Women in Business January 2022

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Running a business takes ambition, smarts and a lot of drive.

The women who run businesses throughout the Birmingham-area have all three, plus a passion for what they do.

From retail and food to health care and fitness, our annual Women In Business feature is a chance to get to know some of the faces behind the success of many of the businesses in our area.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Celia Davenport DAVENPORT DENTAL AND WELLNESS CENTER

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or Celia Davenport, dentistry runs in the family.

Her father was a dentist.

His grandfather was a dentist. In fact, her family has had a dentist in the family since the 1890s.

Celia, therefore, always knew she wanted to be a dentist. She came to Birmingham for dental school and fell in love with the city. After finishing a residency at the VA Hospital, she opened her own office in the Lakeview district.

“I wanted to own my dental office so that I could make my own decisions about what is best for the patient,” she said.

As owner of Davenport Dental & Wellness Center, she is the first female dentist in the family. She said she was knowledgeable about dentistry when she started the practice; however, learning the business side of the practice was a steep learning curve. They don’t teach business loans, insurance, marketing and more in dental school.

As she encountered business challenges and learned from them, though, she wrote about them in her journals.

She hopes to someday share these tips and tricks with others who dream of someday owning their own business.

“My No. 1 piece of advice for those looking to open their own practice is to set specific goals and plan ahead,” she said. “Opening a practice takes a lot of time and hard work. But the first time a patient tells you how comfortable and clean you made them feel, you know it

was so, so worth it.”

Celia prides her practice in being led by a dentist. A growing number of dental offices aren’t actually owned by dentists — instead, they’re owned by private equity groups. So Celia wanted an office that held oral health to the highest priority and focused on its relation to a person’s overall health.

“Inflammation in the mouth can lead to inflammation throughout the body,” she said. “Oral disease is linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, and preterm birth. Having an autoimmune disease myself, I am dedicated to helping people achieve their best oral health and overall systemic health.”

It’s not just led by a dentist, though — it’s also female owned and operated. Celia has several small children, as do many of the employees at Davenport Dental, so Celia made sure to include a children’s room in the office for all of the staff and their families to use.

“The balance between full-time work and parenting is always a challenge, and I try to help in any way I can,” Celia said.

The office overall is a warm and comfortable environment so that all clients enjoy going to the dentist.

When children experience anxiety about their dental appointment, they’re able to have Celia’s therapy dog, Pepper, sit on their lap during their procedure.

“Pepper is so great with our clients,” Celia said. “I’ve seen children’s faces

► WHERE: 2940 Clairmont Ave. S. ► CALL: 205-277-2297 ► WEBSITE: davenportdentaland wellness.com

completely light up when they see her.

It definitely makes them look forward to getting their teeth cleaned!”

Patients can also trust that they get the best care possible at Davenport Dental, where the dentists use ​​ state-ofthe-art technologies in all procedures.

“These new technologies allow us to detect dental concerns at early stages, treat your oral health needs with precision, and provide stunning and customized restorations,” Celia said.

Dental services include crowns and bridges, dental fillings, root canals, teeth whitening and more. The office also has an esthetician on staff to offer services such as botox, dermal fillers, hydrafacials and more.

“Dentists are very knowledgeable on the anatomy of the head and neck,” Celia said. “This makes us great providers for services such as botox and fillers.”

They will always be a dental office first, Celia said, but offering these

services ensures that “you as a whole are healthy.” The aesthetics become part of that because it can improve one’s confidence and self-esteem.

Celia recommends patients regularly see their dentist once every six months for a dental cleaning. Did you know that during these appointments, dentists like Celia and her team at Davenport Dental will check for signs of oral cancer?

“When we look at the inside of your mouth, we check your gums, tongue, insides of your cheeks and more for discoloration or other signs of oral cancer,” Celia said. The dentists also can catch signs of heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorders and eating disorders.

“A lot of people think they can skip their regular dental appointment just because their teeth ‘look fine.’ But it’s so much more than just a teeth cleaning — we’re making sure your overall health is in tip top shape.”

If you want a dental office owned by an actual dentist who prioritizes your overall health, then Davenport Dental and Wellness Center is for you. Celia works hard to provide the best treatment for her patients and to make her patients’ experiences as comfortable as possible.

Davenport Dental is located at 2940 Clairmont Avenue South in Lakeview.

When you see the giant tooth out in front, you’ll know you’ve made it to the right place.

Visit davenportdentalandwellness. com to make an appointment.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Ladies of Leadership Hoover LEADERSHIP HOOVER, SOVEREIGN CPA, ITAC SOLUTIONS, ALDRIDGE GARDENS AND DR. JAMIE BELL

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he Hoover Sun’s Women in Business issue typically features several of Hoover’s female business leaders and highlights them individually.

However, so much of the strength of ANY community — business or personal — comes from relationships developed by its members: their knowledge and experiences shared with each other. Hoover’s Women in Business are leaders — leaders who were trained, mentored, and supported along the way. They in turn provide counsel, mentoring and their support to others — both formally and informally. Our City’s Leadership Hoover program, just launched in 2017, has already proven to be a catalyst for the development and growth of these important relationships between the members (women and men) of our business community.

Our City is one that is extremely diverse; therefore, the diversity of each of Leadership Hoover’s classes has been a priority from the beginning. To be successful, and become the source of knowledge, experience, and support which was envisioned for the program, the class members have to represent not only the businesses who call Hoover home, but also the characters and backgrounds of our community members – their races, genders, and ethnicities. Each class has done so, and the Women in Business who are graduates of the first four classes, as well as the current class, are stellar representatives of the leadership of our community.

Today, we are not highlighting a particular female Leadership Hoover graduate or class member.

We are celebrating all of our Leadership Hoover Women in Business.

These ladies — leaders in business — grew their circles of support, sources of knowledge and shared experiences, through their Leadership Hoover class-year journeys.

Most continue to do so – even after graduation — as the relationships built during their class year do not end with graduation. They continue to flourish. Our graduates also remain ingrained in the LH program and live its philosophy by engaging with new classes as mentors, speakers, sponsors, board members, and class leaders, as well as resources for our emerging business leaders.

The relationships they made, maintain, and develop — both professionally and personally — have become lasting connections in a myriad of ways.

“Our alumni group grows as each class graduates — which in turn expands our own trusted circle of support. We always know who we can call,” said Diana Knight (’19) with Sovereign CPA. Diana serves on a number of non-profit boards in Hoover and serves as the Treasurer to Leadership Hoover.

Tynette Lynch (’18) serves as Chairman of the Leadership Hoover Board and remarks, “Being involved in Leadership Hoover has meant so much to me. When I first started in the Hospitality Industry, I was in the minority as a female General Manager in a predominately male position. I learned the importance of positive leadership

throughout my life, personally and professionally, and our Leadership Hoover program epitomizes just that.” Tynette is the CEO of Aldridge Gardens and the Director of Hospitality & Tourism for the City of Hoover.

Christy Williams (’22) VP of Sales at ITAC Solutions and a member of the current class said, “In a world where women are constantly stacked against each other, it is key that we break that cycle.

We have to shift our minds from intimidation that causes hatred to motivation that causes mentorship.

We are truly all in this together.”

“Authentic leaders lead by example and not by intimidation,” said Dr. Jamie Bell (‘20), a physician at Birmingham VA Medical Center and a board member.

“Participation in Leadership Hoover is Bell growing strong among women. The inaugural class was 45% female compared to the current class that has 62%. Around 70% of our applicants for the 202122 class were women,” stated Lori Leonard, Executive Director since 2018.

The Ladies of Leadership Hoover include Women in Business from a very wide and varied range of employers, businesses, and professions. We are delighted to celebrate them all!

CLASS OF 2017–18

► Toni Herrera-Bast – VP – President/CEO - Hoover Chamber of Commerce ► Kem Marks Bryant – Founder/ Chief Attorney – Just in Time Legal Solutions, Inc. ► Susette Clark Walker – Realtor – RealtySouth OTM ► Jessica Coates – CEO – Howard County Association of Realtors ► April B. Danielson – Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – Attorney – Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC ► Khristi Doss Driver – Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – Associate General Counsel– Southern Nuclear ► Shannon Isbell – News Director – WBRC FOX6 News ► Sarah Johnson – Realtor – ARC Realty Hoover ► Melinda James Lopez – Adjunct Professor – Auburn University ► Tynette Lynch – Chairman, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – CEO – Aldridge Gardens/ Director of Hospitality and Tourism – City of Hoover ► Lynn Ray – Secretary, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors– President – Business Telephones, Inc. (BTI) ► Lori Salter Schommer – Retired – Public Information Officer – City of Hoover ► Shelley Shaw – Executive Director – Hoover City Schools Foundation ► Janet Turner – Educational Consultant – College Admission Pros ► Jennifer Whisenant – Member, Leadership Hoover Board

► Carrie Steinmehl – Technology Manager – Hoover Public Library ► Michelle Torbor – Owner/ Licensed Professional Counselor – Cardinal Wellness ► Kimberly Nash White – Principal – Gwin Elementary – Hoover City Schools ► Tahara Evans Wood – Director – Hoover Randle Home & Gardens

CLASS OF 2021–22

of Directors – Executive Director – Birmingham Automobile Dealers Association

CLASS OF 2018–19

► Dr. Jamie Bell– Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – Physician – Birmingham VA Medical Center ► Kenya G. Bledsoe – Owner – Bledsoe Counseling, LLC ► Ruth Cole – Community and Civic Leader– President, Hoover Library Foundation and Board Member, Greystone Residential Homeowners Association ► Whitney Culpepper – Pharmacist ► Diana Shaw Knight– Treasurer, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – CPA/CVA – Founding Member – Sovereign CPA Group, LLC ► Jessica Payne – Senior Vice President of Public Finance– PNC ► Bevin Tomlin – Business Strategy and Financial Manager – Alabama Power Company ► Mesha K. Walker – Assistant Director of Human Resources – City of Hoover ► Chastity Stevenson Westry – Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – Retired Senior Director of Sales – Pepsico/Frito Lay

CLASS OF 2019–20

► Brooke Adams – Sr. Auditor & Project Leader – Office of Inspector General ► Kathy Boswell – Executive Vice President, Community and Volunteer Engagement – The World Games 2022 ► Karen Bruce – Campus Director– Faulkner University ► Jennifer Campbell – CEO Cherry Grove Creative ► Kechia Davis – Criminal Judge – Jefferson County Circuit Court ► Shannon Driver – Chief Marketing Officer – Gagliano Mortgage, Inc. ► Bernadette Beavers–Forrest – Instructional Designer – iLaw Venture ► Donna Francavilla – Chair – Alabama Media Professionals Sponsorship & Foundation ► Angela Jarrett – VP, Claims and Customer Benefit Administrator – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of AL

► Jessica Johnson – Attorney/ Partner – Burns, Brashier & Johnson, LLC ► Leslie Schiffman Moore – Attorney at Law – Moore & Moore ► Kerry Pate, EdD – HR Specialist – Hoover City Schools ► Melanie Posey – Public Information Officer – City of Hoover ► Kela Pryor – Chief Executive Officer - Kela Pryor, CPA ► Cherinita Reese – Senior Director of Care – Faith Chapel ► Alison Howell Steineker – Government and Community Relations Manager – Alabama Power Company

CLASS OF 2020–21

► Christina Almanza – Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – Business Development Coordinator – Buffalo Rock Co. ► Jeannine Bailey – HR Project Implementation Manager – Alabama Power/Southern Co. ► Yolanda Walter – Commercial Account Manager – Alabama Power Company ► LaVeeda Battle – Owner – Battle Law Firm ► Danielle Buchanan – Human Resources Operations VP, Mergers and Acquisitions – Regions Bank ► April H. Collins – Owner/ Attorney – Collins Law, LLC ► Jennifer Harris – Director of Client Relations – Weber Mortgage ► Yolanda Hicks – Account Success Manager- Cumulus Media ► Traci Fox – Owner – T. Fox SalonSpa ► Jennifer L. Maye – Director of Professional Learning – Jefferson County Board of Education ► Patricia Davis–McCulland – Deputy Compliance Officer – Encompass Health ► Tanveer Patel – Co–Founder and President – ConcertCare ► Kristin Powell – Psychologist – Blankenship & Seay Consulting Group ► Debbie Rutherford – Fashion Consultant/Model/PR – Town & Country Clothes ► Samata Shah – Member, Leadership Hoover Board of Directors – President/ Owner – Kopri Signs & Graphics, LLC ► Mary Smith – VP Treasury Operations, Retired – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of AL

► Katrina Cade – Owner – PrideStaff ► Pooja Chawla – Attorney at Law – Pooja Chawla, P.C. ► Anita N. Clemon – Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity – The University of Alabama at Birmingham ► Erin Colbaugh – Assistant Director Hospitality, Tourism & Events– City of Hoover ► Terri Coleman – School Counselor – Hoover City Schools/Trace Crossings Elementary ► April DeLuca – Partner – Magic City Law, LLC ► Mitzi Eaker – President/ Owner – Mitzi Jane Media ► Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox – Physician Owner – Leesha M. Ellis-Cox, MD, MPH, LLC ► Robin Gerstenberg – Realtor – Keller Williams Realty ► Heather Harvill – Associate Counsel – Preferred Growth Properties ► Porsha Hicks – Engineering Business Partner Manager – SVP – BBVA Now a Part of PNC ► Laura Jackman – Member – Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, L.C. ► Kimberly L. Jackson – Government and Community Relations Manager – Alabama Power Company ► Shaquana Lamar – I & C Renewables Project Supervisor – Southern Company Services ► Kimberly Ray – Builder Services Manager – SouthWest Water Company ► Marcella Roberts – EsqPrincipal/Owner/Developer – M. Roberts & Associates, LLC ► Takeria Stephens – SVP, Fair Lending & Redlining Compliance Manager – Regions Bank ► Dr. Chijioke Ulasi – Dental Director – Whatley Health Services ► Mary Veal – Director of Human Resources – Hoover City Schools ► Christy Williams – VP of Sales – ITAC ► Nina Williams – Sr. Project Manager – Jacobs Engineering ► Honorary Member: Terry Shea – Founder and Former Owner, Retired – Wrapsody – Inaugural Board Member ► Executive Director: Lori Leonard

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Terry Marlowe

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RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES

t’s been almost two years since RE/MAX Southern Homes’ Terry Marlowe was diagnosed with Stage 4 LAMN (Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm), a rare appendix cancer.

