Women In Business - October 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Women In Business

2

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

"I WAS TIRED OF LIVING WITH MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN." Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand. UNTIL NOW! Acupuncturists Berry and Amara provide patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

If you're suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well. Local resident Elyse K. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

It's characterized by widespread pain in muscles, and tissues rather than inflammation of the joints muscles and tissues.

Then Acupuncturists Berry and Amara skillfully layer other non invasive therapies like ATP Resonance BioTherapy and 03 Regenerative Therapy for amplified long-lasting results.

TM

TM

Then your primary care doctors suggest dietary changes, pain "I feel like a new person. My "I was angry all the time because of liniments and prescription medications husband comes with me to my to the point where your life is no longer all the things I couldn't do anymore appointments. He spends most of his because of my Fibromyalgia. That ruled by Fibromyalgia. It's now ruled by time thanking the Acupuncturists for a difficult routine and pill regimen anger cycled through to depression giving him back the woman he that are supposed to aid in avoiding and affected everyone around me, flare ups. married. And for the first time since my husband more than anyone. we moved here, one of my neighbors It made our lives miserable." told me I looked good! It's a miracle Elyse put it this way, they treated my Fibro, I don't know "My life was no longer my own."

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body. how else to explain it."

Eventually Elyse did her own research To make things complicated, those and discovered that acupuncture can If you're looking for a practice who not affects can change on a daily basis. improve the quality of life in Fibro only understands your diagnosis but Sometimes you're plagued with widepatients. Determined to find the best also has a proven solution for chronic spread muscle pain and fatigue, and in the business, she discovered pain, look no further than other days it's a headache and a Acupuncture Medical Center, lead by Acupuncture Medical Center. heightened sensitivity to touch.

Acupuncturist sisters Amara Franko Heller and Berry Franko.

Elyse describes the clinic almost as "I could barely stand to have the enthusiastically as does their light weight of bedsheets touching Berry and Amara have been successtreatments. "I love it here!" me, much less a hug from my fully treating difficult to manage, husband." explains Elyse. chronic pain cases for over a decade.

Additional information about Berry L.Ac. and Amara L.Ac., and their various This is what it's like to suffer from They use the time tested science of treatments as well as success stories acupuncture and integrate it with Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make can be found by visiting www. modern medical advancements that everyday life incredibly difficult.

AcuMedCenterVA.com. encourage healing and recovery.

Mundane, daily tasks are nearly Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Acupuncture Medical Center is now impossible. medicine that is commonly used to accepting new patients but only for a reduce various forms of pain.

And too often, these symptoms are limited time. In an effort to protect their patients, both current and future, only made worse because Acupuncture works by reducing they have made the difficult decision practitioners find it difficult to inflammation, stimulating the release to limit the number of patients seen in understand and even more of endorphins and offers much needed their clinic. So call (540) 217-2783 now troublesome to treat. effective symptom relief for Fibro. to schedule a consultation.

Visit www.AcuMedCenterVA.com or call (540) 217-2783 to learn more or to take advantage of their NEW PATIENT OFFER!

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday October 18, 2023

3

Authenticity: The Story Of Vada Kelley And Estland

BY RICHARD H. HRONIK III Daily News-Record

Harrisonburg local Vada Kelley has been owning and operating Estland, her marketing firm, in the Friendly City for almost 20 years.

Kelley provided insight on how she built the company, and how she helps her employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves at Estland.

“I grew up here and went to Spotswood High School,” Kelley began. “Stuck around, went to JMU, got a degree in studio art, BFA. And when I got out, I couldn’t really find a great graphic design position.”

Kelley explained that, while she did get some offers, none of them were satisfactory, so she waited tables and did freelance graphic design work until the right opportunity presented itself. And eventually, it did.

“I ran a sign shop with a group of maybe six people for two years and just got more into designing marketing and branding for a lot of the businesses that went into the sign shop,” Kelley said. “And then Estland was born.”

Kelley founded Estland in 2004, though at the time, she said, it was just an LLC. She was the only employee.

“All of the business aspects of what I was doing out of it was just me,” she explained. “I was doing a lot of branding. A lot of you, name it — logos, brochures, annual reports, anything a small business would need. And, this is back in 2004. So very quickly I realized, well, people need good websites.”

Kelley said that once she found her market, the only way to go was up. She partnered with another freelancer and added website building to Estland’s offerings.

“The foundation of who I am is a storyteller,” Kelley added. “But I learned advertising and then I started running ads for folks.”

It was as she entered the world of marketing, Kelley said, that she truly gained

an appreciation for what marketing was.

