July/August 2024
Vol. 5 Issue 6
BreaRobinson life. faith. love
Always Remember That Timing Is Everything
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
While listening to a recent message shared during church, I was reminded of how unpredictable life can be. The message also reminded me of why it is critically important to stay connected to God in all matters of our lives. God gives us life, Him and Him alone. So, knowing this, how can we expect to live a successful and abundant life without allowing God to have input on what happens in our lives? The answer is that we can’t.
A Letter from the Editor
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
As life continues to happen for me, meaning that new milestones are being reached, I often find myself resting in awe of where God has brought me. As I reflect on many of the burdens I have carried, the battles that I fought, and many moments of triumph and victory, the memories of things that I have lost along my journey are not too far away. Again, life has been so unpredictable. What I thought would happen didn’t happen, and where I thought I would be, guess what? I am not there. I am actually at the place in life that is destined for me to be, and I have found peace in reminding myself that what God has for me is only for me.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
The message I heard said that when we lose something, we also gain something. I have learned that my purpose will cost me something, and I can’t step out on faith and insist for things to go my way. That isn’t faith but more like control. The message also reminded me to check the temperature of the climate in which I am operating. God doesn’t operate in chaos and confusion. If I am moving in my purpose and operating in my anointing, and if things are chaotic and confusing, God isn’t there. That should be my signal to move.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
When things in life get out of control, God expects for us to slow down. He desires for us to stop, rewind, regroup, let loose of the baggage we have picked up while off course, and return to Him. God is aware of the things we desire, yet He is only concerned with providing us with what we need, and He promises that it will happen according to His timing and no one else.
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
Inquiries
Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Spartanburg, SC
City Approves Plans for Baseball
The City of Spartanburg
Greenville, SC
The Best Place To Live Greenville is Recognized
Greensboro, NC
Chapter Four: Mama Has A Potty Mouth Becoming A Caregiver
Flat Fee Recruiting is hiring. Learn more about the company and its president, Ava Smith Greenville, SC 06
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one cute kid. Her name is Aubree Henry.
Life. Faith. Love Brea Robinson
The Cover
One Stitch At A Time
Rachel Hughes
McFarland Construction Monica Roach
The Womens Expp HSV Tiffany Draper
The First For Mauldin Juneteenth Festival
Spartanburg City Council Approves Items Related To New Minor League Baseball Stadium Development
Information obtained by Oakwood University Press Release
Spartanburg City Council voted 5-0 to approve first reading for a quartet of items related to the new minor league baseball stadium and adjacent developments at their meeting on Monday. Council member Erica Brown was absent from the meeting, and Council member Rob Rain recused himself from voting on the items as he is employed by Johnson Development Associates, Inc., which is developing the project.
The four items approved were consistent with the development agreement approved by City Council last September and constitute a major step for the City’s involvement with the development. The items included:
An ordinance to authorize the execution of an agreement between the City and Spartanburg County regarding sharing costs of constructing, financing, and maintaining the stadium.
An ordinance to authorize a 20-year lease agreement with Diamond Baseball Holdings, LLC., the owner and operator of the minor league baseball team that will call Spartanburg home. Under terms of the agreement, Diamond Baseball Holdings will lease the stadium from the City, managing the space year-round and allowing the City to hold no fewer than 10 community events in the space each year. Diamond Baseball Holdings will initially pay $500,000 annually to the City, with that sum escalating every 5 years based on the Consumer Price Index. The team will also collect a $1 facility fee per ticket sold for the stadium’s maintenance.
An ordinance consenting to the removal of the property from a joint county industrial/business park and including it in a new joint county industrial/business park to facilitate agreements between the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County regarding their partnership in the development project.
An ordinance authorizing the issuance of $67.5 million in bond debt to pay for the baseball stadium’s construction.