Then in 2020, she was admitted to Grandview Medical Center with an enlarged appendix. After having it removed in February, it was discovered that cancer had spread throughout her abdominal cavity.

She had to spend nine hours in surgery where the team of doctors removed the peritoneal lining of her abdominal cavity due to pseudomyxoma peritoneal neoplasm, her Omentum, notable tumors and performed a right colectomy in an effort to remove all visual mucin. She then received heated intravenous chemotherapy at 104 degrees for more than two hours. This procedure, known as CRS-HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, can only be performed in certain hospitals and is referred to as the “mother of all surgeries.”

Throughout the recovery process, Terry was thankful for her career in real estate.

“Strength came in the moments I felt I couldn't go,” she said. “In my 19-year career in real estate, I have had many clients who became some of my closest friends. I called on some of them to privately pray for me. Several are pastors, nurses and doctors. I knew I could count on their support and prayers. I had many from several states praying! Just a text, message or card meant so much to me.”

Her career has given her more friends than she could have ever imagined.

“I'm grateful beyond words for the show of love and sincere support I received during my recovery and beyond,” she said.

While she didn’t always know she would have a career in real estate, Terry said she knew early on that she knew houses. She has owned many homes throughout the years, and before she became a real estate agent, she sold several.

“I have remodeled many homes, and I love to decorate and restore homes,” she said. “I have been successful in sales and marketing prior to becoming a Realtor.”

She’s a licensed broker in Georgia and Alabama.

She also owned and brokered her own RE/MAX office in Georgia for six years before moving back to Alabama in 2013. That’s when she joined ARC Realty and was a top producer for the past seven years.

The year 2020 was her best year since being back in Birmingham. She ended the year as No. 6 at ARC Realty and the company's No. 1 selling Realtor in the 280 Corridor in volume sold.

Although 2020 was a difficult year, Terry said she has been really blessed. She said it’s God blessing her through a terrible time, helping her to persevere “through the most difficult time I have ever had to endure with determination to see things through.”

About 95% of her business is referrals. “I rarely advertise myself,” she said. “I find that the best clients are those that come to me as a referral from a past client or friend. I don't have to worry about selling myself. I concentrate on what I can do to sell their home.”

Clients have told Terry that she gives excellent advice and makes the process go smoothly. She works countless hours to make sure her clients get the best deal. Clients have also said she seems to be available 24/7 to answer any questions they have.

For those buying or selling a home, Terry said it’s extremely important to choose a real estate agent with knowledge and years of experience in the business.

“Those of us who have been working full time for two decades will tell you we sometimes don't have all the answers,” she said. “But it's like this: last year I was told I would need to find a specialist to do this rare surgery. We researched and found a surgeon that had done many surgeries. I didn't want one with little experience learning on me. Similarly, you don’t want an inexperienced agent making their mistakes on you.”

Terry also recently became a part of the council for the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritoneum

► WHERE: 110 Inverness Corners ► CALL: 205-704-4111 ► WEBSITE: remax.com/real-estate-agents/ terry-marlowe-birmingham-al/100359408

Research Foundation, a nonprofit that was started in 2008 by appendix cancer survivors. The organization

raises awareness and funds for cancer research and clinical trials, and it is a source of information for new patients. Learn more about the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritoneum Research Foundation at acpmp.org.

“I am one of 28 council members for this patient advisory council,” she said. “We had our first meeting in January 2020 and then quarterly. We come up with ideas to raise awareness. Actress Audrey Hepburn and ESPN anchor Stuart Scott both died from the disease.”

She describes her experience as “having to go through hell to get to heaven,” but she feels like God has carried her through the entire way.

“If I can help somebody else, that’s all that matters,” she said. “As long as people need and request me, I’ll keep working.”

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Christine Abenoja ABENOJA ORTHODONTICS Every time Dr. Christine Abenoja takes off a patient’s braces, it feels like a victory.

She’s not just giving them straight teeth, but confidence that can last a lifetime.

She graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Connecticut in 2005 and obtained a Master of Science and certificate in orthodontics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008. She and her staff see patients “ages 6 to 82” and treat a variety of orthodontic problems, including alignment, bite and jaw issues, sleep apnea and temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

“Having my own practice really allows me to practice the way I want to, to try new technology, to be cutting edge, to grow and build and serve the way I envision,” the Mountain Brook resident said.

She’s a board-certified orthodontist who has practiced in the Liberty Park area of Vestavia Hills for 13 years. She considers her practice to be a results-oriented practice.

Dr. Abenoja explains that in today’s orthodontics, there is no reason to not love your smile! And with mask wearing in full force, there’s no better time to work on your teeth, revealing something quite beautiful when the masks come off.

Invisalign, clear brackets or traditional braces are popular choices Dr. Abenoja recommends to help patients reach their desired outcome. Each treatment can be custom designed for the lifestyle of the patient.

For example, Invisalign is a clear aligner system that allows patients the freedom to remove the trays for eating and brushing, as well as shorter adjustment appointments for today’s busy lifestyles.

Patients who would never consider traditional brackets and wires can attain excellent results with Invisalign.

Invisalign isn’t just for adults; Dr. Abenoja treats children as young as 7 with Invisalign

► WHERE: 8000 Liberty Parkway, Suite 128 ► CALL: 205-883-1083 ► WEBSITE: bracesbham.com as well.

Ultimately, each approach — whether brackets and wires or clear aligners — is a tool that helps Dr. Abenoja to create a beautiful smile.

Dr. Abenoja believes continuity of care and relationships are important to obtaining the best result for her patients, especially those with complex cases.

She said the patients at her Liberty Park practice are always fun to work with, whether it’s children who are coming in for their first set of braces or adults wanting to improve their smile.

Though there are many good orthodontists in Birmingham, she said it’s her attention to detail that sets her apart, along with the American Board of Orthodontics board certification she received in 2015, the highest possible standard in orthodontics. Only 25% of orthodontists in the US are board certified.

“I’m looking forward to another great year helping my clients get the smile they’ve always dreamed of having,” Dr. Abenoja said.

“I’m so thankful to my community for their continued support!”

Visit bracesbham.com to schedule your free consultation.

Jennifer Mancuso ALWAYS BEST CARE When caring for aging loved ones or disabled individuals, the choices can be confusing. Fortunately, there is a trusted, Mountain Brook-based company that can help. Always Best Care is a home care company that delivers skilled and caregiving services to seniors and disabled individuals. These services can be in the home, hospital or senior living community.

Always Best Care employees provide an array of services such as bathing, vital sign monitoring, medication reminders, meal preparation, companionship, transportation and incontinence care. For those who require skilled services, Always Best Care employs nurses who offer skilled nursing services tailored to the client’s needs. These services include medication administration, catheter, wound, burn and trach care, as well as disease management. “We work very hard to identify and recruit the most qualified and experienced caregivers in Birmingham. A high bar is set because our overriding goal is to provide the best in-home care services available in town,” said Jennifer Mancuso, owner of Always Best Care.

Mancuso has many years of experience in the healthcare industry. She’s worked in sales management and traveled the U.S. with healthcare software and consulting firms for several years.

“When I started the company, I was looking for an opportunity to stay in the local health care arena, serve the community and get off the road,” she said. She found a perfect

► WHERE: 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 315 ► CALL: 205-874-9730 ► WEBSITE: alwaysbestcare. com/al/birmingham

opportunity when she opened Always Best Care nine years ago.

Always Best Care is different from other companies because it provides both skilled and non-medical caregiving services. Always Best Care is the only healthcare company in the state of Alabama to be accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Healthcare (ACHC) for Private Duty Aide and Companion services. In addition to their ACHC accreditation, in November, they were presented with Private Duty Home Care accreditation by the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC).

The company was also chosen to be a Home Care Pulse Best of Home Care – Provider of Choice.

Last December, Always Best Care

was named by Caring.com to be a Caring Stars 2020 "Super Star" agency. Mancuso said that she is truly honored by these acknowledgments of the excellent care services provided by her team and believes that the awards are an indication of the focus, hard work and dedication to the company's clients.

According to Mancuso, “We take a concierge approach to working with our clients.” Upon being contacted by a potential client, the Always Best Care Sales and Services Director creates a customized client care plan. “Our clinical team members make regular home visits to ensure that the client is healthy and happy and that the care plan is being followed. We engage with family members and as well as

the client’s healthcare providers to keep them informed about a client’s health and well-being. As a next step in improving client care, the company will soon be rolling out a free remote monitoring system.

For those clients who are interested, the system can track vital statistics, including blood pressure, glucose levels, temperature, weight, pulse, oxygen levels and other statistics.

By tracking these statistics remotely in real-time and over time, the system is designed to allow clients to age in place and avoid frequent hospital visits, Mancuso said. Since the COVID outbreak last year, more and more people have decided that the safest place to stay is in their homes, as opposed to in a senior care facility. Always Best Care

employees are prepared to work in today’s stringent health care environment and are armed with plenty of training and protective gear for themselves and their clients.

How does Always Best Care know it is providing the highest quality of service? “We routinely survey our clients, as well as our employees, to ensure that they are extremely satisfied with Always Best Care. Any identified issues are swiftly remedied. We are constantly working to improve our protocols,” Mancuso said. In addition, Facebook, Google and other social media platforms show the company receives consistently top ratings. Mancuso stays active in her community by supporting the Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, the Parkinson’s Association, the Tanner Foundation, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and Mountain Brook High School.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Judy Butler BAYSHORE RETREAT When clients come to Bayshore Retreat, they know they’re working with people who’ve been in their shoes before.

Owner Judy Butler struggled with her son, Jeff’s, addiction for decades. It’s her goal to provide the kind of care she wished they received during that journey.

“In fact, it was his idea to create Bayshore Retreat after having gone to Bradford in his early 20s and then a smaller rehabilitation center that provided a better solution for his alcoholism,” she said.

“After finding the answers for himself he asked me, ‘Mom, can we do this and do it right?’ I said, ‘Yes, we can do this!’”

Bayshore Retreat is located on a beautiful waterfront location in Destin, Florida, and Butler said the atmosphere is friendly and healing in nature.

This treatment home is small in size, and Bayshore Retreat only works with a maximum of six clients at a time. They use a 3:1 staff to client ratio, meaning each client receives personalized care.

“We want to offer the individual attention they need for a better recovery from addiction,” Butler said.

Unlike most rehabs, Bayshore Retreat’s program is holistic with dry sauna and massage therapies as well as exercise, food and vitamins. The home environment and ability to work remotely take the fear out of going to rehab.

“Clients will bring their cell phone and laptop,” Judy said. “Many have run their business while there thus reducing the stress of being away from the business.”

Bayshore Retreat offers rehabilitation services to people who are addicted to alcohol, benzodiazepines, crystal meth, opiods and heroin. The 30 plus hours of counseling weekly helps clients get to the root causes

► WHERE: 457 Calhoun Ave., Destin, Florida ► CALL: 850-687-6831 ► WEBSITE: bayshoreretreat.com

and acquire coping skills for the future.

The first step for clients is detoxification, which can be a scary prospect for some clients but is essential for clients to get their lives back. Bayshore Retreat's trained professionals are there to help them through the process.

After detoxing, Bayshore Retreat’s residential inpatient programs are where the

lasting work takes place.

“Staying with us, in our secluded and luxurious facility, removes distractions from the equation and cocoons you in comfort.

No pressure. A place you can truly breathe,” Judy said.

When clients are at the end of their stay, they don’t just jump back into their previous lives. Bayshore Retreat creates personalized

plans specific to their unique needs and helps them maintain their hard-won sobriety.

Judy said her clients remain important people in her life long after they leave Bayshore Retreat.

“I receive calls, emails and text messages of people checking on us and expressing their years of sobriety,” she said. “One such call was this past Mother's Day from a young man who was a client seven years ago. He called to wish me a happy Mother's Day because he knew I lost my son, Jeff, 4 years ago. He also said that hardly a day goes by that he doesn't think of something Jeff said to him that impacted his life.”

The all inclusive-cost is $26,000 for 30 to 35 days. Bayshore is private pay first, and clients can file the claim for possible reimbursement after being discharged, where applicable.

“The greatest satisfaction we have is the knowledge that we’ve helped our clients achieve peace, health and success,” Judy said. “We understand their desire to have a better life, therefore we do everything possible to help them make that a reality.”

Call Judy at 850-687-6831 for more information.