“When I was first doing this, I was just out of school, so I was in my twenties, and I just always looked at sales as this negative environment,” Kelley explained. “The term sales to me was like, somebody’s trying to do manipulate you, right? It felt like that. And then I shifted my impression of it based on what I was witnessing in the real world. But then I started to really form relationships with other businesses and business owners and realized that we’re all out here trying to solve the world’s problems.”

It wasn’t until more recently, Kelley explained, that she decided to expand her business.

“I decided after I got married and had my first kid about seven years ago, you know what? I’m going to expand this and grow a team,” Kelley said. “And then I grew, we are 14 people now and growing.”

Now, Kelley said, approximately half of Estland’s work is for customers outside of Virginia, while the other half is still in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This mix, she said, ensured minimal impact to their business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contributed Photo

See KELLEY, Page 6 Vada Kelley (left) with Estland employee Mary Snow.

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4

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Power Of Intergenerational Networks For Women At Work

I

’m a young woman in the business of newspapers.

I have relied on networks of both men and women to get to where I am in my career.

For women who wish to improve their lives — personally and professionally — it’s time to take a look at your networks and who is in them.

It was the men in my life: my uncle GarJillian land, my father, my older brothers JonaLynch than and Brian, my parents’ friends from Managing Editor high school Dave and Danny Brooks, my first boss Jim Sacco, my uncle Rick who gave me the confidence to succeed and encouraged me the most early in my life and career. They have

fostered my confidence in myself, by believing in me.

I have some very dear women friends and mentors who have encouraged me the most. They understand my problems, they are empathetic even if they haven’t gone through the same thing, and they offer endless support. They’ve taught me to treat others the same — especially my mom; Kristin, my sister; my grandmother Inge; my friends Halee Jones and Tania Parrales; the women of the Shenandoah Valley Young Professionals; Allison Dugan, Lisa SchmidZiegler, Arletta Clutteur and many more women.

These women come from multiple generations; they are nothing but encouraging to me. Meeting these women is something I am most proud of and grateful for in my life.

The power of being in a group of women from different generations was shown to me when I was invited to an

Celebrating Women Owned Business!

International Women’s Day celebration hosted by Sally Cowal, the owner of Muse Vineyards; and organized by Brenda Bowman, a women’s advocacy expert, earlier this year. Women of all ages, from me, in my early twenties, to long-retired educators and diplomats gathered for conversation and the best glass of sparkling wine I’ve ever had.

We had the gorgeous, beautifully decorated tasting room to ourselves, chairs formed into a circle around a coffee table with charcuterie boards and glasses of wine provided by Sally; with a warm fire crackling just behind us.

This conversation changed my perspective in so many ways. Women born just a couple of decades before me lived entirely different working lives. The expectations placed on them have changed.

During the conversation Brenda facilitated, she encouraged us to offer ways we could help one another, women from generation to generation.

The generosity of the women who were older than me, to give without expecting anything in return and to share their advice and stories and answer my questions is something I am eager to pay forward.

I shared about my grandmother Inge, a wickedly smart woman with a sharp wit. When she was alive, she could always be found reading a paperback novel or doing the L.A. Times crossword puzzle. She quit smoking from sheer willpower. She once was hit over the head with an umbrella in her eighties, head gushing blood, she still had a sassy remark for my mom when we got to the hospital.

She worked as a first-grade teacher for most of her career. My mother says students called the principal of the school to request not to be in my grandmother’s class. I often wondered what made her seem so cranky in life, and I honestly think her career wasn’t right for her but was perhaps one of few career options available to women at the time; also allowing her to provide for her five children.

It makes me thank God for the opportunities and choices I have. Teaching is a wonderful trade — this is not to say that it is an easy job or does not require a great deal of intellect. It’s just, maybe my grandmother would have been fulfilled from a career as a litigator, a chef; a corporate exec — to match her style.

See NETWORKS, Page 7

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday October 18, 2023

5

Time-Tested Tips For Women In Business

BY VADA KELLEY

For The Daily News-Record I won’t sugarcoat it; being a woman in business can be challenging.

Women fill over 50% of all American jobs but only about a quarter of all management and leadership positions. Women face tremendous obstacles based on gender biases, caregiving challenges and mixed messages.

It can often feel like walking a razor-thin wire of double standards. Be confident but not aggressive. Be decisive but not bossy. Be empathetic but not a pushover. See where I’m going?

Society can be slow to change, but as the Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen stated in a 2017 speech, “If these obstacles persist, we will squander the potential of many of our citizens and incur a substantial loss to the productive capacity of our

economy…”

By supporting women in the workplace, we can improve our communities and boost the economy, which is a boon for everyone.

There have been highs and lows throughout my journey in the business world, but each step has been a learning opportunity. Here are some nuggets of wisdom I’ve gained that any woman (or man) can take with them into their place of work to help them thrive both personally and professionally.

