Women in Business outstanding

Steps to Success: How local women turned passions into profit

Finding your “True North” doesn’t always come easy. But the thriving businesses of the successful local women profiled in this section indicate that they’ve done just that. And now, they’re sharing the risks that they took to turn their passions into profit.

For Roundtree Landscaping owner Johnette Taylor and White Rock North School Principal Amy Adams, sticking to what brings personal joy, having a good team, and emulating role models and mentors have been the fuel for success.

Taylor says that following her love for the outdoors led her to grow her own company.

“I knew I wanted to do something that was more outdoors-oriented,” she says. “I thought being a forest ranger would be great, but my Mom thought I was too social and it wouldn’t be a good fit. When a friend told me about landscape architecture I was immediately hooked.”

But Taylor says that Roundtree Landscaping’s success hasn’t been all about her.

In 1992, Amy Adams brought her Masters degree and her love of children to White Rock North School. Her parents, Mary and John Adams, founded the school in 1964 and Amy attended this unique school, just as her own four children did, through the 6th grade. Amy, a 1987 Lake Highlands High School graduate returned from Baylor and brought with her a unique philosophy of education that values the importance of being a child. “I believe kids should work hard and play hard, but our students are definitely embracing a progressive education environment. All students, Kindergarten and older have tablets they use daily, blog with their teachers and definitely love their BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) time! On the flip side, the students work and harvest food from the school’s Outdoor Learning Center that the school chef then prepares for their meals!

“At White Rock North, we believe it is possible to balance working hard for an education with time to breathe.”

“All businesses need a good team of staff and finding the right people can be a challenge at first. We are particular about who we hire, making sure they fit our company culture and will take excellent care of our clients,” she says.

“And we work as a team so that the client gets the expertise of our whole staff on a project, not just one person.”

Mentors have helped her get where she is today, Taylor says. “Having someone to bounce an idea off of really helps you stay on track.”

Helping people realize their dreams, and sometimes even more, has been rewarding for Roundtree Landscaping owner Johnette Taylor.

“Many times clients can’t even imagine what their yard can look like. It changes people by giving them an extension of their home. I feel like I get to share that love of the outdoors I have with others that way coupled with my knowledge, experience and creativity,” Taylor says.

Amy Adams, White Rock North Principal, knew that she wanted to be a principal ever since she was five years old. Her current position is the exact fulfillment of that dream.

“I attended White Rock North as a child. At the time, both of my parents were the principals and I am so thankful for their example,” Adams says. “Without that, I would not be the success that I am today.

“One of the most rewarding parts about my job is getting visits from students, both past and present,” Adams says.

Adams continues to find fulfillment in steering White Rock North School forward with progressive education, while still maintaining core values.

“At White Rock North kids use tablets in the classroom, but they also get to garden and tend chickens. We are focused on educating the child in so many different ways, and I love being a part of that.”

Pediatric dentist Dr. Diane Colter, owner of All About Kids Dentistry on Preston at Forest, says that her specialized focus on kids is the most meaningful to her.

“Parents know that we’re going to focus on what’s important to look at with their child, as opposed to

Dr. Roberts offers a fully-equipped IN-OFFICE LASER SUITE, with all lasers on site, where she performs laser surgery daily. In addition to laser surgery for adults and children, she also specializes in COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, including skin rejuvenation, Botox, and “fillers”.

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• Botox Injections

• Mega Peel Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels

• Juvéderm, Voluma the overall population, pediatric and adult,” she says.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re a new patient coming into the office, or if they’ve been with us more than five years. We block out that time and make sure that we address their issues.”

Dr. Colter sees education as part of the added value that she can provide her patients.

“Because we are strictly a specialty, we can educate parents and the child, depending on their age, on what’s best for them. We can set guidelines for healthy snacks and help reinforce the choices that will result in less dental work in a patient’s lifetime.”

Kevin Caskey, Dallas City Center, thinks the women in his office have an edge in the market.

“Many women have the patience that it takes to assist clients with the ups and downs of real estate transactions. You really have to have a sympathetic ear to help them through the process.”

Caskey says that the quality of women he works with inspires him everyday. “I’m proud to say that we attract customer loyalty because of the relationships that our knowledgeable female agents build with clients,” he says. “It is rewarding to know that these women help people realize their dreams.” So how do these women enjoy the fruits of their labors?

For White Rock North’s Adams, balance is great in theory, but it’s a challenge.

“Let’s be honest, having four of my own kids plus 375 kids at White Rock North, I have to work pretty hard at separating my worlds,” Adams says.

When home and work life do get hectic for Roundtree’s Taylor, she tries to leave work at work and home and home.

“Being a small business owner and working in people’s homes, we can’t just turn everything off at the end of the day or week,” she says.

“I find what works best for me to take time away from work on a regular basis to relax and recharge, and I’m better for it.” ◆

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