Diana Paulk BIRMINGHAM ANXIETY & TRAUMA THERAPY At Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy, owner Diana Paulk said she has one main goal: to serve as many people as possible with mental health services in the Birmingham metro area.

“That’s how we count our successes,” she said. “We don’t count the money. We count the people.”

Her team is very people-oriented, she said, and people notice the difference as soon as they walk in the door.

“I don’t care if you’re a client or if you’re delivering the mail — we’re going to smile and offer you some water,” she said. “When you're in the South and someone walks into your house, that's the first thing you're going to ask them, ‘Do you want something to drink?’ That bill has gotten larger and larger as we've grown, but it's important for us to make people comfortable.”

At Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy, the business leaders aren’t at the top of the food chain. This is how Diana describes their hierarchy: clients are at the top, and then the front office workers are the next most important people.

“Our front desk workers, Abigail and Dorelle, they’re the first interaction anyone’s going to have. They’re the front line for us.”

They’re also excellent at matching a client with the best therapist for them. Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy has 15 therapists, and each therapist has a different background and specialty.

“In addition to knowing all about anxiety and trauma, each therapist brings in their own specialty, such as anger management, depression, couples therapy, women’s issues and more,” Diana said.

And if a client doesn’t like their therapist for any reason, Diana said they will assign a new therapist to that client.

“So much of changing your life has to do with the fit of the client to the therapist, so we

want to make sure we get the right fit. You can run through every single therapist we have. If you don't like those therapists, we're going to help you find a therapist outside of our business. Usually that never happens.”

Diana said she strives to make it as easy as possible and as pleasant as possible to do the hard work of therapy. She said not every session is “rainbows and lollipops,” but she’s there to help people with the hard things.

She’s learned that sometimes, it’s the little things that count.

“I’ve rearranged my office for a client before,” she said. “He came in, and at the end of our session, I asked how he felt, and he said the office was a little messy. So I hid the computer wires and rearranged things.

The next time he came in, he said, ‘You did that for me?’ I said yes! We really mean what we’re saying here.”

Diana has owned Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy since 2004 and has gradually been growing the business and adding additional therapists. She laughed and said their current space has 12 therapy offices, and the company is all about sharing.

“If someone needs my office for a client, and I’m not with a client, I tell them to kick me out. Clients are at the top of the food chain here. I don't care if I own the place, if you need my space for a client, you can have it.”

Visit therapistsbirmingham.com to make an appointment.

► WHERE: 100 Centerview Drive, Suite 150 ► CALL: 205-807-5372 ► WEBSITE: therapistsbirmingham.com

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Jeris Gaston BRIDGEWORTH WEALTH MANAGEMENT Not many second-grade children follow the stock market in the newspaper.

But as her parents can contest, Jeris Gaston was one of them.

Jeris is now 15 years into her career as a financial planner, but she said financial planning wasn’t always on her radar. When she finished graduate school, she wasn’t entirely sure which career path she wanted to follow.

She knew she wanted to work with people and be in a position where she could help others. That’s how she found financial planning.

“I was lucky at this juncture in my life to have incredible mentors, mostly from my alma mater of Birmingham-Southern College, who helped me think through my strengths and opportunities,” she said. “Ultimately, working in the financial services sector allows me to combine my desire to help others with a long standing interest in capital markets which still drives me to this day.”

As a financial planner at Bridgeworth Wealth Management, Jeris helps her clients become accountable to themselves when it comes to the steps they need to take to pursue their goals. She recognizes the importance of seeing the big picture while helping clients reach their short-term and long-term goals. She said she loves working with her clients and getting to know them and their families.

When asked what free financial advice she can share with readers, Jeris said it’s important to educate yourself.

“Financial literacy is so very important,” she said. “We can’t determine on any given day if the market will go up or down, but having a baseline understanding of what is happening in your financial life is vital, especially if you have a life event happen and decisions have to be made quickly.

“Many of my clients are women who will admit they didn’t have a solid grasp on their financial life before the death of a spouse or

a divorce and how much easier it would have been if they had. Education is empowerment, and I preach that every day.”

Jeris is married to Jordan Gaston and is a mother to twin boys, Graham and Hayes. She said she also loves her career at Bridgeworth because it’s perfect for a working mom: no two days are the same, and she can create her own schedule.

“Right now, women only make up around 18% of the financial services sector, and it should be higher,” she said. “It’s a wonderful career for women who want flexibility, especially when it comes to raising a family.”

On top of her financial planning career, Jeris stays active in her community. She’s a

► WHERE: 101 25th St. N. ► CALL: 205-208-8700 ► WEBSITE: bridgeworthfinancial.com

member of the Birmingham Rotary Club and the Birmingham-Southern College Planning

Giving Advisory Council. She is also past president of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham and the junior board of the YWCA of Central Alabama.

“I truly enjoy being involved in organizations like Rotary, who have such impactful missions and are doing incredible work not just in Birmingham but around the world,” she said. “‘Think Global, Act Local’ is a phrase I’ve used before and I take to heart when I think about the impact we can have when we take the time to be present in our community and work together to make it better.”

If you’re looking for a financial advisor, contact Bridgeworth today. Visit bridgeworth financial.com for more information.

Tina Bolt CITY OF HOOVER From the time she was a little girl, Tina Bolt has always enjoyed tackling a good puzzle.

“It's a lot of analysis and I like that. Breaking it down, putting it back together, seeing how it works, what you can improve on. That’s one of my favorite things — what can I do to make this better?” she explains with a smile.

It’s those same types of challenges that keep her excited about her career today.

“When you're doing financial reporting, when you're trying to solve problems with finances — you're basically putting a puzzle together,” Bolt says.

She gets plenty of opportunities to do just that in her role as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the City of Hoover.

“I manage all of the financial activities of the City. That includes investments, revenue, business licenses, payroll, the budget, planning and anything else that comes up throughout the day that is financially related,” she details.

Yes, her position is a dual role. But she doesn’t shy away from that. In fact she feels she’s been prepared for just such a task.

It started with a love of math in 9th grade.

Bolt says that led her into a job in corporate accounting right out of college. But she quickly learned that wasn’t for her.

“It was just so repetitive. The same thing every day,” she recalls.

Needing more variety, she decided to try teaching. And she loved it.

“I think it was the analysis piece of bringing something out of a student. I liked seeing the light bulb go off with these kids.”

She was in the classroom for fourteen years when a friend asked if she wanted to tackle the CFO position with Jackson County Schools.

It was a tough choice. She really loved the classroom.

“But then I thought, ‘I’ve got nothing to lose. I'll give it a shot.’ And lo and behold, it worked out okay,” Bolt recounts.

So well, in fact, word of her skill to fix

major financial challenges had gotten around.

In 2016, she became the CFO for Hoover City Schools, then did the same in Huntsville.

But there was something about Hoover that had captured her heart. So when a position with the City opened up, she jumped at the chance to return.

“I loved the city already because I loved the people when I was here with the schools. I was really impressed with the mayor and other employees of the city,” she says.

Professionally, the puzzle had come together nicely. But a personal challenge loomed.

In 2020, her son, Tadd, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at just 20 years old. And after a 13-month courageous fight, Tadd passed away. Now, Bolt says, the puzzle has shifted — learning to navigate this new chapter and helping her daughter, Claire, do the same. But she feels being in Hoover has helped make the difficult journey a little easier.

“Things happen here in Hoover because these are great people. I do want to say I have worked with some great people over the years, but the City of Hoover as a whole is a great, great team.”

► WHERE: 100 Municipal Lane ► CALL: 205-444-7500 ► WEBSITE: hooveral.org

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Erin Tatum CLASSIC HOME MORTGAGE Getting a mortgage can be stressful.

That’s why Erin Tatum created Classic Home Mortgage — she’s there to take the stress out of the equation.

“I had a dream of creating a mortgage company tailored towards the client,” she said. “We pride ourselves in educating our clients and holding their hands throughout the entire process.”

Erin established the company in 2009, and she’s been in the mortgage industry for more than 25 years. She began as a receptionist in 1995, worked her way up and then became a loan processor. Later she worked in underwriting, closing and then finally started to originate loans.

“I worked for several different companies, and I quickly realized what I liked about the loan process and what I did not like,” she said. “In 2008, I decided to begin looking into opening my own company. I wanted to take all of my years of knowledge and perfect the loan process. I felt that customer service was lacking at other companies, and that is why it is the No. 1 priority with Classic Home Mortgage.” ​​Every year at Thanksgiving, Erin gifts hundreds of homemade pies to her loyal clients at Classic Home Mortgage. That level of personal care is a commitment that the team at Classic Home Mortgage makes.

“In 2021, we celebrated our Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway. We gave more than 125 pies to our clients. We feel blessed to be able to give our clients a pie to enjoy with their families, and we’re thankful to them for allowing us to be a part of their holiday.”

When coming up with a slogan for Classic Home Mortgage, she knew she wanted it to represent what she does. She decided on “We Fund Home Dreams.”

“It’s a pretty simple statement,” she said.

“But it actually has more meaning. We walk

► WHERE: 1904 Indian Lake Drive ► CALL: 205-444-5866 ► WEBSITE: fundinghome dreams.com

clients through the mortgage process to buy their dream home. Our clients become our friends and part of our family.”

Erin works with many first-time home buyers, and they constantly tell her that she makes the entire process easy and smooth.

Erin also works hard to make sure her clients get the best rate with the best possible service.

She has served as Secretary in 2010, Treasurer from 2011-14 and President from 2015-16 for the Alabama Mortgage Professionals Association. She was awarded Mortgage Broker of the Year in 2012, awarded The Presidential Award for Outstanding Service in 2011, featured as an Industry Leader in the National Mortgage Professional Magazine and was a Top Featured Mortgage Professional in the Top Agent Magazine.

“We know you have a lot of choices when obtaining a mortgage,” Erin said. “We would love an opportunity to be your local lender of choice. Our Classic Home Promise is to give you the best rates, lowest closing costs and always have open and honest communication throughout your loan process. Call us to discuss your situation and let us earn your business. You will not be disappointed.”

Terry Crutchfield CRUTCHFIELD & CO. As a home buyer or seller, it’s important to work with a real estate agent who knows the area well.

That’s why Terry Crutchfield, owner of Crutchfield & Co. that operates under the RE/MAX umbrella, is “recommended for a reason.”

Terry is a Birmingham resident of more than 30 years. She is one of the top resale agents in Shelby County and in her neighborhood. She specializes in selling homes along the U.S. 280 corridor.

She attributes her success in amassing referrals to her readiness to intentionally connect with clients on a personal level and exceed expectations with a passion for helping people through stressful and exciting times. Terry is passionate about giving back to her community, from holding coat drives and neighborhood events to raising funds for the Shelby County Humane Society or Alabama Childhood Food Solutions.

She didn’t always plan on becoming a real estate agent, though. But her mom was a broker in their hometown and had her own real estate agency. Originally, Terry was a

► WHERE: 110 Inverness Corners ► CALL: 205-873-3205 ► WEBSITE: 205-873-3205

part owner of a court reporting firm.

At Crutchfield & Co. of RE/MAX Southern Homes, when working with buyers, Terry and her teammates work diligently to find exactly what the buyer is requesting — many times finding off-the-market properties. They work within their clients’ requested price range and search for homes until they find

exactly what the clients want.

With sellers, Crutchfield & Co. agents offer staging and contractor services if needed. They utilize all forms of marketing to gain maximum exposure and top dollar in the shortest amount of time.

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions a person makes in their

lifetime, and Terry has been a part of her fair share of emotional moments.

“I once represented a seller who was selling her family home where she had raised her children,” she said. “Her son, who lived out of state, surprised her at the closing to be there for her. She and her son were both in tears. She had no idea he would fly in for the closing.”

She’s learned a lot along the way, but one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is to always be flexible — and that’s true whether you’re an agent or the client.

“Be open to change,” she said. “Buyers often change direction in what they are looking for such as location, price point or style.”

Terry chose team members who care about people first. They work on behalf of buyers and sellers for the best results possible.

Terry creates a personalized strategy specific to your individual goals. Schedule your strategy session today and find out how Crutchfield & Co. can make a difference for you.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Amanda Leach CRESTLINE PHARMACY For Matt and Amanda Leach, owning Crestline Pharmacy is a dream come true.

The pair were high school sweethearts, and while they were in college, they both worked at an independent pharmacy in Homewood called Reynold’s Drugs.

Matt proposed their junior year, and as they made plans for the future, they always knew they wanted to someday own their own independent pharmacy.

Specifically, Amanda wanted to own a pharmacy with a gift shop in the front.

“It can seem very trite that my dream was to have a gift shop, but in reality, if you pull back the curtains, this is my vision,” Amanda said. “Our hope is that people experience healing when they come into Crestline Pharmacy, every single time.”

This type of healing comes in many different ways. The customers might feel healing from whoever’s friendly face they meet at the front of the store. Amanda also hopes they feel inspired by the aesthetic of the mercantile. Or perhaps they’re making their journey to the back of the store to pick up a prescription because they have an illness and need medicinal healing.

“We know every single day that people are carrying such heavy burdens — physical and mental,” Amanda said. “So healing, that’s truly my vision. It’s so much more than just owning a gift shop.”

As she and Matt waited and waited to come into ownership of their dream pharmacy, Amanda said she sometimes wondered if it would ever happen. She had many different careers along the way.