Authenticity Matters It can be tempting to “fake it till you make it,” but I’ve always found it better to be honest with myself, my coworkers and my clients. Be yourself, regardless of stereotypes or expectations.

Believe in your abilities because self-assurance is conta-

gious and earns respect. Authenticity is a powerful business tool and fosters genuine connections and trust.

Establish A Support System Build professional and personal relationships mutually beneficial to everyone involved. These people are your cheerleaders and will inspire and support you. Network with other business leaders and seek out mentors who can provide guidance based on their experiences. These people will encourage you during tough times and celebrate with you during the good times.

Never Stop Learning Stay curious and keep learning because education is the foundation of long-lasting careers. Take risks and learn from

Celebrating Women Owned Businesses

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mistakes and setbacks — they are stepping stones to success.

Whether it’s keeping updated on industry trends or acquiring new skills, this commitment to growth has been instrumental in my success.

Set Goals & Stay Persistent Defining clear goals and determining how you reach them can keep you focused and driven. Persistence is key; never give up on your dreams, and remember that success often comes to those who persevere.

Pay It Forward Businesses and individuals thrive when we support and advocate for each other. Gender equality and inclusivity are more than just buzzwords; they lie at the heart of better business environments for every-

one. Give back to your community. Mentor and support other women because when women succeed, communities thrive.

I want to emphasize that being a woman in business is a journey filled with opportunities for growth and success.

I’m optimistic about the future and the incredible potential that women hold in shaping the business world. So, to all the aspiring women out there, believe in yourselves, be resilient, and keep pushing forward. You have the power to achieve your goals and make a significant impact in your community.

Vada Kelley is the founder, owner and CEO of Estland, a full-scale marketing firm headquartered in Harrisonburg that uses powerful storytelling to leverage its clients’ businesses to the next level.

Celebrating Shenandoah’s Valley’s Women in Business Angela Started as a Manager at the East Market Location, then became the Operations manager over all locations, and eventually brought Mr. J’s Bagels & Deli from the original owners

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6

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Kelley

From Page 3

Today, Kelley says she tries to make Estland be a business she would want to work at as an employee.

“My ethos is built on treating others the way you would want to be treated,” she explained. “I know that that’s maybe the cliche, kind of trite to this golden rule, but at the same time, that’s sort of the foundation of how I operate and make all of my decisions.”

Kelley, who is a mother of two, said she understands how highly women value work-life balance.

“Women in the workforce, many are hit with trying to balance work and life,” she said. “You have to create a work environment for folks where they can thrive and be happy. And when they can thrive and be happy, and they’re doing their passion, they stay and they enjoy life.”

To achieve this, Kelley said she allows her employees to have flexibility in their work-life scheduling to take care of their children, picking them up from the school bus and taking care of them Contributed Photo when they are sick. Some days, Kelley said there is only one employee in the office with her, while other employees Vada Kelley and the Estland team. From left to right: Mary Snow, Lindsey Kelly, John Vaughan, Vada Kelley, Austin Raines, Johnathan Simpson, Kaitlin work from home.

Kelley also touched on her struggles Pomerleau, Hunter Davis.

I am honored to be a part of this amazing group of women.

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with being an LGBTQ+ woman in business.

“It’s hard to be a woman in business,” she exlained. “And then on top of that, being in the LGBTQ community, I think, was a mental obstacle for me for a long time. But it doesn’t have to be.”

However, Kelley says overcoming this block, to be her true self in her business, was key to her success.

“If you aren’t authentic in marketing, and if you aren’t authentic in business, you don’t do as well. If you’re trying to be someone you’re not, you don’t do so well. There may be people that are turned off by your authentic self in any aspect, but when you are authentic in yourself, you are happier. And when you’re happier, you will attract more positivity into your life, into your work, into everything that you’re doing.”

Kelley said she now encourages her employees to be their authentic selves by being a positive example at Estland.

One final key to success, Kelley said, was perseverance and grit.

“There’s a TED talk that I really liked,” she said, “about the fundamental difference between successful and unsuccessful people. And it was this idea that grit was really it. So it didn’t go back to IQ or knowledge. It was this sense of tenacity and grit and just not giving up and just keep proceeding forward. And that really resonated with me.”

Now, Kelley says that one of her goals is to continue to help people be their authentic selves.

“I feel like I need to continue to be an advocate and make a place for people who have differences to feel like they can work,” she explained. “That’s important.

That’s important to me because differences are beautiful.”

For more information on Estland, visit https://estland.us/.

Contact Richard H. Hronik III at rhronik@dnronline. com, 540-208-3278, or on Twitter @rhronikDNR

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Networks

From Page 4

Meeting those women at Muse Vineyards was a wonderful time to reflect on where we all have come. It is a collective journey for women in the workplace and in society; each making some progress toward equity and teaching the next generation to be even bolder. We are all in this together, and women must stick together.

