Q & A WITH BUSINESS WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY

The National Women’s Business Council reports that women-owned businesses “contribute substantially to entrepreneurship in the United States.” 42% of all U.S. businesses are owned by women (13 million) and employ more than 9.4 million workers. Women are three percentage points more likely to start a business than men.

Here we celebrate women in our community who are making a name for themselves while lifting up others in the process.

JAN SOUTHERN, CEO, J. DelSUR Marketing Group

How long have you been in business?

4 years

How long in your field of expertise?

32 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

The most challenging part has been managing growth. We have experienced tremendous growth and that comes with its own set of challenges from hiring to internal process scaling.

What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?

Marketing has always been my passion and it is such a joy to be able to share what I know with small businesses to help them grow.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

My advice is to listen to your gut. If you feel you have a great idea, go for it. You can never lose. Surround yourself with people who you admire and who have a positive outlook.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My husband, Morris, is my greatest supporter. He is honest with me and gives me the best advice. He knows me well and knows when I am not following my vision. He is not afraid to tell me when I am getting off track. It is a blessing to have him by my side.

COURTNEY R. RAWLINS, President/CEO, The Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

How long have you been in business?

Since 1994

How long in your field of expertise?

5 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Branding. Building a unique identity that accurately reflects your business can be difficult. Crafting the right branding to properly convey your values and mission requires significant time, effort, and thought.

What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?

An incredibly fulfilling aspect of running the Chamber has been the opportunity to get to know each and every one of our members. They have truly made us who we are today, and there is no greater reward than having their trust and belief in what we do!

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

It is important to hold yourself accountable in order to reach your goals. Surround yourself with an incredible support system of mentors who can provide valuable guidance and advice on the journey ahead. Women must also learn to believe in themselves —self-confidence is key when taking risks and pushing through roadblocks that inevitably come your way. Taking the leap into entrepreneurship may seem intimidating but it can be incredibly rewarding in the long run. Reach for the stars and keep moving forward!

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

I’m so thankful for all of my cheerleaders. The Chamber Team, for sure. They help me create positive change. My family’s continuous support has been instrumental in allowing me to leave a lasting legacy which I am proud to pass down through generations. Lastly, I have tremendous appreciation for our community whose success means everything to entrepreneurs like myself!

SAULS, Owner, By Jessica & Co Beauty Lounge/ Jessica N. Sauls

How long have you been in business?

7 years

How long in your field of expertise? Since 2010

What has been the most challenging in running your business? I would say finding employees.

What has been the most rewarding in running your business? The reaction in making everyone who sits in our salon feel beautiful. It’s my favorite part—seeing that smile!

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Do not ever let someone tell you that you can’t. And if they do, show them you can—times ten.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My mom was my biggest cheerleader. I miss her to pieces. But also my dad and my boys Gage and Michael, they cheer me on constantly.

LORI LEWIS, Owner/Head of School, Advanced Academics Academy

How long have you been in business?

3 wonderful years

How long in your field of expertise?

27 years

What has been the most challenging in running your business? Opening during COVID

What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?

The most rewarding and reason for being in business is to have a place where children thrive as learners!

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Just like in any field, find great mentors throughout your career to learn from best practitioners.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My greatest cheerleaders are other experts in education who praise what we are doing on our campus and my teaching staff who support so much fun in learning!

CASEY ALLEN, Audiologist, Audiology and Hearing Aid Services

How long have you been in business?

AHAS has been in business 39 years, Me, personally, 6 years in May

How long in your field of expertise?

6 years in May

What has been the most challenging in running your business?

Battling over the counter hearing aids and online sales; proving sometimes that our degrees matter and you sometimes need medical treatment for hearing loss; we are not just sales people. I am here to help in any way I can.

What has been the most rewarding part of running your business? When patients come in and thank me for helping them hear or tell me about all the little things they did not realize they were missing out on or have not realized they were not hearing well.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

I think it is hard sometimes being a female with a doctorate, sometimes it feels like people do not always respect you, but when you have a great support team around you, it really helps. AHAS is a female-run department and we all work really hard to support each other every day with new ideas and staying on top of the shifting hearing landscape.

Who are your greatest cheerleaders?

My dad; he will hand out business cards left and right and constantly gets on me about following up with people he has told me about or told them about me.