Then in 2020, Mike Cobb and Scooter Hammers, the former owners of Crestline Pharmacy, announced that they would retire after owning the store for 30 years. At that time, Matt had worked there as a pharmacist for 15 years, so he and Amanda were a perfect fit.

► WHERE: 60 Church St. ► CALL: 205-871-0317 facebook.com/crestlinepharmacy crestlinepharmacy In addition to managing the gift shop and curating its inventory, Amanda also manages the staff and works hard to set the culture for Crestline Pharmacy. She said she aims to carry on the tradition of the pharmacy while also creating some new things and adding on to the family atmosphere.

Her favorite memories have been learning about the store and becoming part of the Crestline Pharmacy family.

She’s seen mothers who were pregnant who later bring in their newborn babies. She’s held the hands of family members or caregivers who have lost a loved one, and she has walked them through that process.

“It’s such a gift to be a mom and pop business,” she said. “People are so gracious to let us into their real lives. We’re not just a place where you run in to get your prescription and run out. We are hopefully a part of people’s extended family. That more than anything is what we strive to be.”

Crestline Pharmacy is open seven days a week, has a free delivery service and offers in-house charge accounts. The gift shop in the front of the store carries home goods, accessories and gifts. For more information, visit the Crestline Pharmacy page on Facebook.

Judith S. Crittenden CRITTENDEN PARTNERS There is no question that Judith S. Crittenden is a legend in the legal field.

Crittenden graduated from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1970. She became the first woman in the state of Alabama to serve as a Deputy District Attorney, and in 1984 she founded The Crittenden Firm, P.C. She is also a founder of the Women’s Lawyer Section of the Birmingham Bar Association and of the Family Violence Center for the YWCA. She has built an incredible legacy, and now it has been passed on to six other amazing female attorneys.

Crittenden Partners, P.C. was formed in 2014 with the original partners Judith Crittenden, Laura Montgomery Lee, and Paige Yarbrough.

“She built a great firm and a great reputation,” said Lee, the firm’s managing partner.

Lee earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama and began working at the Crittenden Firm in 2010 as a Family Law attorney. She is a member of both the Alabama and Tennessee Bar and is actively involved in the Birmingham Bar Association.

Yarbrough is also a Cumberland School of Law alumna and earned her Juris Doctorate in 2012. She joined the Crittenden Firm immediately after graduating to begin practicing family law. Additionally, she is a co-author of West Alabama’s Practice Series in Alabama Family Law, Three Part Treatise.

Since 2014, Crittenden Partners

► WHERE: 1 Independence Plaza, Suite 305, Homewood ► CALL: 205-874-8680 ► WEBSITE: crittenden partners.com

Standing, from left: Kathryn Henry, Lindsay Van Noy and Deborah Gregory. Sitting, from left: Nicole Saia, Judy Crittenden, Laura Lee and Paige Yarbrough. Photo by David Smith at Canary Gallery.

has expanded and added three additional partners. Deborah Gregory joined in 2017, while Kathryn Henry and Nicole Saia both became partners in 2019. Together, they have over 100 years of experience and a diverse set of skills that can handle any matter with the utmost expertise. Crittenden Partners’ newest associate, Lindsay Van Noy, joined the firm earlier this year.

Crittenden herself will still be

actively involved and available to clients in an Of Counsel role.

“Our motto is ‘The Strength of Integrity,’” Lee said, adding that the law is their passion and integrity is their foundation. Compassion is also a big part of Crittenden Partners’ work as they specialize in divorce litigation, including jurisdictional issues, spousal and child support, child custody, marital property characterization and valuation and division of assets.

“We don’t want to create scorched earth,” Lee said. “We try to manage emotions with the ability to preserve assets and preserve integrity. Sometimes it can be tempting to fight every battle in the heat of emotions, but when it comes time to co-parent with the other person, a client is no longer glad they’ve gone down this road.

We want to help alleviate that and fight the battles that matter.”

Crittenden Partners also

specializes in post-divorce actions, including actions to enforce prior divorce judgments and actions to modify child custody, child support and spousal support. Its other areas of expertise include family law appeals, paternity matters, adoptions, and prenuptial, postnuptial and marital settlement agreements.

Additionally, Crittenden Partners has recently extended its practice to include estate planning and mediation services.

“Our benchmark of success is when a client’s case is resolved in a way that the client can feel confident, secure and emotionally capable of moving forward,” Lee said. “We want to ensure that our clients feel that we have made one of the most difficult times in their lives easier to manage and that they have come through that time stronger.”

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Lindsay Cutshall ELLE Have you ever loved shopping at a store so much that you thought, “Wow, I wish I owned this store!”

That’s exactly how Lindsay Cutshall felt about shopping at Elle, a clothing boutique in Crestline Village. And then in the summer of 2021, Lindsay did buy that store.

“I have been shopping here since it first opened as Laura Kathryn when I was in high school,” Lindsay said. “I have always loved this store! What I loved most about what Leslie Pittman did with the store is that she always had such variety with styles and pricing. I am going to try my best to keep it going along with those guidelines.”

Lindsay has worked in retail before, but it’s always been her dream to own a clothing store. She and Leslie, the former owner, have been longtime friends. So when Leslie was ready to sell, it was the perfect fit.

“I absolutely love owning this store,” Lindsay said. “It has been something I have wanted to do since I was younger.

I also love working. I have been a stay at home mom for 15 years and wouldn’t trade that for the world, but I am excited for this next chapter.”

Elle hasn’t changed much under Lindsay’s leadership, but she has added a new shoe line that she found recently at market.

“Other than that, it’s really mostly the same,” she said. “I think more of my style is in the store now, but I shopped here so often when Leslie owned it that the majority of my closet was already from Elle. So I clearly already liked the style of the store.”

It’s just been a handful of months since purchasing the store, but Lindsay said it’s been mostly smooth sailing. One

► WHERE: 61 Church St. ► CALL: 205-870-5683 ► WEBSITE: ellebirmingham.com

challenge is learning how to balance work and family after being out of the workforce for so long.

The other challenge? Making sure she doesn’t keep everything for herself.

“I need to sell the merchandise and not keep it all for myself!” she said, laughing. “But I do genuinely love the clothes we sell here.”

One of her favorite things about owning Elle is that it’s in one of Mountain Brook’s walkable shopping districts.

Each day, she gets excited to meet the new people who walk in and to talk to them as they shop the merchandise.

“I’m a huge people person, so I think that’s really important with this job,” she said.

Elle specializes in apparel, shoes, jewelry and handbags. Designers include Generation Love, Sundry, Karlie, Minnie Rose, BB Dakota, Sofia, DL 1961, 7 For All Mankind, Halebob and Stark X. The store offers shipping and one-on-one appointments.

To get a peek into what’s currently on trend at Elle, follow the store on Instagram at @ellebirmingham.

Dr. Jessica Palmer and Dr. Rena Lewis EYES ON CHELSEA VISION CARE If you wear glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness, the last thing you want is for your vision to continue to decrease over time.

At Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care, Dr. Jessica Palmer and Dr. Rena Lewis works with her clients to prevent this from happening.

This service, called myopia management, aims to decrease the amount of nearsightedness through contact lenses or eye drops. It can keep patients' nearsighted prescriptions from getting worse, hence, preventing the need for thicker eyeglasses in the future.

“There are several big studies that support these treatments,” Dr. Palmer said. “We see patients every week who have benefited from them. Some nearsighted individuals are even able to go without glasses or contacts during the day due to wearing ortho keratology lenses at bedtime.”

Before opening the practice in 2007, Dr. Palmer worked in the field as an optometry technician.

“I began at a private practice at the Eye Foundation Hospital and worked my way up,” she said. “I love helping people to see more clearly.

“I envisioned Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care to grow with the community,” she said. “We have moved into a larger space to accommodate more than one doctor in the future, and we continue to aim to offer the latest and greatest glasses technology and medical equipment to our patients.”

In addition to myopia management, Eyes on Chelsea offers routine eye health examinations, glaucoma treatment, and vision therapy for eye muscle imbalances. It also offers cataract and LASIK pre- and post-operative visits.

Eyes on Chelsea stays current with the latest developments in eye care, prescription lenses and advances in contact lens technology.

“We take pride in building lasting

relationships with our patients, which is why we take the time to get to know you, your vision requirements and your lifestyle needs,” Dr. Palmer said.

In 2022, Eyes on Chelsea is celebrating their 15th year since opening at the Narrows subdivision in 2007. It’s also their third year since the Chelsea Village location opened at 10699 Old Highway 280.

Over the years, Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care has grown to provide quality eye care to the Chelsea and surrounding communities with two office locations and six eye doctors.

“As a resident of Chelsea, I am truly

honored to be a part of the local businesses and schools in our community,” Palmer said.

“I have been so overwhelmed and pleased by the support of the surrounding community over the last 15 years. We are excited to be part of such a growing and supportive area.”

Dr. Palmer is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Alabama Optometric Association, the Birmingham Area Optometric Society and the University of Alabama, Birmingham, School of Optometry Alumni Association. She was awarded Greater Shelby County Optometrist of the Year in 2015.

► WHERE: 10699 Old Highway 280, Building 2 ► CALL: 205-980-4530 ► WEBSITE: eyesonchelsea.com

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Quteria Bryant GOD’S SITTING PARTNERS When you ask someone to give home care services to your aging family members, you want someone who’s going to treat them like family.

For Patricia Brown, that’s exactly what she got when she met Quteria Bryant, who owns God’s Sitting Partners in Vestavia Hills.

Quteria always helped Patricia’s mom in any way they needed.

“If we needed a sitter at the last minute, I knew she would provide,” Patricia said. “She stayed several times, herself. When mom came home from hospital on hospice, Q and a sitter were there with us to get her settled. Q knew mom wouldn’t be with us much longer.

She spent the last night with mom, and when she found out mom had passed, she immediately came back and was with us through that time. I’m so grateful and thankful for that.”

Quteria started in the healthcare field when she was 16 years old.

She gained experience working in nursing homes and hospitals and doing private caretaking.

She loves helping people and always wanted to start her own business. “But starting a business is one of the scariest things there is,” she said.

“I had two patients that would tell me all the time, you just need to start that business,” she said.

“But I had this one particular client who just wasn't letting off of me to start this business.”

The client would coach her and

► WHERE: 4220 Cahaba Heights Court Suite 203 ► CALL: 205-368-3500 ► WEB: godssitting partners.com

give her homework, and the next day she would see him, he would check to make sure she did her homework and made moves to start her own business.

“After I got the confidence and courage, he passed away a couple months later,” she said. “I was sad, mad and afraid all at the same time. He passed so unexpectedly. I

no longer had him here to motivate me and show me how to get this business started.”

But she would remind herself that this client wanted her to accomplish her dreams, and she didn’t want to let him down.

“It’s because of him that God’s Sitting Partners exists today,” she said.

Dr. Holly Gunn GUNN DERMATOLOGY Walk into Gunn Dermatology and you’ll notice right away that it is a unique and innovative practice.

Dr. Holly Gunn, who opened the practice in August 2020, said a common statement she hears from her patients is, “No one has ever suggested that before.”

“We love that we’re different from most of the dermatology offices in Birmingham,” Dr. Gunn said. “Even though I’m from Alabama, I trained in Pennsylvania with additional training in Chicago, California and New York.”

This experience has made Dr. Gunn an expert in diagnosing and treating skin conditions, performing cosmetic treatments, detecting skin cancers, and working with people of all ages, including children.

“I do everything that makes the skin feel and look better and actually become healthier,” she said.

She also helps patients who have disfiguring scars due to acne, skin-cancer removal or genetic conditions, and this is about more than just improving their appearance.

“I've had so many patients improve their lives by becoming more confident after cosmetic treatments or getting their skin condition under control,” Gunn said. “Some of these patients are given the confidence to change careers or get a job they really want. I want to be a helper that makes other people's dreams come true.”

Dr. Gunn is the daughter of an engineer and an artist. You wouldn’t expect someone growing up in that family to become a doctor, but Dr. Gunn always knew she wanted to help people. She looked up to the mom-and-pop doctors’ offices and admired their passion for healing people.

Now that she owns a small neighborhood practice in Mountain Brook, the same city she lives in, she’s living out her dream, she said.

► WHERE: 32 Church St. ► CALL: 205-415-7536 ► WEBSITE: gunndermatology.com

“I wanted to create an environment where people enjoyed coming to work, a place where people enjoy taking care of others,” she said. “I wanted a place where our patients and clients felt that they were appreciated and taken care of as well. I couldn't find that elsewhere here, so I created Gunn Dermatology.”

Dr. Gunn hadn’t ever owned her own business before, though, so opening during the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge.

“Everyday is a learning experience,” she said. “We are constantly getting better at what and how we take care of ourselves and patients here.”

Dr. Gunn’s vision is that Gunn Dermatology will be recognized as innovative, high-quality medical and aesthetic dermatologic care.

“We strive to set a new standard for delivering compassionate, respectful and responsive patient care,” she said.

Dr. Gunn is also working to establish a nonprofit fund to help patients with scarring get the help they need.

“Give us a call to book an appointment today,” she said. “We strive to make everyone have a great experience.”

She faces challenges every day.

She works hard to grow her business and to make sure her patients are happy.

But the rewards are plentiful, and many of her patients become her best friends. One of her “best friend” patients was with her for six years, before she even started God’s Sitting Partners.