We are lucky for where we come from.

We have to continue to meet, to talk, to mentor one another.

Once, James Madison University hosted three women in the corporate world for a moderated discussion on women in the workplace. They were absolute all-stars and I learned much. But the most meaningful part for me was who I sat next to.

By chance, I sat down next to Jamie Jones Miller, a JMU alumna who works in D.C. and is also married to JMU’s Tim Miller, director of student affairs. I did not know her at the time, but she and I chatted a bit, she gave me her card and added me to a networking group she had for students in political science and related disciplines.

She didn’t have to do that, let alone speak to me. I got not only opportunities from her emails, but also the sense that she cared about and was invested in my success. It was an amazing and generous thing to do and shaped how I live my own life.

It’s important for groups of women to uplift one another. Some people in society want women to tear each other down, but the most successful and happy women I know support each other and everyone feels good about it. That’s my dream for the next generation, is to keep that momentum going.

Cheers to all women in the workplace!

Wednesday October 18, 2023

7

Young Photographer Builds Successful Business

BY HARLEIGH CUPP Daily News-Record

Sydney Kane is what she would consider a half-time portrait and wedding photographer and half-time world traveler, but the occupation in which the young photographer and James Madison University graduate has found success isn’t quite the occupation she went to school for.

While Kane was born in southern California, she moved with her family to Arlington when she was about to enter fourth grade and has been a resident of the Commonwealth ever since — a place where her interest and practice in digital photography has developed.

“Growing up,” Kane said, “my brother and I were really into playing sports, and my dad wanted to get better photos of us [on the field], so he got really into sports photography.”

Kane started picking up a point and shoot camera and learned alongside him.

Eventually, her dad was able to start his own sports photography side-business in northern Virginia and as his list of bookings grew longer and longer, Kane would pick up a few games to photograph for him.

At Yorktown High School, Kane took several photo classes where she learned the basics of photography from a technical standpoint and was introduced to portrait photography as well — which she immediately found she enjoyed and had the potential to be turned into a business of her own.

Kane first fell in love with Harrisonburg and the surrounding area when she arrived to the city to start classes at JMU. And the fall of her freshman year, she gathered as many friends and hall mates as she could to practice taking portraits in her new home.

That spring, Kane started charging for her photo services and “hasn’t looked back.”

As a sophomore, she added weddings to her portfolio and made invaluable connections with other local photographers.

“I was so busy,” Kane said, “but I spent every spare second learning how to build

my business and make it better.”

It seemed she was made to be a professional photographer, she explained, but all the while she was still studying for a degree in education. She planned to work full-time as a teacher and could use photography as a side income. COVID, however, changed all that — and perhaps for the better.

Kane started student teaching during her last year when public school was virtual. She said being an educator just didn’t have the same appeal as it did before. Plus, she noticed she was already making more than enough money to sustain herself, and it was photography that was her greatest passion anyway.

She stuck her schooling out and earned her degree, but that diploma will have to sit on the shelf because at just 25 years old Kane is now a completely self-employed photographer and she couldn’t be happier, she said — especially since she’s able to fulfill her travel goals too.

“Working really hard [during an ‘on’ season] allows me to travel for months at a time,” Kane said.

In June 2022, Kane flew to Europe to embark on a backpacking trip that brought her back to the states in March of this year.

After shooting some special spring ses-

sions, Kane climbed in her car and spent the entire summer camping across the country.

In August, Kane settled back into Harrisonburg — just in time for a portrait and wedding photographer’s “busy season” — and is already making plans to pack her suitcase when photo sessions settle down for the winter.

When shooting, Kane feels most at home in Shenandoah National Park where some of her favorite engagement and elopements have taken place and her primary camera is a Canon Eos 5D Mark IV outfitted with lots of different lenses.

She contributed much of her success to “being insanely dedicated” and a “sheer desire” to work for herself and earn her own freedom as a business owner.

“Photography is a great skill to have for life in general,” Kane remarked, “but being there for everyone else’s big moments [makes] my job so happy at all times. I’m with people when they’re celebrating their college graduation with their parents and I’m with [other] people as somebody proposes and I get to be the one who jumps out of a bush and is the first to congratulate them. It’s just such a happy, happy job, and that’s what keeps me going.”

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Women In Business

2

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

"I WAS TIRED OF LIVING WITH MY FIBROMYALGIA PAIN." Fibromyalgia has been difficult to treat and even more difficult to understand. UNTIL NOW! Acupuncturists Berry and Amara provide patients with much needed relief from Fibro symptoms!

If you're suffering from Fibromyalgia you understand this sentiment all too well. Local resident Elyse K. found herself at a turning point when she noticed her diagnosis had started to take a toll on her marriage.