Currently under construction on Downtown Spartanburg’s western edge, the new stadium (which will be named Fifth Third Park) is the centerpiece of a $425 million development that spans over four downtown blocks, bounded by W Henry St. to the south, W Main St. to the north, S Daniel Morgan Ave. and Spring St. to the east, and the CSX Railroad to the west.
In addition to the 3,500-seat stadium, the development area will include 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, over 375 apartment units, a 150-room hotel, parking facilities to house at least 1,500 vehicles, and a large public plaza and event space. Construction on the project will take place in phases, with the stadium and first parking structure expected to be completed by spring of 2025 and subsequent phases to be completed over several years.
Under terms of the previously approved development agreement, Johnson Development Associates will invest $305 million to construct multiple structures for the development’s office space and commercial component, a new 150-unit hotel, and three parking facilities.
In addition to City funding, additional public funding for the development will help pay for the stadium and public infrastructure construction, coming in the form of $54,000,000 in state funding, $3.6 million in Downtown Partnership Committee funds set aside for downtown development, and $1.8 million in Spartanburg County Accommodations Tax funding. The City intends to repay its bond obligations using Spartanburg County Accommodations Tax funding, Downtown Partnership Committee funding, City Hospitality Tax funding, and stadium lease payments from the team. h
Greenville Chosen Among Best Places To Live
Information obtained from Online Press Release
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has named Greenville one of the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the nation.
Greenville ranked number 4 in the general rankings. This year’s list evaluated 150 of the country’s top cities based on how well they meet Americans’ living expectations, with measures including value, job market, desirability and quality of life.
“Deciding where to live is a significant decision many people make based on a number of factors that mean most to them,” said Erika Giovanetti, loans expert and reporter, U.S. News & World Report. “The Best Places to Live rankings identifies cities that are most likely to meet the wants and needs of those considering where to call home next.”
The four measures factored into this year’s ranking were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find out what qualities they consider important in a place to live. The methodology also factors in data from the National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, Sharecare (Nasdaq: SHCR), the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals.
Flat Fee Recruiting Is Hiring
Flat Fee Recruiting, LLC is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and is a permanent placement recruiting firm that provides quality employees for lower fees than the typical staffing agency. It has helped companies save thousands of dollars in recruiting costs.
Currently, Flat Fee Recruiting is hiring! Led by Ava Smith, Flat Fee Recruiting focuses on connecting people with the right jobs for them.
Looking for a job can be an exhausting experience. They hope to be a valuable resource to their clients and others who are seeking employment. They have staff on site who can care about their clients’ situations.
Flat Fee Recruiting also focuses on eliminating the stress of recruiting and having a positive impact on employers’ bottom lines. To date, Flat Fee Recruiting has filled over 2,000 positions. For more information about their services and job opportunities, please visit their website.
Ava Smith - President
BreaRobinson life. faith. love
By Terry L Watson
Photos Provided by Brea Robinson
The origin story of her business began long before she knew she would become a business owner.
Brea Robinson is the owner of Life Faith Love. Her company sells gemstone bracelets and other faith-based merchandise. Their motto is “In LIFE, choose your FAITH, and walk in LOVE.” The guiding scripture for Brea’s company is Matthew 17:20: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible for you.” To embody this message, she shares that all her products feature an embossed mustard seed, spreading Faith as small as a mustard seed worldwide.
Brea currently resides in the Upstate area of South Carolina, though she is a native of Baltimore, MD, and was raised in Randallstown, MD. Both of her parents have passed away, and she has one daughter, Breanna Lee, who is 28 years old and a master barber. Brea has a passion for serving people, which led her to a career as a customer service manager at Publix Supermarkets. At age 40, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Personal Saviour and was baptized shortly after.
The reference to mustard seed is embodied in Brea’s business. Before Brea’s mother passed away, she asked Brea to take her to Winn Dixie. “We went down the spice aisle, and she handed me a bottle of mustard seeds, telling me to hold onto the scripture of faith as small as a mustard seed.”