“Every weekend she wanted to go grocery shopping. Publix knew us when they saw us,” she said.

Twice a month, they would grab a carrot cake slice to share. “We would cut it down the middle and split it to avoid gaining weight, as we would put it! I miss these moments with her dearly.”

Clients and their families come to Quteria for in-home care, specialized care and respite care.

God’s Sitting Partners serves Jefferson County, Shelby County and the Jasper area.

“From companionship to errands and groceries, our highly-trained in-home caregivers can support your loved ones in the comfort of their own home,” Quteria said.

Contact God’s Sitting Partners Home Care Services today at 205368-3500 for more information.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Dana Walchek HEARING SOLUTIONS A board-certified audiologist for 24 years, Dr. Dana Walchek at Hearing Solutions enjoys helping people enhance their hearing.

“I love helping someone hear their family, friends and favorite music again,” she said.

“The stories of how someone’s life has improved due to regained independence, participation with previous activities, getting that much-needed job or simply being able to hear the pastor again are the best.”

Dr. Walchek and Dr. Melissa Richardson provide hearing and balance testing and treatment to patients of all ages.

Hearing Solutions assesses hearing acuity, hearing loss, ringing in the ears and dizziness.

With their newly expanded facility, they’re now able to offer more services, such as tinnitus treatment and balance treatment.

“In our new facility, we have an expanded schedule with more available providers,” Dr. Walchek said. “We’re so happy for the opportunity to better serve our clients and make it as easy as possible for them to improve their lives.”

With the expanded facility they also now offer cochlear implant services, in addition to having a cochlear implant and BAHA fittings specialist on staff, Dr. Abby Ryan. A cochlear implant is a small device that stimulates a person’s auditory nerve, and it provides a hearing solution for those who are deaf or extremely hard of hearing.

“The testing for a cochlear implant usually takes about an hour and a half to complete,” Dr. Walchek said. “If a patient qualifies, they are referred to an otologist for surgical candidacy evaluation. A month after surgery is completed, patients return to our office where we will install and activate the external portion of the implants.”

Dr. Walchek and Dr. Richardson offer pre-employment testing and follow-up for failed hearing screenings. They also provide hearing aids and assistive-listening devices,

including custom earplugs for musicians, swimmers, hunters and workers in noisy environments.

Hearing Solutions tailors its services for each patient and follows a clear mission: “A strong patient-provider relationship based on honesty, integrity and values is what we strive for, and we feel that this is the best approach to making sure you don't miss any of the precious moments in your life,” Dr. Walchek said. “We want our patients to feel like family.”

Dr. Walchek urges patients to treat hearing loss early. “Adults should make an

appointment as soon as hearing loss is suspected as well. Sudden hearing loss can be a sign of something more serious happening in the body and should never be ignored.

“Mother Nature is going to start reducing your ability to hear by the age of 50 due to the sounds and noises that you’ve been exposed to throughout your life. So, if no hearing loss is suspected, you should have your first adult test at the age of 50 and schedule an annual check-up every year afterward.”

Hearing Solutions serves its clients by appointment only. To request an appointment, visit hearingsolutionsalabama.com.

► WHERE: 3000 Meadow Lake Drive, Suite 108 ► CALL: 205-739-2242 ► WEBSITE: hearingsolutions alabama.com

Laura Gessert and Libby McGowan HENHOUSE ANTIQUES In 1997, Barbara Ashford and Judy Hill opened Henhouse Antiques in English Village.

Their daughters, Libby and Laura, were fifth- and sixth-graders at the time. Together, the girls grew up in the shop and worked during the holiday seasons.

In January of 2020, 23 years later, Libby and Laura decided to take over the shop and follow in their mother’s footsteps.

“I started managing the shop in 2016 with the idea of possibly taking over one day,” Laura said. “When I started working here, I had no idea how much I was going to love working in this business. I grew up with an appreciation of antiques because of my mom being in the business, but my own passion and appreciation didn’t bloom until I started working here full time.

“I have always considered myself a creative person but didn’t really know where I belonged in the creative world. I found that being here I am able to nurture that creativity helping others with their own spaces and with the styling of the shop. Plus, I learned from the best!”

Libby also said her mother influenced her passion.

“My entire life was surrounded by beautiful spaces and homes decorated by my talented mother,” Libby said. “Her love for antiques made me have a passion for beautiful furniture and wanting them to have a home.”

For the most part, the transition has been seamless. Watching their mothers for their entire lives meant they knew exactly how the business worked and what to expect.

There was one challenge though — a few months after becoming financially invested in the business, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

They had just received a 40-foot shipping container filled with inventory on March 12, 2020.

“If it had not been for social media and the long-time loyal customers and designers, we are not sure what we would have done,” they said.

Walk into the store’s double doors and you’ll see the two hard at work, deciding on where to place a lamp and laughing at how busy they are. You might think they were sisters, but really they’re lifelong friends sharing a passion together.

“Our moms have been doing this for 24 years, and we have literally grown up

together,” the two ladies said. “Fortunately, we think the world of each other and our friendship is just as strong as our work partnership. We have very similar personalities which makes working together fun. We laugh a lot!”

The unique pieces for sale at Henhouse Antiques are personally selected by Laura and Libby and are shipped from other countries. The store sells furniture, mirrors, lighting and art with a mix of English and French styles. It feels like the home of a well

► WHERE: 1900 Cahaba Road ► CALL: 205-918-0505 ► WEBSITE: henhouseantiques.com traveled sophisticate, and customers often say, “Wow, I want to live here.”

Learn more at henhouseantiques.com.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Rosalynn Crawford-McKendall INDIAN SPRINGS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY When you were a kid, did you dread the days when your parents told you it was time to go to the dentist?

At Indian Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Rosalynn Crawford-McKendall has the opposite problem: most children don’t want to go home after their visit is over.

“We provide a child-friendly environment,” Dr. Crawford-McKendall said. “The children enjoy watching their favorite cartoons.”

The most exciting part of the visit for every child is that they get a prize at the end.

Dr. Crawford-McKendall recalls one time a 3-year-old patient insisted on being seen before his other three siblings — he wanted to be the first to receive his prize.

“His mother said he was excited all week about visiting his dentist,” Dr. Crawford-McKendall said.

Dr. Crawford-McKendall loved going to the dentist as a child. Having such positive experiences as a child motivated her to pursue a career in dentistry.

She is a native of Greene County, Alabama, and she graduated magna cum laude from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, with a degree in Biology. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University. She also received general practice residency certification from Bronx Lebanon Hospital and her certification in pediatric dentistry from NYU as well. She is Board-Certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She has practiced dentistry since 1998.

“The time and dedication required to achieve this title demonstrates my focus on always providing the absolute best care for patients and their families,” she said. “My experience includes private practice, teaching and mentoring at both NYU and LSU, and work in a wide variety of circumstances, including a mobile dental unit that provided care to at-risk children in New York City.”

Dr. Crawford-McKendall is passionate about educating children on good oral hygiene that can set the foundation for a lifetime.

“I also love working with children and young adults,” she said. “The creativity of the children is amazing. The children’s imaginations are boundless. I enjoy waking up every morning and wondering what interesting adventures we will have.”

At Indian Springs Pediatric Dentistry, the goal is not only to provide excellent dentistry for children but to be a family-oriented business that provides resources for family members as well.

The practice offers Friday as well as

Saturday hours to help parents who are unable to take off work for appointments. The office also has the ability to take children to Children’s of Alabama Hospital for care if they are unable to be treated in an office setting.

In February, the office will celebrate its eighth anniversary.

“It’s truly an honor to serve in this industry that was historically male-dominated and possibly to be a role model for kids and young girls.”

Did you know? Children should establish a dental home by their first birthday or within 6 months of the appearance of their first tooth.

Dr. Karen Hammond INNOVATIVE FERTILITY SPECIALISTS During the course of her career, Dr. Karen Hammond, owner of Innovative Fertility Specialists, has learned that patients who long for a baby will do just about anything to realize their dream.

All too often, these patients go into serious debt — borrowing from banks, credit cards, family and friends. It can be difficult for them to ever repay that debt.

That’s why Dr. Hammond’s goal at Innovative Fertility Specialists is to minimize that debt for her patients.

“Most IVF cycles in this part of the country cost between 12 thousand and 30 thousand dollars per try!” she said. “Those fees are beyond the means of the majority of women and couples.”

Dr. Hammond said only about 10% of patients who need fertility care actually go through treatment.

Why? Primarily for financial reasons.

“We strive to help the 90% of patients who cannot otherwise undergo treatment, by offering IVF (using INVOcell) for approximately $5,000,” she said.

“Although our fees are low, our standard for care for our patients is second to none! We have assembled a team of wonderful, caring, like-minded individuals who love our patients and our mission.”

The INVOcell device allows egg and sperm to fertilize in a small container, about the size

► WHERE: 1 Inverness Center Parkway ► CALL: 205-509-0700 ► WEBSITE: ifsinvo.health of a thumb, within the body. Dr. Hammond is shown in the photo to the right holding the device. It’s an alternative to traditional IVF methods that Dr. Hammond offers at Innovative Fertility Specialists.

Dr. Hammond always knew she wanted to be in the healthcare field. “When I was just 3 years old, I remember telling my paternal grandfather that I would be his nurse after he suffered a stroke,” she said.

As she got older, she started nursing school with the goal of one day becoming a nurse practitioner.

She remembers discussing her dream to someday open her own practice with her maternal grandfather. “I wish they were both still here to see how my dreams have unfolded,” she said.

She began practicing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility in 1985, and she never looked back.

“The country's first IVF baby

was born just two years prior,” she said. “Knowledge and technology on fertility has grown so much in such a short period of time. I love the relationships I build with my patients who entrust their care, hopes, and dreams in me.”

Dr. Hammond’s passion is driven by her patients, she said.

“I love telling a patient that she is pregnant and showing her the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

My heart overflows when I receive a text or birth announcement, and especially when I am able to hold their baby in my arms!”

Her goal in establishing Innovative Fertility Specialists is to provide compassionate, expert fertility care without the high fees.

There is no “I” in team, though, and she said she is honored to have established Innovative Fertility Specialists with Dr. Nicholas Cataldo, the medical director; and Lisa Ray, the embryology laboratory director.

“Alongside our knowledgeable, caring team, including Deanna Adams (administrator), Stephanie Barrix (RN), Lindsey Rinehart (embryologist), Debbie Keeton (andrologist), Brittany Penny (medical assistant), and Trista Taylor (patient coordinator), people are the heart of the program. We promise to provide exceptional patient care without the excessively high fees,” Dr. Hammond said.

► WHERE: 6496 Quail Run Drive ► CALL: 205-739-7773 ► WEBSITE: indianspringskids dentistry.com

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cathy Gapen INTERLINC MORTGAGE SERVICES If you told Cathy Gapen when she was growing up that she would later work in sales, she wouldn’t have believed you. Her set-in-his-ways Southern father had always given her a bad impression of salespeople.

But then, Cathy learned that sales is about connecting with the customer and helping them reach their goals.

It started when her friend, Doug Rohm, asked her to work as a receptionist at his business, Hometown Mortgage. Within four months, she was promoted to executive assistant.

“I enjoyed learning about the business, and I loved my job,” she said. “One day, Doug asked me to consider becoming a loan officer.

Without hesitating, I let him know I was not a salesperson.”

However, God had a different plan, she said.

God would not allow her to stop thinking about the opportunity.

“Three months after Doug initially spoke to me about becoming a loan officer, as I was praying, I overheard a conversation about customer service. I immediately knew that was it! I am not a salesperson, but I can and will provide great customer service. To this day, customer service is my top priority,” she said.

Cathy is now the branch manager at InterLinc Mortgage Services. She guides her clients through each step of the home buying process by drawing on her years of business expertise and knowledge, combined with passion and service.

“Whether you’re refinancing or considering buying a new home, my goal is to make the mortgage process as simple and stress-free as possible,” she said. “I listen to your needs and find a financing solution customized to your budget and life.”

Cathy said she worked extremely hard in the beginning of her career so that someday she could build a team who would be an extension

► WHERE: 10 Inverness Center Parkway, Suite 350 ► CALL: 205-305-0093 ► WEBSITE: cathygapen.com

of herself. Within three years of being a loan officer, her team began to form.

“What I didn’t realize was that my team would become like family,” she said. “I am extremely grateful for our Team Manager, Machelle Tyler, and our Loan Specialist, Rachel Campbell.”

Cathy has overcome challenges along the way, too. She describes herself as a people person, but after a while, she finally realized that not everyone will like her, and that’s okay.

Another challenge in the beginning of her career was the limitless amount of studying and learning it took to become an expert in her field.

“I wanted to learn as much as I could about the industry, and I quickly found the mortgage business was quite extensive,” she said.

Cathy said her clients and potential clients should always feel comfortable reaching out to her with questions.

“You’ll never feel rushed into a decision because I will take the time to go over every option available to you and help you choose the one that you feel is best for you,” she said.

And if you have a motivated personality like Cathy, she encourages that you reach out to her about your career options in this industry.

“This career is so rewarding,” she said. “If you enjoy helping people and have a can-do attitude, please call me to see if this career is right for you!”

Jana Hanna REALTYSOUTH Becoming a real estate agent was an easy decision for Jana Hanna.

After receiving her undergraduate degree in corporate finance from the University of Alabama, she began her career by working as a mortgage banker in the financial industry. From there she moved on to work in sales for Pfizer Pharmaceutical, expanding her horizons while developing her innate skill to connect with people and build relationships.