It's characterized by widespread pain in muscles, and tissues rather than inflammation of the joints muscles and tissues.

Then Acupuncturists Berry and Amara skillfully layer other non invasive therapies like ATP Resonance BioTherapy and 03 Regenerative Therapy for amplified long-lasting results.

TM

TM

Then your primary care doctors suggest dietary changes, pain "I feel like a new person. My "I was angry all the time because of liniments and prescription medications husband comes with me to my to the point where your life is no longer all the things I couldn't do anymore appointments. He spends most of his because of my Fibromyalgia. That ruled by Fibromyalgia. It's now ruled by time thanking the Acupuncturists for a difficult routine and pill regimen anger cycled through to depression giving him back the woman he that are supposed to aid in avoiding and affected everyone around me, flare ups. married. And for the first time since my husband more than anyone. we moved here, one of my neighbors It made our lives miserable." told me I looked good! It's a miracle Elyse put it this way, they treated my Fibro, I don't know "My life was no longer my own."

Fibromyalgia affects the entire body. how else to explain it."

Eventually Elyse did her own research To make things complicated, those and discovered that acupuncture can If you're looking for a practice who not affects can change on a daily basis. improve the quality of life in Fibro only understands your diagnosis but Sometimes you're plagued with widepatients. Determined to find the best also has a proven solution for chronic spread muscle pain and fatigue, and in the business, she discovered pain, look no further than other days it's a headache and a Acupuncture Medical Center, lead by Acupuncture Medical Center. heightened sensitivity to touch.

Acupuncturist sisters Amara Franko Heller and Berry Franko.

Elyse describes the clinic almost as "I could barely stand to have the enthusiastically as does their light weight of bedsheets touching Berry and Amara have been successtreatments. "I love it here!" me, much less a hug from my fully treating difficult to manage, husband." explains Elyse. chronic pain cases for over a decade.

Additional information about Berry L.Ac. and Amara L.Ac., and their various This is what it's like to suffer from They use the time tested science of treatments as well as success stories acupuncture and integrate it with Fibromyalgia. Symptoms make can be found by visiting www. modern medical advancements that everyday life incredibly difficult.

AcuMedCenterVA.com. encourage healing and recovery.

Mundane, daily tasks are nearly Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Acupuncture Medical Center is now impossible. medicine that is commonly used to accepting new patients but only for a reduce various forms of pain.

And too often, these symptoms are limited time. In an effort to protect their patients, both current and future, only made worse because Acupuncture works by reducing they have made the difficult decision practitioners find it difficult to inflammation, stimulating the release to limit the number of patients seen in understand and even more of endorphins and offers much needed their clinic. So call (540) 217-2783 now troublesome to treat. effective symptom relief for Fibro. to schedule a consultation.

Visit www.AcuMedCenterVA.com or call (540) 217-2783 to learn more or to take advantage of their NEW PATIENT OFFER!

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday October 18, 2023

3

Authenticity: The Story Of Vada Kelley And Estland

BY RICHARD H. HRONIK III Daily News-Record

Harrisonburg local Vada Kelley has been owning and operating Estland, her marketing firm, in the Friendly City for almost 20 years.

Kelley provided insight on how she built the company, and how she helps her employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves at Estland.

“I grew up here and went to Spotswood High School,” Kelley began. “Stuck around, went to JMU, got a degree in studio art, BFA. And when I got out, I couldn’t really find a great graphic design position.”

Kelley explained that, while she did get some offers, none of them were satisfactory, so she waited tables and did freelance graphic design work until the right opportunity presented itself. And eventually, it did.

“I ran a sign shop with a group of maybe six people for two years and just got more into designing marketing and branding for a lot of the businesses that went into the sign shop,” Kelley said. “And then Estland was born.”

Kelley founded Estland in 2004, though at the time, she said, it was just an LLC. She was the only employee.

“All of the business aspects of what I was doing out of it was just me,” she explained. “I was doing a lot of branding. A lot of you, name it — logos, brochures, annual reports, anything a small business would need. And, this is back in 2004. So very quickly I realized, well, people need good websites.”

Kelley said that once she found her market, the only way to go was up. She partnered with another freelancer and added website building to Estland’s offerings.

“The foundation of who I am is a storyteller,” Kelley added. “But I learned advertising and then I started running ads for folks.”

It was as she entered the world of marketing, Kelley said, that she truly gained

an appreciation for what marketing was.

“When I was first doing this, I was just out of school, so I was in my twenties, and I just always looked at sales as this negative environment,” Kelley explained. “The term sales to me was like, somebody’s trying to do manipulate you, right? It felt like that. And then I shifted my impression of it based on what I was witnessing in the real world. But then I started to really form relationships with other businesses and business owners and realized that we’re all out here trying to solve the world’s problems.”