We went down the spice aisle, and she handed me a bottle of mustard seeds, telling me to hold onto the scripture of faith as small as a mustard seed
Seventeen years later, after going through a divorce, a career transition, and becoming an empty nester, that scripture came back to Brea. Driven by a desire to start a business, she began making greeting cards featuring the scripture and embedded mustard seed, hoping to revive the tradition of sending meaningful cards rather than texts. In December 2019, she launched Plant A Seed Cards.
A few months later, in March 2020, Brea began creating beaded bracelets, leading to the creation of Faith of a Mustard Seed bracelets, Men’s Cross Collection bracelets, and Awareness Ribbon Cross bracelets. Being furloughed from work during the Covid pandemic allowed her to invest time into making bracelets and selling them at local craft shows and pop-up shops. The bracelets quickly became popular, and Brea’s primary focus, her business, evolved. She rebranded my business to “Life Faith Love” in late 2022, and it now includes gemstone bracelets, mustard seed necklaces, and mustard seed soy wax cubes.
Brea shares that the vision to start her company came from continually asking God to reveal her purpose. “After my mother’s passing and then my 20-year-old brother being hit and killed seven days later by a drunk driver who was also a Clemson University student, I spent 20 years struggling with inner grief while navigating everyday life and being there for others. Despite these challenges, my foundation in God’s word of Faith helped me to keep going.”
Brea shares that she loves watching the surprise and delight on her customers’ faces when they turn over the faith charm on a gemstone bracelet and discover the mustard seed. “It often sparks a memory or a meaningful conversation about Faith. I also give small children free bracelets at events, frequently leading to discussions about Faith between parents and their children. This gives me a sense of fulfillment as I’m doing my part to spread Faith and hope through my products.”
Brea shares that her testimony reflects how God has guided her through numerous challenges in life. Losing several family members, going through a divorce, and caring for others are what make her who she is. “These experiences, which I initially thought were the causes of my depression and loneliness, were shaping me. God used these hardships and challenges to equip me to meet women where they are in their lives, providing encouragement and leading them to Christ outside of traditional church settings,” she says. Now, at 50 years old, with no immediate caregiving responsibilities and no need to stay in survival mode, Brea is discovering who she is and following God’s path.
Gemstone Faith Bracelets
Mustard Seed Necklace Collection
Gemstone Chip Love Bracelets
One of the biggest challenges Brea faces in business has been managing all aspects alone, especially marketing. “While my bracelets are easy to sell at in-person events, driving online sales through my website is difficult,” she explains. “Another challenge is finding consistent and dependable assistants to help serve customers at local events.” She has managed these challenges by resting and accepting that not everything can be accomplished in one day. “I believe in my craft and the quality of my products. I know customers appreciate the message behind the mustard seed products.” To boost online sales, Brea collaborates with her website designer on strategies, from improving website SEO to social media marketing.
For others who may follow in her footsteps, Brea’s advice is always to pray and trust that God’s will is best, even when it may not make sense. “Walk by Faith, not by sight, and trust the process. Follow your passion with commitment, even when the path seems uncertain. Embrace the principle of walking by Faith and have confidence in the journey. This mindset will help you navigate the difficulties and successes of business.”
As the future unfolds, things look very good for Brea and her business. She says that Life Faith Love’s next step is expanding its reach across the United States through online marketing and attending women’s conferences as a vendor. Her goal is to increase revenue, enabling her to continue doing what she loves. “I am committed to supporting other women in business. By embracing the principle of “Each one, teach one,” I want to lend a helping hand to fellow entrepreneurs, helping them grow and succeed in their businesses.”
h
Studio Rae
“Creating Magic, One Stitch At A Time”
By Terry L. Watson
Rachel Hughes of Kansas City, MO, is a self-taught crochet designer and creator of Studio Rae. During the past six years, she has spent much of her time learning how to crochet and has become very good. She has showcased her designs in several fashion shows, including Heartland International Fashion Week, Omaha Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week. Additionally, Rachel has sold hundreds of custom pieces in several boutiques in Kansas City and all the way to Dublin, Ireland.