So, when the time came to make another career move, it was a natural fit when she decided to blend her banking, finance and sales experience into a real estate career. It was the perfect match, and Jana thrived in her new role.

Jana has been an agent with RealtySouth in Vestavia Hills for more than 10 years. She believes that working within the community is vitally important, especially with so many Vestavia connections already made by her family.

“It’s important to me to be in the Vestavia office,” she said. “I live in the community, my children are in school here, our church is here and we are members of the country club. My husband was born and raised in Vestavia, and he graduated from Vestavia High School. I’ve now lived in the Vestavia community longer than I lived in my original hometown.”

This year’s real estate market has been challenging with COVID-19 and a low inventory of homes for sale in the Vestavia market, with a majority of homes continuing to sell quickly.

Taking advantage of technology for video home tours and online Zoom communications to stay connected with clients, no matter how they choose to shop for a new home, has been helpful. Still, the market continues to remain lower in the number of homes available to buy.

► WHERE: 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137 ► CALL: 205-835-6188 ► EMAIL: janahanna@ realtysouth.com “I have qualified buyers, but I just need homes for them to buy,” she said. “But overall, the real estate market in Vestavia has been fabulous.”

Most homes have low days on the market compared to other parts of the city. The prestigious Vestavia schools certainly benefit the market here, and the revitalization of neighborhood shopping areas and new stores continue to add an attractive lure, further demonstrating that you can have it all in Vestavia: beautiful homes, A+ schools, shopping, recreation and business ownership.

With more than 90 percent of her real estate business coming from the Vestavia area, Jana consistently ranks as a top producer with RealtySouth and is in the top 1 percent of sales in all agents in Vestavia.

Jana’s clients appreciate the personal touch she adds in her daily interactions and productivity, making them feel like their needs and wants are heard and that they’re being taking care of, all the way to the smallest detail. Jana believes this type of relationship has been instrumental in helping her achieve success for her clients.

“I like to handle it all myself,” she articulated. “I like to make the calls, and I want each customer to feel important by knowing that they can reach out to me at any time.”

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Katherine Manush REALTYSOUTH Buying and selling houses is a stressful and often confusing thing for many people.

That’s where Katherine Manush comes in. As an associate broker for RealtySouth, Manush works with a lot of first-time buyers and helps to alleviate any concerns.

“It’s a pretty involved process, and I take them step by step and help lead them through the process,” she said.

She started selling real estate in 1991 in Huntsville. She moved back to Birmingham in 1994, and that next year, she decided to study for her broker’s license to provide the best service possible to her clients.

Manush said it’s her job to make buying or selling a home an easier process for her clients. Having been in the business for nearly 30 years now, she knows the ins and outs of it and can help explain things in a manner that’s easy to understand.

“The greatest compliments I’ve been given are when former clients tell their adult children to use me as their agent,” she said.

Her approach is customized to each client, and she said she believes solutions are never one size fits all.

“Finding the right house can be stressful,” she said. “My job is to minimize that stress so that you can enjoy finding your new home. Homes come on the market all the time. I can help you find the very best home before someone else does! With an automatic, internet-based notification system, you can be notified almost immediately when the right home for you comes on the market. You can take virtual tours, check out schools, arrange financing, all without leaving your home! How easy

► WHERE: 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137 ► CALL: 205-533-2614 ► WEBSITE: katherinemanush.com is that?”

And for those who are selling, she said “team work makes the dream work.”

“As your Realtor, it’s my top priority to sell your home quickly and for the best price,” she said. “I have a marketing plan ready to go, and with my large network of agents on hand, the home will be noticed immediately. We need to take all offers seriously. You may accept, negotiate or reject an offer. If you have multiple offers, you do not have to accept the higher offer as some terms in another offer may be more important to you. We will work to fulfill your needs. There is a lot to consider, and together we will identify the best path for you.”

Her past clients have left her glowing reviews. They tell her she foresees potential problems and pays close attention to the needs and concerns of her clients. She bends over backwards for her clients and has saved them thousands of dollars, other reviews have said.

Manush said she is ready for 2022 and is ready to help with any buying or selling needs.

“Give me a call or send an email when you are ready to tour some homes or schedule a free home buying or selling consultation. I look forward to working with you!”

Katie Crommelin RAY & POYNOR In the midst of a chaotic time, home is the center of most people's world.

Making decisions regarding that stable asset is intimidating. Katie Crommelin, a Realtor with Ray & Poynor Properties, is here to help.

Katie has been helping buyers and sellers with all of their real estate needs for a decade, but when the coronavirus pandemic hit, many were given a new appreciation for the place they call home.

According to Katie, now, more than ever, communication is the key to working with her clients to find the most suitable home for their family.

The market is also more competitive than it's ever been, she said.

“Buyers and sellers should be thinking outside the box. They should be looking for an agent who is committed to their search or sale. They should feel like their agent is accessible as well as someone is actively listening and constantly making sure they truly hear what the client is saying.”

And that’s exactly what Katie works to be for her clients. She’s there to guide them through the process and answer all of their questions. She’s also there to give them advice, and her No. 1 priority is clear communication.

“The relationship between an agent and buyer or seller is similar to a marriage: it's a team effort, and everyone has to communicate. Otherwise, it doesn't work as well as it should.”

She recently helped a friend find her mother a home in the Birmingham area.

When they found the right home, “the look on her face was pure joy and excitement,” Katie said. “On days where things may not go exactly as I would like, it's that look that reminds me of the importance of helping someone find their way home.”

► WHERE: 2629 Cahaba Road ► CALL: 205-901-3730 ► WEBSITE: raypoynor.com

With a deep knowledge of Birmingham’s communities, the market, and her client’s needs, Katie understands what it takes to help someone find the right home.

“In both commercial and residential, it's looking at individual puzzle pieces and finding where they go for the perfect fit,” she said.

Katie wants her community to know that they can contact her with any real estate questions. “Whether it's about listing or buying a home, questions about current home value, or even to talk about renovations they are considering and how that will affect their value in relation to other properties around them.

“In addition to helping buyers and sellers at the time of the transaction, I emphasize to clients that I am their real estate resource for life. The help doesn't end at the closing table.”

She loves helping buyers find the right home to fit their needs. For sellers, she loves to analyze the market data and help them find the right price to list their house to sell in the shortest time for maximum dollar amount.

“Everyone should love where they live, and I am always honored when I get to be a part of that process!”

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Kacey Cilimberg MAGIC CITY EYECARE At Magic City Eyecare, patients don’t get a one-size-fits-all approach to eyecare.

It’s a locally owned and operated clinic that customizes the experience for each individual client.

“Our office takes pride in offering outstanding service and protecting your most precious sense, your eyesight!” Dr. Cilimberg said. “I would love the opportunity for you and your family to come and visit us.”

Dr. Cilimberg always knew she wanted to be in the medical field, so when she was in high school, she started shadowing her dad’s optometrist.

“Every time I shadowed, I fell more in love with everything related to the eyes and how they connect to the body as a whole,” she said.

Her dad has an ocular disease known as keratoconus. Patients with keratoconus typically need specialty contact lenses to obtain functional vision, since they don’t see well with glasses.

“I ended up doing my residency specializing in cornea, contact lenses, and refractive surgery. I was able to further my knowledge of keratoconus and become an expert in fitting scleral lenses for patients with this and many other corneal conditions.

“I am so grateful my dad recommended I look into optometry at an early age. It has been the perfect fit for me.”

The thing that makes Dr. Cilimberg feel most passionate about her job is the people who come to her practice. She said she thoroughly enjoys getting to know her patients.

“The best way for me to help take care of my patients’ eyes is to understand how they use them each day,” she said. “The way our practice is set up, I have sufficient time to spend with each patient and discuss their visual needs. This allows me to tailor glasses or contact lenses to enhance their lifestyle.”

Often, people think they don’t need an eye

exam unless they are experiencing blurry vision. But Dr. Cilimberg wants people to know that there are so many aspects of eye health that are unrelated to vision.

The American Optometric Association states that more than 16 million Americans struggle with undiagnosed or untreated vision impairments, which a comprehensive exam could have detected.

These conditions can include dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachment and even brain tumors.

These conditions can be present without symptoms, especially in the beginning. Early

Dr. Mia Cowan MIBELLA WELLNESS CENTER Dr. Mia Cowan has one goal: to teach men and women to “Live Well, Age Well, and Experience Everlasting Intimacy.”

With that goal in mind, she created MiBella Wellness Center in 2010, and she has served thousands of clients over the years.

“I always knew I would be a doctor, at least since seventh grade,” Dr. Cowan said. So she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at University of Alabama, and then she went to medical school in Milwaukee, where she completed a residency in OB/GYN. She returned to Alabama and practiced general OB/GYN at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, serving underprivileged patients.

In 2010, she received her Physician’s Executive MBA at Auburn University and was finally ready to create her own practice.

“During my MBA program at Auburn University, I began birthing MiBella, which was what I had been planning since medical school,” she said. “I also had the blessing of the MBA students at Auburn University studying and researching my business model for their semester project. They created competing business plans under the supervision of Dr. Sharon Oswald, which helped me to plan MiBella Wellness Center under the training of Dr. Sharon Oswald.”

MiBella Wellness Center offers a range of medical and wellness-related services to both men and women such as intimacy solutions, gynecology, weight management, hormone therapy and more.

“MiBella Wellness Center is an amazing operation that improves the quality of life and aging process through total wellness for both men and women,” Dr. Cowan said. “I enjoy teaching women and men to improve their relationships and total wellness through my proven solutions.”

Dr. Cowan said her clients have told her she’s relatable and has excellent bedside manner. She works diligently to figure out

► WHERE: 2807 Greystone Commercial Blvd. ► CALL: 205-995-1009 ► WEBSITE: mibellawellness.com an individualized clinical strategy to get her clients past their goals.

“I interact with so many young ladies searching for their purpose in life, and I get to be a part of that experience,” she said. Dr. Cowan said she mentors young women who come in and shadow or work to get more experience to further their own careers and teach their goals. “I enjoy being an example of what you can do despite color, gender or socioeconomic status, with hard work, faith, persistence and discipline.”

Dr. Cowan is also a bestselling author. In her book, “A Woman’s Guide to Total Wellness,” she unveils her 28 secrets to improving your B3: beauty, balance and belief.

MiBella Wellness Center is located off U.S. 280 near Lee Branch. This is Dr. Cowan’s third location and now has more space and more services. It is staffed by a passionate, enthusiastic team that wants the best for its patients.

“As experts in the fields of women’s health, wellness, and men’s health, we’re the ideal choice for anyone looking for a wellness experience that puts them first,” Dr. Cowan said.

In 2022, she celebrates 12 years of seeing clients at her own practice.

“Thank you for 12 amazing years!” she said.

► WHERE: 8011 Liberty Parkway, Suite 103 ► CALL: 205-506-2200 ► WEBSITE: magiccityeyecare.com

intervention is crucial to protect the longevity of a patient’s eyesight.

For adults, Dr. Cilimberg recommends

her clients have annual eye examinations to assess their vision as well as any medical issues that may arise from year to year. For children, it is recommended to have an exam prior to turning one year old. After that, it is recommended once between 3 and 5 years of age, and annually thereafter.

“Children’s visual needs can change quickly, and monitoring their care yearly is highly recommended,” she said.

Birmingham is home to Dr. Cilimberg, and her optometry practice serves Liberty Park and the surrounding communities. Call 205506-2200 to book your appointment today.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Angelia Spraberry OAK HIGHLAND DESIGN Have you ever gone to the paint store for a renovation project and thought, “Wow, all of these whites just look the same?”

That’s exactly how Lydia Hendrix was feeling when she met Oak Highland Design owner, Angelia Spraberry, in a Benjamin Moore paint store.

Angelia said she remembers hearing Lydia’s frustration and feeling hesitant to step in.

Finally, Angelia decided to go for it.

Angelia said, “You know, looking at all of these different whites, it does get confusing, and they all do start to look the same after a while. I completely understand, and I can help you with that if you like."

Angelia had such good insight and suggestions that finally Lydia said, “Wow, you are good at this!” That’s when Angelia revealed she is an interior designer and had just started her own design business. Lydia hired Angelia on the spot.

“Angelia had wonderful suggestions and ideas, yet she was sensitive to what we wanted and never imposed her own preferences on us,” Lydia said. “She was very organized, giving us names of people who could do the kind of work we needed, and she gave us the option of contacting them ourselves or paying her to contact them and coordinate everything. I appreciated the way she'd always let us know whether the things she offered to do for us were with or without charge. We always knew where we stood. She was great about ordering things such as lighting while helping us stay within our budget.”

Another client, Benita Alford, said she found out about Angelia’s business because Angelia sent out postcards to her neighbors in the Highland Lakes community. Benita received a flyer and decided to give her a call.

“One of the things I really liked about her is she actually listened to what I wanted to do,” Benita said. “We have a traditional home, not an open concept, and she didn't

Let us help you make your home truly yours.

Merry Christmas from Oak Highland Design! try to take the house outside of its intention.

We didn't do anything that didn't suit it. We stayed within the integrity of the home, and I really liked that about her.”

Benita also said Angelia helped her stay within her budget. For example, she didn’t like the tile on her fireplace, but the first stone quote she received cost more than she wanted to pay for the entire project. That weekend, Angelia sent Benita a text saying she found someone who could do the stones in sections so it was more cost efficient.