It wasn’t until more recently, Kelley explained, that she decided to expand her business.

“I decided after I got married and had my first kid about seven years ago, you know what? I’m going to expand this and grow a team,” Kelley said. “And then I grew, we are 14 people now and growing.”

Now, Kelley said, approximately half of Estland’s work is for customers outside of Virginia, while the other half is still in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. This mix, she said, ensured minimal impact to their business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contributed Photo

See KELLEY, Page 6 Vada Kelley (left) with Estland employee Mary Snow.

Celebrating Women in Business

New Location 221 Main Street, Dayton, VA 22821 HOURS: Closed - Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Open Wednesday- Saturday 10-5

Women in Business The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work!

Joann Campbell has successfully run JJ’s Soft Serve for 40 years!

Monday-Saturday 11AM - 9PM Sunday 12:30PM - 9PM 173 McCauley Drive, Timberville Born & raised in the Shenandoah Shen n Valley, this mother + daughter entrepreneur team have been sty styling women since 2018 with trendy and size inclusive fashion. Come visit one or both of our local store loca�ons!

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Power Of Intergenerational Networks For Women At Work

I

’m a young woman in the business of newspapers.

I have relied on networks of both men and women to get to where I am in my career.

For women who wish to improve their lives — personally and professionally — it’s time to take a look at your networks and who is in them.

It was the men in my life: my uncle GarJillian land, my father, my older brothers JonaLynch than and Brian, my parents’ friends from Managing Editor high school Dave and Danny Brooks, my first boss Jim Sacco, my uncle Rick who gave me the confidence to succeed and encouraged me the most early in my life and career. They have

fostered my confidence in myself, by believing in me.

I have some very dear women friends and mentors who have encouraged me the most. They understand my problems, they are empathetic even if they haven’t gone through the same thing, and they offer endless support. They’ve taught me to treat others the same — especially my mom; Kristin, my sister; my grandmother Inge; my friends Halee Jones and Tania Parrales; the women of the Shenandoah Valley Young Professionals; Allison Dugan, Lisa SchmidZiegler, Arletta Clutteur and many more women.

These women come from multiple generations; they are nothing but encouraging to me. Meeting these women is something I am most proud of and grateful for in my life.

The power of being in a group of women from different generations was shown to me when I was invited to an

Celebrating Women Owned Business!

International Women’s Day celebration hosted by Sally Cowal, the owner of Muse Vineyards; and organized by Brenda Bowman, a women’s advocacy expert, earlier this year. Women of all ages, from me, in my early twenties, to long-retired educators and diplomats gathered for conversation and the best glass of sparkling wine I’ve ever had.

We had the gorgeous, beautifully decorated tasting room to ourselves, chairs formed into a circle around a coffee table with charcuterie boards and glasses of wine provided by Sally; with a warm fire crackling just behind us.

This conversation changed my perspective in so many ways. Women born just a couple of decades before me lived entirely different working lives. The expectations placed on them have changed.

During the conversation Brenda facilitated, she encouraged us to offer ways we could help one another, women from generation to generation.

The generosity of the women who were older than me, to give without expecting anything in return and to share their advice and stories and answer my questions is something I am eager to pay forward.

I shared about my grandmother Inge, a wickedly smart woman with a sharp wit. When she was alive, she could always be found reading a paperback novel or doing the L.A. Times crossword puzzle. She quit smoking from sheer willpower. She once was hit over the head with an umbrella in her eighties, head gushing blood, she still had a sassy remark for my mom when we got to the hospital.

She worked as a first-grade teacher for most of her career. My mother says students called the principal of the school to request not to be in my grandmother’s class. I often wondered what made her seem so cranky in life, and I honestly think her career wasn’t right for her but was perhaps one of few career options available to women at the time; also allowing her to provide for her five children.

It makes me thank God for the opportunities and choices I have. Teaching is a wonderful trade — this is not to say that it is an easy job or does not require a great deal of intellect. It’s just, maybe my grandmother would have been fulfilled from a career as a litigator, a chef; a corporate exec — to match her style.

See NETWORKS, Page 7

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Wednesday October 18, 2023

5

Time-Tested Tips For Women In Business

BY VADA KELLEY

For The Daily News-Record I won’t sugarcoat it; being a woman in business can be challenging.

Women fill over 50% of all American jobs but only about a quarter of all management and leadership positions. Women face tremendous obstacles based on gender biases, caregiving challenges and mixed messages.

It can often feel like walking a razor-thin wire of double standards. Be confident but not aggressive. Be decisive but not bossy. Be empathetic but not a pushover. See where I’m going?