Although being a fashion designer was always Rachel’s dream, she says the most important title she holds is that of wife and mom. “I will be celebrating my nine-year wedding anniversary this year with my husband, Courtney. Together, we have a seven-year-old son, Preston, and a four-year-old daughter, Cydni. My family is my world. I would not be able to do what I do without the love and support of my husband.”
Photos Provided by Rachel Hughes
Not only am I creating garments, but I’m also creating the fabric for them as I go, one stitch at a time. It’s really quite magical if you sit back and think about it.”
Rachel is the owner of Studio Rae. Her company began with photography, art, and of course, crochet. However, her crochet started to take off and became her main focus. “I picked up my very first crochet hook in November 2018. I decided to teach myself how to crochet to help save money and make everyone Christmas gifts instead of purchasing them. I started pulling up as many different crochet videos on YouTube as I could to master my newfound hobby,” she says.
Since age 10, Rachel has dreamed of becoming a fashion designer but never had an interest in learning how to sew, and that became a dream deferred. Once she started crocheting, Rachel realized she could merge her new hobby with her longtime dream of being a fashion designer. That is how her journey in the fashion industry started.
As a business owner, Rachel says she loves being able to take her ideas, whether they are in her head or sketched out on paper, and create them with her hands using only a piece of string and a hook. “Not only am I creating garments, but I’m also creating the fabric for them as I go, one stitch at a time. It’s really quite magical if you sit back and think about it.”
Additionally, Rachel shares that she loves seeing the reaction on people’s faces when they see what has been created and when they try it on for the first time. “The look of amazement on their faces and the confidence that is reflected in their body language once they realize that all eyes in the room are on them makes all my hard work worthwhile,” she says.
Due to her duties as a wife, mother, and friend, Rachel has to crochet when she has free time. That has proven to be challenging for her. Another challenge Rachel shares is getting people to understand just how much work really goes into creating something by hand. “When someone can go online and find items marketed as “crochet” that are priced at only $10, $20, and so on. A lot of times, people expect my prices to be the same as what they see online. It can take up to 24 hours to make a garment by hand, but that does not mean it can be done in one day, especially if crocheting isn’t your primary source of income. If someone goes to work for three days in a row, working on the same thing every day for eight hours a day, they are going to be expecting more than a $10 or $20 paycheck. It is very challenging to compete with those stores and websites that charge pennies on the dollar,” she says.
Rachel counters these challenges by educating her potential customers and/ or viewers about what goes on behind the scenes. One of her productions, “Crochet Math” goes over how to take someone’s measurement and calculate how many stitches would be needed to complete the garment. “Videos like that can be eyeopening for those who question the costs of crochet pieces,” she says.
Looking ahead, Rachel will be showcasing at the 18th and Vine Fashion Show in Kansas City on Sept. 27th. She plans on spending the remainder of this year doing things to help elevate her brand in many different ways. Rachel recently selected her Brand Ambassador, Precious Smith, and is very excited to work with her. “My long-term goal is to continue to do fashion shows all over the country and, eventually, the world. I would love to get as many eyes on my work as possible and make my brand a household name. When people think of crochet, I want them to think of Studio Rae. I would love to see my creations at Hollywood’s Red Carpet events in the future, and I plan to put all the wheels in motion to make that a reality.” h
J U N E T E E N T H
Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor
Amphitheater And Grounds
June 22, 2024
Mauldin, SC
Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER FOUR: Mama Got A Potty Mouth
It’s amazing how the little things that we often take for granted can ultimately become the great things that we may miss the most after having a loved one experience a life-altering episode such as an Ischemic Stroke.