“It was a fraction of the cost,” Benita said.

“Had she not done that, that would have been $3000 I would have spent on that fireplace.

Others wouldn't have taken the initiative to do

the research. The look was almost the same, and I even preferred it better.”

Angelia has renovated her own homes, so she knows who to use and who does the best work. She also knows that a remodel can be overwhelming, so she organizes the process for her clients.

Bringing joy to her clients is Angelia’s favorite part of the business, she said.

“When you finally get that finished product or final selections are made and the installation is done, and you see the look on your client's face, it brings me joy to see them so happy,” she said. “It's hard to describe that feeling, it's like a giddiness. You get all bubbly. I love to see us accomplish together

OAK HIGHLAND DESIGN DECORATING DEN INTERIORS® ► WHERE: 637 Highland Lakes Cove, Birmingham ► CALL: 205-718-7341 ► WEBSITE: oakhighland.decorating den.com what their vision was for their space and to fulfill that need for them, that is really what I love to do.”

At Oak Highland Design, the first visit is complimentary. Visit oakhighland.decorating den.com for more information.

Jennifer Nesbitt PROVEER AT GRANDE VIEW Coming soon to Hoover is a vibrant, upscale, and modern senior living community overlooking Double Oak Mountain.

Jennifer Nesbitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Proveer at Grande View, said Proveer offers assisted living and memory care centered around the senior experience.

Jennifer has more than 12 years of experience with independent sales and marketing consulting, from community-level roles to regional positions responsible for multi-state oversight of nonprofit and for-profit independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities.

She specializes in sales strategy, sales training, team building and implementation of marketing strategies to increase overall occupancy performance.

Prior to joining Proveer, she spent 20 years in the fashion industry, focused on sales, marketing and outcomes for premier retailers. Jennifer studied fashion merchandising and marketing at Jefferson State Community College and attended the Conservatory of Music at Birmingham Southern College with an emphasis on vocal studies.

“I consider it one of the greatest privileges to work in the senior living industry,” she said. “Clearly, when God opened the door of senior living for me, it was a true gift. I am blessed that I have the opportunity to work in the resident’s home each day.”

Jennifer’s goal with Proveer at Grande View is to provide peace of mind to the clients in their care and for their families.

“We have dedicated ourselves to understanding the needs of seniors who call our community home, the desires of their adult children who call our team extended family, and the expectations of associates who call Proveer partners.”

► WHERE: 700 Corporate Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35242 ► CALL: 205-307-5500 ► WEBSITE: proveersl.com

Proveer at Grande View offers programming for seniors in a variety of situations, from active seniors that don’t want to miss a beat in retirement to those that may require

more assistance.

Assisted living helps seniors who may require a higher level of care maintain their independence. In addition to many events

and social opportunities, residents can receive help with medication management, dressing, grooming, and housekeeping.

Memory care serves adults living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and/or dementia.

Proveer Senior Living’s Cherish program helps residents live a fulfilling life regardless of their cognitive abilities with exceptional care and engaging programming.

We recognize that excellence is a process achieved through purposeful and passionate service.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer at 205-307-5500.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pam Reeve RITCH’S PHARMACY There’s a lot for Ritch’s Pharmacy to be proud of.

The pharmacy has been in existence for more than 75 years and is known for its friendly environment and excellent customer service. Then in 2021, it was one of the few independent pharmacies in Alabama to be selected to distribute the Moderna vaccine.

“Our staff did everything we could to meet the needs of consumers during our COVID-19 vaccine campaign,” said Pam Reeve, one of the pharmacists at Ritch’s Pharmacy. “There were so many people that had been isolated for months in their homes, and they truly enjoyed browsing and shopping for gift items while they waited for their vaccine.”

As the customers waited 15 minutes post-vaccination to make sure they didn’t have a reaction, Pam would sit and chat with them and put them at ease.

“It is in these conversations we learned how isolated so many people were during COVID and how some of their needs, like buying gifts and cards, had been put on hold due to COVID,” said Becky Sorrell, who owns the pharmacy with her husband, Ralph.

“For many, coming to get their vaccine was the first trip outside of their homes in 10 to 12 months.”

Ritch’s Pharmacy’s gift shop selection includes gifts for mother and baby, spa gifts, retro gifts, skincare products and more.

Customers can drop by and browse the gift shop selection or call Ritch’s Pharmacy for personalized gift selection.

“Having a well-stocked store with diverse items that were interesting and affordable helped many of the patients meet their needs for shopping for gifts, all while feeling comfortable in the pharmacy receiving their vaccine,” Pam said. “Many customers would tell us how therapeutic it was to be able to browse and shop safely.”

Ritch’s Pharmacy has served the

communities of Over The Mountain, Homewood, and Vestavia Hills since 1947. Its staff of four pharmacists have over 100 years of experience, and they’re committed to treating you like family.

Pam graduated from Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy in 1983 and has over 35 years of retail experience.

“She is someone who knows healing comes from more than pills in a bottle,” Ralph said of Pam. “Pam gives of herself 110% every day. She wants the best possible outcome for each and every encounter with her patients and customers.”

Pam is good at listening to the patients and helping them ask questions they may not have thought of earlier, Ralph said. She’s also a

► WHERE: 2714 Cahaba Road ► CALL: 205-871-1141 ► WEBSITE: ritchspharmacy.com

good problem solver and loves helping people who come to the pharmacy find solutions.

“It may be in regards to how to best take their prescription or find a good over-thecounter solution,” Becky said. “It may be to help the customer with a personal task, like buying a gift for someone. As people get older,

they really fret over tasks that were once simple, like buying a present for a friend or a card for a special occasion. Pam is always there to help them.”

During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Pam often worked 12-16 hours a day, seven days a week, for many months back-toback. She wanted to make sure the pharmacy met the needs of the community, Ralph said.

“She is an integral team member that is part of the 11,000 doses administered by Ritch’s Pharmacy,” Becky said. “When she isn’t immunizing, she is one of our team members that can provide biometric wellness screenings for State of Alabama employees.

“You could say that Pam is versatile and wears many hats.”

Tricia Stevens S&S CUSTOM HOME DESIGNS Whether you’re doing a home remodeling project or new construction, S&S Custom Home Designs, Inc. is your “one-stop shop” design build company.

Jack and Tricia Stevens started S&S Custom Home Designs in the spring of 1997 as a home design business and a year later grew it into a design-build construction company. For over 23 years, S&S Custom Home Designs has been designing homes, building new homes, remodeling homes, and has even done a few commercial build-outs.

Many times, clients doing a home remodeling project will waste time by communicating with too many different companies. A home remodel can quickly get complicated, and there can be a lot of moving parts.

But with S&S Custom Home Designs, clients love that they can save time and money by working with just one company. Plus, with their years of experience, clients often say that the finished product is exactly how the client envisioned it.

“We have had several clients relay to us that it is more convenient and less confusing than having to go to several different companies,” Tricia said. “We all love what we do here, and our passion drives us to put in the hours and get it right. This really makes the process enjoyable for our clients.”

Tricia said she feels passionate about her job because she knows she’s working with her clients’ biggest investments: their homes.

“Whether I’m working on a remodel and I’m keeping the home in tip-top shape, or if I’m working on a custom home, I’m building someone’s ideal home for them and their family,” she said. “I’m so grateful to my clients for inviting me in and trusting me to build their dreams.”

Her favorite projects are kitchens and baths.

For Tricia, designing a kitchen her clients love means one with plenty of storage and counter space. For bathrooms, Tricia knows

a great tile choice can completely elevate the aesthetic. She aims to make the spaces she remodels functional, bright and elegant.

Her team at S&S Custom Home Designs can install new plumbing fixtures, electrical components and custom cabinets. They can also install custom showers that are ADA-compliant.

S&S Custom Home Designs also offers interior design services. Their interior designer follows a thorough process to ensure

the job goes smoothly. They will: ► Meet with you to get a better idea of your vision and budget ► Provide unlimited designs to choose from, including custom options ► Create blueprints with a 3D rendering of your home's layout S&S Custom Home Designs is a family-owned business of 25 years. Call 205-202-1171 today to schedule services with their experienced team.

► WHERE: 3325 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Suite 213 ► CALL: 205-202-1171 ► WEBSITE: southeasternhomes.com

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Star Washington SLIMFIT WEIGHTLOSS CLINICS When Deidria King went to the doctor for a checkup and was told she was borderline diabetic, her first thought was, “Oh my gosh, what am I going to do?”

Deidria had started working from home during the pandemic, and like many others who hadn’t ever worked from home before then, she gained weight from sitting at the computer all day, from not moving around as much and from working close to the kitchen.

Then she found Slimfit Weightloss Clinics, which is owned by Star Washington.

“My sister had seen an ad on Facebook about Slimfit, and she was like, ‘I think it’s close to you,’” Deidria said. “It was only $99 to join, so we were like, ‘OK, it won’t hurt to try it.’”

The $99 start up fee included a full health assessment, the first lipotropic injection, a 2-week fat burner, a 2-week appetite suppressant, a 1-week detox and a 1250-calorie meal plan. Star also motivates her clients every day and checks in with them. If her clients are at a standstill with their weight loss journey, Star will try to find a way to help them and push them forward.

Within five months of starting her weight loss journey with Slimfit, Deidria lost 50.5 pounds.

“It was challenging,” Deidria said. “I'm a very picky eater, so I was frustrated because you have to eat lots of chicken and vegetables.

► WHERE: 1920 Valleydale Road, Suite 111 ► CALL: 205-582-2240 ► WEBSITE: slimfitweightloss clinic.com

Walking four days a week was fine, but drinking the water and finding the right combination of stuff to eat was challenging to get my mind right to make me want to go head on.”

Deidria reached her target weight in September and hasn’t gained weight since then.

“It was a lifestyle change, and I still do the same thing I did with

Star,” Deidria said. “I told her I was proud of myself for maintaining it.”

Since seeing results in herself, Deidria has sent six clients to Star.

“You see the results, and then it makes you want to share the news with people,” she said. “Everyone’s different. But if I can do it, you can do it. Everybody I've sent has said how they like her because

she motivates you.”

Star said she started as a client first. She struggled losing weight after one of her pregnancies, and before she knew it, she gained 72 pounds.

“I am a product of the product,” Star said. “I want clients to know what makes us different is I know their journey. I've been there. I tell people that when I go to work

Kim McBrayer SPACE CADETS Kim McBrayer has been in the organizing business for 20 years, and people tell her all the time that they thought they were just getting their closet reorganized.

What ends up happening, they tell her, is that the process is greater than they ever expected.

“It sounds somewhat cliche, but when the clients describe it as life-changing, we know we have done something right,” she said.

Space Cadets has everything a person needs to get organized. There’s a retail shop with organizing accessories, but Space Cadets also offers the installation of closet and garage systems as well as the professional organizers to help.

Kim understands her clients because she’s been there before. She calls herself a “recovering messy.”

“This passion of simplifying lives through organization actually developed from my own personal struggles with clutter,” she said. “I understand my clients because I was my first client. I developed proven strategies and methods that worked for me, and now I lead a team of organizers and installers who share with others how to use the solutions that have changed my life.”

Space Cadets offers something for every budget. There are $5 solutions and $50,000 solutions to clutter — and everything in between. There are built-in cabinets for those who want a touch of elegance, and there are fixed ventilated shelves for those who want to get organized on a budget. At the retail and design center, customers can shop a variety of organization products for closets, kitchens, garages and more.

“The old adage is true that we get what we pay for,” Kim said. “We offer excellent quality products, and while there are less expensive options on the market, it is never any fun to pay for something twice because a closet falls, often in the middle of the night!

► WHERE: 5287 U.S. 280 S., Suite 261 ► CALL: 205-326-7025 ► WEBSITE: spacecadetsorg.com

Besides, who wants to empty it all and do it all again? So, invest a little more the first time and get it done right to last longer.”

The process at Space Cadets starts with a consultation, which is called a Space Walk.

At this meeting, clients will discuss their trouble areas, specific needs, budget and expectations.

Next is the design phase. If a product system is required, one of the Space Cadet designers will prepare a plan and estimate for your review.

The production phase is the moment the client has been waiting for. Here, the Space Cadets will organize with great care and attention to detail and leave the space better than they found it.

Space Cadets also helps with relocations.

“This is either for someone moving into a new home and wanting to get started with a clean slate, or for someone preparing to move and wanting to purge the unnecessary to lighten the load for the movers,” Kim said.

Anyone interested can stop by the retail shop in Brook Highland to find all sorts of cool storage items and gadgets, as well as take a walk through the showroom and design center for great ideas on how to improve your space.

my job is a ministry because we change and save people’s lives.

When they look at me, I'm an inspiration. But I let them know I worked for this. I understand your struggle, and I will be with you through this as you struggle.”

Star said she genuinely loves what she does because she understands it. She knows what day one feels like, and she knows what it feels like to finally reach your weight loss goals. She also loves knowing that she’s helping people save their lives by investing in their health.

“It's such a huge thing to know you will change someone's life today, but that's what I do on a daily basis,” she said.

The $99 start up special won’t last long, Star said. Visit slimfitweightlossclinic.com today to invest in your health.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Brenda Meadows THE LINGERIE SHOPPE For 75 years, people have counted on The Lingerie Shoppe in Mountain Brook for the best quality merchandise and the highest level of customer service for the best price.