Society can be slow to change, but as the Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen stated in a 2017 speech, “If these obstacles persist, we will squander the potential of many of our citizens and incur a substantial loss to the productive capacity of our

economy…”

By supporting women in the workplace, we can improve our communities and boost the economy, which is a boon for everyone.

There have been highs and lows throughout my journey in the business world, but each step has been a learning opportunity. Here are some nuggets of wisdom I’ve gained that any woman (or man) can take with them into their place of work to help them thrive both personally and professionally.

Authenticity Matters It can be tempting to “fake it till you make it,” but I’ve always found it better to be honest with myself, my coworkers and my clients. Be yourself, regardless of stereotypes or expectations.

Believe in your abilities because self-assurance is conta-

gious and earns respect. Authenticity is a powerful business tool and fosters genuine connections and trust.

Establish A Support System Build professional and personal relationships mutually beneficial to everyone involved. These people are your cheerleaders and will inspire and support you. Network with other business leaders and seek out mentors who can provide guidance based on their experiences. These people will encourage you during tough times and celebrate with you during the good times.

Never Stop Learning Stay curious and keep learning because education is the foundation of long-lasting careers. Take risks and learn from

Celebrating Women Owned Businesses

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mistakes and setbacks — they are stepping stones to success.

Whether it’s keeping updated on industry trends or acquiring new skills, this commitment to growth has been instrumental in my success.

Set Goals & Stay Persistent Defining clear goals and determining how you reach them can keep you focused and driven. Persistence is key; never give up on your dreams, and remember that success often comes to those who persevere.

Pay It Forward Businesses and individuals thrive when we support and advocate for each other. Gender equality and inclusivity are more than just buzzwords; they lie at the heart of better business environments for every-

one. Give back to your community. Mentor and support other women because when women succeed, communities thrive.

I want to emphasize that being a woman in business is a journey filled with opportunities for growth and success.

I’m optimistic about the future and the incredible potential that women hold in shaping the business world. So, to all the aspiring women out there, believe in yourselves, be resilient, and keep pushing forward. You have the power to achieve your goals and make a significant impact in your community.

Vada Kelley is the founder, owner and CEO of Estland, a full-scale marketing firm headquartered in Harrisonburg that uses powerful storytelling to leverage its clients’ businesses to the next level.

Celebrating Shenandoah’s Valley’s Women in Business Angela Started as a Manager at the East Market Location, then became the Operations manager over all locations, and eventually brought Mr. J’s Bagels & Deli from the original owners

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Kelley

From Page 3

Today, Kelley says she tries to make Estland be a business she would want to work at as an employee.

“My ethos is built on treating others the way you would want to be treated,” she explained. “I know that that’s maybe the cliche, kind of trite to this golden rule, but at the same time, that’s sort of the foundation of how I operate and make all of my decisions.”

Kelley, who is a mother of two, said she understands how highly women value work-life balance.

“Women in the workforce, many are hit with trying to balance work and life,” she said. “You have to create a work environment for folks where they can thrive and be happy. And when they can thrive and be happy, and they’re doing their passion, they stay and they enjoy life.”

To achieve this, Kelley said she allows her employees to have flexibility in their work-life scheduling to take care of their children, picking them up from the school bus and taking care of them Contributed Photo when they are sick. Some days, Kelley said there is only one employee in the office with her, while other employees Vada Kelley and the Estland team. From left to right: Mary Snow, Lindsey Kelly, John Vaughan, Vada Kelley, Austin Raines, Johnathan Simpson, Kaitlin work from home.

Kelley also touched on her struggles Pomerleau, Hunter Davis.

I am honored to be a part of this amazing group of women.

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with being an LGBTQ+ woman in business.

“It’s hard to be a woman in business,” she exlained. “And then on top of that, being in the LGBTQ community, I think, was a mental obstacle for me for a long time. But it doesn’t have to be.”

However, Kelley says overcoming this block, to be her true self in her business, was key to her success.

“If you aren’t authentic in marketing, and if you aren’t authentic in business, you don’t do as well. If you’re trying to be someone you’re not, you don’t do so well. There may be people that are turned off by your authentic self in any aspect, but when you are authentic in yourself, you are happier. And when you’re happier, you will attract more positivity into your life, into your work, into everything that you’re doing.”

Kelley said she now encourages her employees to be their authentic selves by being a positive example at Estland.

One final key to success, Kelley said, was perseverance and grit.

“There’s a TED talk that I really liked,” she said, “about the fundamental difference between successful and unsuccessful people. And it was this idea that grit was really it. So it didn’t go back to IQ or knowledge. It was this sense of tenacity and grit and just not giving up and just keep proceeding forward. And that really resonated with me.”

Now, Kelley says that one of her goals is to continue to help people be their authentic selves.

“I feel like I need to continue to be an advocate and make a place for people who have differences to feel like they can work,” she explained. “That’s important.