I can still taste the food like it was only yesterday. As I did on most Sundays after church, I stopped by my Mama’s to get something to eat. It was sort of a ritual; Mama would cook, and all of her kids would stop by to get something to eat. On this day, the meal prepared was meatloaf, cabbage, and field peas and snaps. It was very delicious, and I even went for seconds. Mama wasn’t there when I stopped by, as she had gone to church that morning and hadn’t returned home. After eating, I went home and rested for the day. That would be the last time I would be able to enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by her, as she would suffer her stroke the very next morning; but I can still taste my Mama’s food.
As the months passed, a routine revealed itself, which I and my family began to follow for my mother’s care. I looked forward to having every other weekend away from my home, as that was when my siblings would step in and take over the responsibilities of caring for Mama. While it was often a three to four-day get-away, I looked forward to the time away, as it freed my mind from all of the things that I carried on a daily basis. Believe it or not, while caring for Mama, I never stepped away from that which God had purposed for me, and my purpose continues to be a whole lot. When my short vacation ended, I easily jumped back into the role that mattered the most. I would describe myself as an early riser, and I have probably acquired this trait from my Mama, as she is known to rise at the break of dawn, even to this day. As the sun rose, it also signaled a variety of tasks that needed to be addressed. I could not afford to ignore any of them as my Mama’s survival depended upon them. She needed her medicine, breakfast, cleaning, and more than anything, my Mama needed comfort and attention from a trustworthy source, and who better to administer all of these than me?
One memory that I have of my mother is of her reluctance to go to her doctor on a regular basis, as well as her comfort in taking a pill for any known ailment. If she had a headache, she would take a pain pill. If her legs hurt, she would take a pill. Regardless of what may have bothered her, it appeared that my Mama believed the answer was by taking a pill or some form of medication. As a child and even as a young man, I never questioned her methods for selfcare, and why should I? She has lived a lot longer than I, and during the times when I was sick or hurting as a child, my Mama had the answers. Regardless of how bad it hurt, her kisses made it all better.
The time would arrive when Mama would have to visit her new array of physicians. Because she was diagnosed with suffering a brain injury, Mama would be under the care of a Neurologist. This would be in addition to making regularly scheduled visits to her Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, and PCP. To my surprise, being her primary caregiver meant that I would have to manage all of her visits. For me, this was such an unexpected welcoming into the world of caregiving.
On one visit to her Neurologist, things didn’t go so well. Due to the damage and affected areas of my mother’s body the stroke caused, her Neurologist recommended that she get regularly scheduled Botox injections into her arm, which was seized with paralysis. Injections meant needles, and my Mama is no fan of needles. When it was time for her injections, my Mama had no clue as to what was about to happen. The syringes were about nine inches in length and would have to be administered several times within a short period of time. Mama looked at those needles and then looked at the physician, and without taking a breath, my Mama blurted out two bad words that were directed at the short and seemingly pleasant healthcare representative. I said, “Mama, No,” but my resolve had no impact at this point. Mama was defiant, and she had no desire to be stuck. It was then that I learned that my Mama had a “Potty Mouth”. In the months to follow, and even to this day, those words continue to flow with ease. I love my Mama, Potty Mouth and all. h
I decided to share my experience as a full-time caregiver for my mother to consult, console, and inform other families who may be going through a similar situation. As a son, caring for my mother never feels like work; if so, it is a labor of love. Please continue to follow this message, Becoming A Caregiver, in Huami Magazine. I hope that sharing my experience will help others. From one caregiver to the next, God Bless You!
McFarland Construction
“Bringing
Humanity into Human
Resources”
By Monica Montgomery - Photos Provided by Monica Roach
Let’s be honest. Never has anyone said, “I love being called into HR!” When we hear Human Resources, most of us imagine a place where rules are made, papers are filed, and careers start and end. Monica Roach, the HR Talent Acquisition Manager with Charlotte, NC, based McFarland Construction company, has prioritized exemplifying humanity in Human Resources.
Having worked in human resources since 2008, Monica says she loves what she does. Even more, she appreciates the impact she has had the opportunity to make within her company, the industry, and her community. However, she will be the first to admit she didn’t always have things all figured out.