The business started in 1946 and offers intimate apparel and sleepwear for women, young girls and even men. When asked what keeps customers coming back after all these years, store owner Brenda Meadows said it’s because of The Lingerie Shoppe’s unique product offering.

“In the beginning, there were department stores that would carry some of the same things,” she said. “But now we offer brands and lines you can’t find elsewhere.”

Brenda goes to markets and searches for the best priced and best quality items.

She said she wants people to know that just because the shop is in Mountain Brook doesn’t mean the prices are inflated.

“I always stay within the suggested retail price,” she said. “And if it’s not good, or if something is flawed, I replace it at no charge.

We work very hard to accommodate any complaints or anything. Fortunately, that’s never been much of an issue.”

It’s a full service lingerie shop with knowledgeable employees and has services such as expert fittings. In addition to a great selection of products, Brenda said customer service is The Lingerie Shoppe’s number one goal.

“The ladies who work here are very personable and interested in helping you,” she said. “They’re all very friendly. We have to be careful about chatting people up, because sometimes we get lost in conversation and the customer might forget why they came in!” she said, laughing.

“We feel we have established friendships with folks who come into the store, and that’s really important to us. We offer a service to women when they are at their most vulnerable: when they’re buying intimate apparel.

They want something that fits them correctly,

or maybe they’ve had a mastectomy and need us to make them feel comfortable. We take that very seriously. They’ve given us their trust, and we’re very careful to honor that.”

Brenda has owned the shop since 1988, when her close friend Betty McMann heard the shop was for sale. Together they became the shop’s fifth set of owners, and Betty retired after 10 years in 1998. Brenda has been at the helm since then.

“I’m starting my 34th year,” she said. “I guess I've been here forever, but I don’t feel like I have. It's been a wonderful experience.

I’ve had generations of customers, which has been so meaningful.”

When the shop had to close during the pandemic, Brenda still came into the shop every day to answer phone calls and emails and to ship orders to local customers and across the country.

“Having customer support during that time was very meaningful to keeping the business going,” she said. “Now we’re really staying very busy. I'm very grateful for loyal customers and all of our new customers, too.”

In a time when not all businesses survived the COVID-19 pandemic, Brenda said she is feeling especially grateful to celebrate The Lingerie Shoppe’s longevity and 75 years in business.

► WHERE: 2403 Montevallo Road ► CALL: 205-871-8994 ► WEBSITE: thelingerieshoppe mtb.com

Christina Johnson THE ONIN GROUP Whether you’re looking for a place to work or you’re an employer looking for someone to fill a role, you know you want to work with a staffing company that’s focused on people.

When you enlist The Ōnin Group for help, that’s exactly what you get.

The Ōnin Group is a Birmingham-based, privately-held group of companies focused on people. Its staffing companies include Ōnin Staffing, Excelsior Staffing, A3 Solutions and Fōcus. Non-staffing ventures include Mōmentum Capital Funding, Woodhaven Custom Calls, Ōnin Properties and Pleasant Hill Timber. The Ōnin Group has been ranked by the SIA as one of the Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S. and Largest Industrial Staffing Firms in the U.S. In 2021, The Ōnin Group was recognized as the Grand Prize Winner of the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) 2021 Best Place to Work For award. The Ōnin Group was also awarded The Birmingham Business Journal's Best Place To Work in 2021.

The Ōnin Group offers competitive employee rewards. Both Ōnin’s internal employees and its contingent workers have access to comprehensive benefits that include health, dental and vision insurance, as well as life insurance and mental health counseling programs. Internal employees also have access to a leadership development program to help each employee discover and nurture their full potential.

“As a company and team, we are always striving to be better,” said Christina Johnson, Director of People & Culture at The Ōnin Group. “People produce the best results when they have all the tools they and their families need to develop their health, wealth, work and home. When you help employees transform into the best versions of themselves, they will transform not only your workplace, but the communities they work in at large.”

Values are at the heart of The Ōnin Group, and Ōnin takes pride in creating an environment where people with a heart of service thrive. Ōnin employees (called Ōninites) are encouraged to take an entrepreneurial approach to their roles, which gives talented individuals the freedom to create opportunity and empower others. By attracting service-minded Ōninites and creating a culture that promotes excellence, better service is created for contingent workers and clients alike.

The company’s core purpose is to work in local communities to create opportunities and empower people. In an effort to make the communities around themselves thrive, The Ōnin Group created the Seeds Initiative.

“The Seeds Initiative was developed to support Ōninites in planting seeds not only

► WHERE: 3800 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 300 ► CALL: 866-581-ONIN (6646) ► WEBSITE: oningroup.com

for personal growth, but in their respective communities and around the world,” the company said. “As a company, our community focus will be educational and vocational development. Examples include working

with organizations both domestically and internationally that support youth opportunities, individuals moving out of poverty and crisis situations, and minority-owned businesses through our Strategic Supplier Alliance (SSA).”

The Seeds Committee meets quarterly to review the community events and organizations that have been supported within the respected quarter. After review, the committee selects organizations in which Ōninites have made the biggest impact to award with financial support. “Ōnin wants to support you by providing easy access to opportunities in your community, as well as donating funds to organizations frequently supported by Ōninites,” the company said.

Visit oningroup.com for more information.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Tina Tyus TOWN SQUARE REALTY Home is where your story begins. For Tina Tyus, that story began at the young age of 21, when she bought her first investment property at an auction for $10,000 on her credit card.

“And it wasn’t just one credit card. It was my card, my husband’s card and if you would have given me your card, I’d have used it,” she said. “It ended up being a really, really good and very smart investment for me.”

She instantly fell in love with the process, the reward and the idea of helping her friends and family accomplish their real estate goals, so five years later she started Town Square Realty Inc. and it became the parent company of Real Estate School of Alabama, TSR Contracting and Town Square Investments. From that one seed, she has successfully owned and operated these multiple businesses for over 30 years.

Town Square Realty is a full-service real estate company with offices in both Alabama and Georgia. Tyus shares that the basis for success for each company are the same: “People before Profit,” prophetic advice she received when starting her first company.

“We focus on God’s people and trust God for our profit!” she said. The full-service real estate empire encompasses building, buying and selling commercial and residential properties, real estate education and reinvesting in communities by buying undesirable properties, renovating and reselling them.

She is also a published author of the book “So You Want to Flip Houses,” a step-by-step guide to flipping homes that include biblical life lessons.

The book started with a journal, where Tyus wrote down notes to help her two daughters, Angel and Star, if they ever wanted to enter the real estate industry. They not only loved the information but encouraged her to share it with the world. They now both play an intricate part in the success of the Town Square empire.

► WHERE: 490 Wildwood N. Circle, Suite 180, Homewood ► CALL: 205-945-4663 ► WEBSITE: townsquarehome.com

The book includes information on establishing credit, tax advantages, decorating on a budget and operating business using spiritual principles.

Her school, “Real Estate School of Alabama,” offers pre- and post-licensing for those wanting a career in real estate, as well as providing continuing education courses.

Each company under the Town Square umbrella operates using those spiritual principles. Tyus is most grateful for the ability to grant opportunities to other entrepreneurs.

“As a team member with Town Square, you sell just 12 properties and have an opportunity to receive 100% of your commission for life,” Tyus said. “It’s called ‘12 & Done.’ This is what agents generally have to work years for and open their own brokerage to accomplish.”

The big question that she is often asked is why would you make such an opportunity available?

“I love the ability to create millionaires through real estate,” she said. “Whether it’s aiding others to become real estate investors

through flipping homes or building their dreams for being a Realtor, excellence is a minimum standard for us. This is my way of giving back and leaving a legacy.”

Not only has this real estate guru been a guiding light for other entrepreneurs, but she also humbly loves the day-to-day joy of assisting families in achieving the dream of homeownership.

She recently received The Influential Women in Real Estate Award for her longevity, influence and inspiration to women in the real estate industry. She’s now a member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, she’s on the Board of Directors for

Birmingham Association of Realtors, and she will soon be serving as president for Greater Alabama MLS. She’s also currently heavily involved with the expansion of Town Square Realty Georgia, which is thriving in the sale of luxury properties. This office has the same strong commitment to excellence and service that her clients can find in Alabama.

“I am excited to see what God has next,” Tyus continued. “My prediction is that families across multiple states will be blessed because of those prophetic words that God spoke to me over 30 years ago: ‘People before Profit.’”

Elizabeth Brasher and Melanie Nichols WOMEN’S WEALTH CONNECTION The teams at WA Asset Management and Warren Averett recognize that women tend to have unique financial goals and different perspectives on things, and it helps to have a financial advisor you can relate to.

As a result, WA Asset Management and Warren Averett established Women’s Wealth Connection to serve women in Birmingham and across the Southeast.

“We really want to do two things,” said Elizabeth Brasher, practice leader for Women's Wealth Connection. “First, we aim to educate and empower women to take control of their finances. Second, we want to increase awareness of our amazing team of female financial advisors, a resource that can be hard to find in this industry. Our team is full of caring, empathetic listeners who want to learn what’s important to our clients and then give them the tools needed to help them thrive.”

Women’s Wealth Connection is led by female advisors at WA Asset Management and Warren Averett to combine the expertise of the firms’ financial, investment, tax and estate planning service areas into a specialized bundle of services tailored for women.

“We want to help all women, but most specifically women in transition,” Elizabeth said. “Women’s Wealth Connection partners with you to mitigate financial complexities as you navigate through life’s transitions such as divorce, loss of a spouse, inheritance or business changes, to help you

Elizabeth Brasher, left, and Melanie Nichols of Women's Wealth Connection

Elizabeth Brasher, J.D., CWS ► CALL: 205-747-3945 ► EMAIL: Elizabeth.Brasher @waasset.com Melanie Nichols, CFA, CFP ► CALL: 205-769-3308 ► EMAIL: Melanie.Nichols @waasset.com ► WEBSITE: waasset.com/ womenswealth

achieve your goals.”

Statistically, women often inherit twice — once from their parents and then again from their spouse, according to a study conducted by Fidelity in 2021. However, only 22% of women have a financial plan and only 37% are confident they can plan for retirement needs, despite consistently saving more than their male counterparts.

Most importantly though, 75% of women surveyed want to learn more about money and investing.

WA Asset Management saw a need and created a service line for

women to learn more about their finances from a team of dedicated advisors.

Women’s Wealth Connection stands out not only because the advisory team offers a breadth of tailored financial planning and investment management services under one umbrella, but also because many of the advisors are women themselves, they are uniquely positioned to understand what their clients are going through.

Services offered include comprehensive financial planning, asset

management, business valuation, investment education, investment management, income tax planning and budgeting, estate planning, cash flow planning, retirement planning, debt analysis, education planning and saving, insurance review, medicare and social security planning, coordinating updates of legal documents, charitable giving, trust analysis, trust administration assistance and mediation support.

Clients can request a free consultation to speak with the advisor of their choosing (in person or on

the phone) to discuss their financial needs and goals.

“From there, we can create a customized financial plan that’s just for you,” Elizabeth said. “And it doesn’t stop there, we’re here to support you and provide customized solutions at every step along the way.”

This is done through: ► A comprehensive financial planning approach through collaborative investment, tax, estate and financial planning services ► Regular communication with you ► Intimate knowledge of your personal and financial objectives ► A local and highly attentive team of advisors ► A tailored portfolio and a disciplined, data-driven approach to investing For more information about Women’s Wealth Connection or to request a complimentary assessment, visit waasset.com/womenswealth.

Women in Business SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pam Mitchell WINDOW DECOR & DESIGN What’s your dream window design for your home or office?

Does it have motorized and automated window treatments? Would you use colorful or muted tones in your fabrics?

Whatever design you’re dreaming of, Pam Mitchell at Window Decor & Design can make it happen.

Selecting new window treatments — whether they’re blinds or shutters, cordless or motorized — involves more education than most people think. Pam prides herself on providing customers with the information they need to select what is best.

“I just feel, because I’m so passionate about what I do, that when I do talk to my customers, it kind of bubbles over to them,” she said. “It needs to be a fun thing, not a stressful thing.”

When a customer hopes to purchase or change out a window treatment, Pam asks about how they want the room or space to function before determining the best option. She’ll walk them through how window treatments can protect rooms and items from sun damage, and she also explains what options are available.

To add warmth and beauty to a space, Pam recommends wood blinds. No matter what design, size, or color blinds you are looking for, Window Decor & Design has a wide variety of styles that will fit your space perfectly.

Shutters offer a refined and anchoring aspect to any space. Not only do shutters look beautiful, but they can also be easily adjusted to let in the perfect amount of light to any space.

A third option is shades, which is a simply beautiful way to add some color and light to your space. And finally there are draperies, which will make a huge

► WHERE: 5511 U.S. 280, Suite 115 ► CALL: 205-437-9575 ► WEBSITE: blindsandshuttersof birmingham.com

difference for the look and feel for your home.

Her experience and passion for interior design helps her select window treatments that fit a customer’s needs as well as offer suggestions for different spaces if the customer wants that.

At Window Decor & Design, Pam brings the showroom to your home with free in-home consultations. “Walking into a customer’s home is completely different from them coming into the showroom,” she said. “I’m able to see their space and how it functions.”

There’s something for everyone at Window Decor & Design with options for any budget. Get ready to fall in love with your home again!

Thank you to all of our 2022 Women in Business participants!