That’s important to me because differences are beautiful.”

For more information on Estland, visit https://estland.us/.

Contact Richard H. Hronik III at rhronik@dnronline. com, 540-208-3278, or on Twitter @rhronikDNR

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Networks

From Page 4

Meeting those women at Muse Vineyards was a wonderful time to reflect on where we all have come. It is a collective journey for women in the workplace and in society; each making some progress toward equity and teaching the next generation to be even bolder. We are all in this together, and women must stick together.

We are lucky for where we come from.

We have to continue to meet, to talk, to mentor one another.

Once, James Madison University hosted three women in the corporate world for a moderated discussion on women in the workplace. They were absolute all-stars and I learned much. But the most meaningful part for me was who I sat next to.

By chance, I sat down next to Jamie Jones Miller, a JMU alumna who works in D.C. and is also married to JMU’s Tim Miller, director of student affairs. I did not know her at the time, but she and I chatted a bit, she gave me her card and added me to a networking group she had for students in political science and related disciplines.

She didn’t have to do that, let alone speak to me. I got not only opportunities from her emails, but also the sense that she cared about and was invested in my success. It was an amazing and generous thing to do and shaped how I live my own life.

It’s important for groups of women to uplift one another. Some people in society want women to tear each other down, but the most successful and happy women I know support each other and everyone feels good about it. That’s my dream for the next generation, is to keep that momentum going.

Cheers to all women in the workplace!

Wednesday October 18, 2023

7

Young Photographer Builds Successful Business

BY HARLEIGH CUPP Daily News-Record

Sydney Kane is what she would consider a half-time portrait and wedding photographer and half-time world traveler, but the occupation in which the young photographer and James Madison University graduate has found success isn’t quite the occupation she went to school for.

While Kane was born in southern California, she moved with her family to Arlington when she was about to enter fourth grade and has been a resident of the Commonwealth ever since — a place where her interest and practice in digital photography has developed.

“Growing up,” Kane said, “my brother and I were really into playing sports, and my dad wanted to get better photos of us [on the field], so he got really into sports photography.”

Kane started picking up a point and shoot camera and learned alongside him.

Eventually, her dad was able to start his own sports photography side-business in northern Virginia and as his list of bookings grew longer and longer, Kane would pick up a few games to photograph for him.

At Yorktown High School, Kane took several photo classes where she learned the basics of photography from a technical standpoint and was introduced to portrait photography as well — which she immediately found she enjoyed and had the potential to be turned into a business of her own.

Kane first fell in love with Harrisonburg and the surrounding area when she arrived to the city to start classes at JMU. And the fall of her freshman year, she gathered as many friends and hall mates as she could to practice taking portraits in her new home.

That spring, Kane started charging for her photo services and “hasn’t looked back.”

As a sophomore, she added weddings to her portfolio and made invaluable connections with other local photographers.

“I was so busy,” Kane said, “but I spent every spare second learning how to build

my business and make it better.”

It seemed she was made to be a professional photographer, she explained, but all the while she was still studying for a degree in education. She planned to work full-time as a teacher and could use photography as a side income. COVID, however, changed all that — and perhaps for the better.

Kane started student teaching during her last year when public school was virtual. She said being an educator just didn’t have the same appeal as it did before. Plus, she noticed she was already making more than enough money to sustain herself, and it was photography that was her greatest passion anyway.

She stuck her schooling out and earned her degree, but that diploma will have to sit on the shelf because at just 25 years old Kane is now a completely self-employed photographer and she couldn’t be happier, she said — especially since she’s able to fulfill her travel goals too.

“Working really hard [during an ‘on’ season] allows me to travel for months at a time,” Kane said.

In June 2022, Kane flew to Europe to embark on a backpacking trip that brought her back to the states in March of this year.

After shooting some special spring ses-

sions, Kane climbed in her car and spent the entire summer camping across the country.

In August, Kane settled back into Harrisonburg — just in time for a portrait and wedding photographer’s “busy season” — and is already making plans to pack her suitcase when photo sessions settle down for the winter.

When shooting, Kane feels most at home in Shenandoah National Park where some of her favorite engagement and elopements have taken place and her primary camera is a Canon Eos 5D Mark IV outfitted with lots of different lenses.

She contributed much of her success to “being insanely dedicated” and a “sheer desire” to work for herself and earn her own freedom as a business owner.

“Photography is a great skill to have for life in general,” Kane remarked, “but being there for everyone else’s big moments [makes] my job so happy at all times. I’m with people when they’re celebrating their college graduation with their parents and I’m with [other] people as somebody proposes and I get to be the one who jumps out of a bush and is the first to congratulate them. It’s just such a happy, happy job, and that’s what keeps me going.”

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

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