Roach, a Charlotte native, graduated from the North West School of the Arts. “I enjoyed my youth,” Monica says with a laugh. “I was born and raised in Charlotte, and I am grateful for the excellent support system and foundation I grew up with. I majored in dance while in high school and loved everything about it. But after high school, I didn’t know what my life was going to look like. I didn’t want to go to college just for the sake of going, so I took a gap year to figure myself out.”
During her first year of post-high school, Monica took classes at CPCC (Central Piedmont Community College). “It was time well spent and I was able to understand the importance of moving forward. I mean, I saw all of my friends going off to college, experiencing life, and being exposed to different things. It made me say, okay, I have to start getting myself in gear to create a life and a future for myself,” Monica explained.
In 2005, she graduated from Fayetteville State University with a degree in Business Administration. After graduating from Fayetteville State, Monica had a better idea of what she wanted and what her next steps would look like. Her first real job out of college was with Target, which provided Monica with her first experience in human resources. “I handled the back-office work, like running background checks, new hire orientation, and things like that. It was a great introduction to the field of HR,” she explains.
After a year with Target, Monica decided she enjoyed HR so much that she would go back to school and get her Master’s degree in human resources. “While working for Target, I saw the people’s side of HR. I’ve always been a people person, and I said, ‘You know what… I really like this.’ That’s when I decided to get my Master’s in Human Resources.” She graduated from Strayer University with a Master’s in HR and hasn’t looked back.
I majored in dance while in high school and loved everything about it. But after high school, I didn’t know what my life was going to look like.
Since starting her career, Monica has been given the opportunity to work in retail and banking, but she says those don’t compare to the position she has with McFarland Construction. A Talent Acquisition Manager is responsible for sourcing, attracting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding employees, all while factoring in the long-term goals of an organization. They must also ensure that current employees are satisfied and promote the company’s brand through recruitment initiatives and events. Essentially, their role is to help grow the talent in a company by finding and nurturing the most suitable people to contribute to a company’s future success. She refers to it as full-circle recruiting.
“Full-circle recruiting is about retaining, attracting, and identifying the talent. It’s a strategic approach to making sure I find the right candidate for the position. Anyone can hire a person, but will that new hire be what the company needs, and will they have long-term success with that company? All of that matters when a company is considering a candidate for employment. It’s not just about whether or not the person can do the job. I’m looking for alignment. Will this person match the company’s existing culture and climate? Will the candidate be happy in this position, and how do they see themselves growing and developing over time? I stress that they should make sure they aren’t just taking a job but seeing it as a starting place for a career. I want the candidates to make the best decision for themselves. My job requires me to advocate and make the right decision for the company so that both parties can meet their goals and have long-term success.”
McFarland Construction is a minority-owned full-service construction management, general contractor, and design-build company. They have been in business for fourteen years. Monica is the first person to hold the position of HR Talent and Acquisitions Manager with McFarland, and is so many ways, she is forging new territory. The average HR department is comprised of many roles. As the HR manager for a boutique-sized construction company, Monica does them all.
Since starting this position with McFarland, I can say that it has been a breath of fresh air, and I have no regrets. This has been an amazing opportunity. I have been stretched and given the chance to grow in ways I probably wouldn’t have had I not stepped out.
“I handle talent acquisitions, talent management, employee relations, and benefits. In this role, I am responsible for everything that needs to take place in the human resources department. That said, it is very important that I continue to stay open to growth and education when it comes to my position with this company,” Roach explained. “I’ve worn multiple hats for three years, but as the company continues to grow, so will the HR team.”
Going from a team member in an established human resources department such as Target’s or Wells Fargo to where she is now requires some adjustments. “I will admit going from having one role, in companies that already had policies and procedures in place, was completely different from where I am now. Honestly, I was scared. I was taking on an entire department, and there was so much I didn’t know coming in. I was literally walking into the unknown, but I couldn’t let my fear stop me.” Monica shared. “Since starting this position with McFarland, I can say that it has been a breath of fresh air, and I have no regrets. This has been an amazing opportunity. I have been stretched and given the chance to grow in ways I probably wouldn’t have had I not stepped out. Having the chance to work for an African-American-owned company that has not just given me a job but invested in me and given me a voice and space to make a difference is more than what I could have hoped for. I will be forever grateful.”
