supporters of my success. From when I started sports in the fourth grade to me now being a professional athlete they attend or watch every meet that they can.
Do you value alone time and what measures do you take to schedule alone time?
I do value alone time because it gives me time to relax and reflect on life.
Do you have fitness and health routines?
My fitness and health routines are pretty simple. I practice five days out of the week and rest on weekends, depending on what part of the season I am in. My health routine is basically me just making sure I am getting the right amount of carbs in my body before and after practice. I am not on any kind of strict diet because I don’t gain weight easily.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Track and field gives me the opportunity to easily balance work and life. I practice in the mornings for about four to five hours and then I have the rest of the day to myself.
What is your greatest accomplishment, to date?
My greatest accomplishment to date is winning the Olympics. That was one of the best days in my life.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book right now is The Secret: Law of Attraction.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
My greatness strength is my drive to be the best. No matter what happens to me I will always think positive and find a why way to get the job done.
What motivates you to work hard?
My family and my fans motivate me to work hard. I want kids to look at me and see that I worked hard to get where I am at.