Coming in as an African-American female in a company and an industry that is predominantly male had its obstacles. For Monica, this was a challenge, but with the help of mentors both inside and outside of the company, she was able to find her footing and become an important voice in the growth and image of the company she loves and now calls her “foreverhome”. She adds that it’s about respect. “I make sure I treat people with respect, and I expect nothing less in return. It wasn’t always easy because the employees weren’t used to an authoritative female presence. I had to show them how to treat me. Having the support of management made all the difference in the world. The owner and visionary of the company, Tino McFarland, is an amazing employer. Then my manager, Ben Wilhelm gave me the time, grace, and encouragement it took for me to find the strength in my voice.” Monica also credits Leondra McDoo for being an exemplary mentor and helping her throughout her HR career, and states she is profoundly grateful for their collaboration.
McFarland’s Core Values
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT COLLABORATION
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
McFarland Construction promotes and celebrates diversity. We are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive workplace both internally and externally. Recruiting and retaining a diverse talent base is intentional and requires embracing collaboration, understanding the value of differing ideas and views, and the importance of open communication. Our team’s unique perspectives and varied backgrounds result in the development of innovative, forwardleaning solutions.
McFarland carries this commitment to diversity forward to each of our engagements. Through an intentional investment in local, diverse firms, our programs not only achieve short-term goals but also have a lasting impact on the local community and construction industry for years to come. Building capacity and lifting up emerging diverse partners links directly to who we are as a company.
In her role, Monica states how important it was for her to gain the trust of her employer and fellow employees. “They needed to understand that my focus was to help promote or facilitate the growth of the company. The key to that is making sure the people we hired were of the right quality and fit for the positions they were hired for. It doesn’t matter their race, gender, or ethnicity. Once that platform of mutual trust was established, my job became much easier,” she says.
As an advocate for equity and diversity, Monica has been allowed to use her knowledge and expertise to help create opportunities for others. Monica’s management position gives her a voice and affords her a seat at the table, an opportunity she doesn’t take lightly. “As an HR manager in a company such as McFarland, I am in the same room with all the other managers, including the President, CEO, and the other field executives. I’m in the room where it happens. I truly appreciate the opportunities I have to partake in programs and events that promote inclusion, equity, and diversity.”
Monica was recently featured along with other community leaders and business owners in the Charlotte Business Journal for her role in implementing the Construction Workforce Development Internship Program at McFarland. This program, the first in the construction industry, allows Monica and McFarland to take high school students on as paid interns. With support from corporate sponsor Fifth Third Bank, they have been able to pay students as they learn the different aspects of the contraction business. The students from West Charlotte High School are taken on and mentored from the start of the project until its completion. They also have an opportunity to go out in the field and learn about the different careers available to them in the construction industry.
In addition to the collaborative workforce program, Ms. Roach has had the opportunity to speak at the Charlotte City Council as a representative of the McFarland Construction Company and other companies like theirs.
“This was a great opportunity because quite a few high-ranking government officials were in attendance. I was able to share the company’s goals and vision for how we plan to take part in the growth and sustainability of our city. I was also able to talk about the importance of monitory-owned companies like ours, as well as the need for diversity within the companies. I’m proud to say that McFarland has over fourteen people of different nationalities who work with us. Not every company can say that. Speaking at the city council meeting was an honor and a humbling experience. I can’t say this enough, but I am truly grateful for the journey I’m on.”
While the path Monica is on has led her to personal growth and fantastic opportunities, she continues working to find ways to do more for others. She also understands how important it is for her to pay it forward. “When I started with McFarland in 2021, four women were working for the company, myself included. Today, there are twenty. In three years, we have added sixteen women to our office staff, and at least three of them are managers.”
Another accomplishment that Monica boasts about is the development of the McFarland Construction Core Academy. This program offers continuing education training and development programs for existing employees. It is education-based and allows employees to gain knowledge and certification for either their existing positions or training for other positions within the company. Allowing employees to cross-train benefits the company and the employee because it helps with retention, and we can promote from within, she says.
The profession of Human Resources continues to evolve. The road ahead for Monica is brighter than ever, and she is excited about where it’s leading her. She says that her personal goal is to continue to grow as an individual, a mother, and an HR manager, and she hopes to see McFarland Construction grow. “I plan to do everything I can to help build our company from within. People ask me where I see myself in the future. I tell them right here. I love what I do, and I love the company I work for. This career is my forever home.”
The Women’s Expo Huntsville Returns in 2025
By Terry L. Watson & Tiffany Draper
The Women’s Expo Huntsville is set to return in 2024.
The Women’s Expo Huntsville began as a spark of inspiration in our founder, Tiffany Draper’s mind. As an active member of the Huntsville community, Tiffany saw firsthand the challenges and obstacles faced by women in the area. She dreamed of creating a supportive space to empower women to reach their full potential and to show up every time. In 2021, Tiffany brought her vision to life by hosting the first Women’s Expo Huntsville.
Tiffany says, “It started small with just 100 pioneering attendees. But the energy and excitement were palpable. Women left feeling inspired, connected, and motivated to support one another.”
Tiffany is gifted with developing seamless and impactful events that bring communities together to cultivate empowering relationships. She has a passion for creating events that leave lasting memories and introduce innovative solutions for various events, such as training seminars, business anniversaries, engagement parties, and wedding ceremonies.
It started small with just 100 pioneering attendees. But the energy and excitement were palpable. Women left feeling inspired, connected, and motivated to support one another.
Photos Provided by Tiffany Draper
With her background as a Corporate Event Planner and Strategist, Tiffany worked with the City of Huntsville for over 15 years, enhanced her skills in resolving complex issues, expanding engagement beyond the North Alabama region, and crafting culturally diverse events. Because of expertise and reputation in Huntsville, Alabama, Tiffany decided to bet on herself and transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship. Through her social event venue, Studio 53, she has been able to build relationships and highlight numerous business owners locally and nationwide that continue to benefit economic growth.
Tiffany has a passion for bringing people together, and in combination with her experience in event strategy, she continues to create elaborate events based on the vision and objectives of her clients.
Notably, Tiffany has hosted The Women’s Expo Huntsville for the past three years that brings over 3,000 people together annually to shop with small business and gain personal development education all in a fun and entertaining environment. She has worked with major groups and corporations nationwide to bring various artists to Huntsville, such as the Salt and Pepper Gang from Houston and the Coolbone Brass Band from New Orleans, to name a few. Her collaborations not only bring attention to the City of Huntsville, but it also supports charitable causes and community initiatives for the growing city.
A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Tiffany enjoys connecting with family and friends as much as she can. She’s a dedicated mother of two boys and a supportive daughter, but she likes helping others in need in her spare time. She recently established her non-profit organization, She Can Grow, to help females feel empowered in their purpose and gain resources and tools that will benefit each aspect of their lives.
To learn more about Tiffany and her journey to entrepreneurship, visit her brand at www.tiffanydraper.com.
To learn more about The Women’s Expo Huntsville, please visit www.thewomensexpohsv.com
Testimonials
This was my very first Expo! I was overwhelmed with love and support! I even met people that already followed me and was looking forward to grabbing a smoothie and chatting with me in person.
The expo pushes me to grow, to keep going, and overall get better! I appreciate you for brining such an amazing idea to life and for following through!
We came in as first time vendors, not really knowing what to expect!
Such an awesome event!
Deana Danyell
Jhamese Willis
K.T. Turner h
