WOMEN IN BUSINESS - February 2021

2021 WOMEN in BUSINESS special feature

PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

What do a realtor, an audiologist, a jeweler, and a plastic surgeon have in common? They are just a few of the outstanding local women we are proud to highlight in our inaugural Women in Business special feature, saluting select business owners, professionals, and companies representing the leading role women have taken in the River Valley.

2021 WOMEN in BUSINESS special feature

PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

What do a realtor, an audiologist, a jeweler, and a plastic surgeon have in common? They are just a few of the outstanding local women we are proud to highlight in our inaugural Women in Business special feature, saluting select business owners, professionals, and companies representing the leading role women have taken in the River Valley.

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education & Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

There has never been a better time to be a woman in the health care fields. That's the assessment of faculty at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Fort Smith institutions of higher learning are two of the fastestgrowing medical schools in the region.

“Our class make-up is about fifty percent men and fifty percent women,” says Leslie Ziegler, MD, assistant professor of Internal Medicine. “By comparison, I was in medical school in the 1990s. My class was comprised of about one-quarter to one-third women.”

Women are not only more numerous in the field, they are also successful, with many gaining residency interviews from prestigious institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic and Georgetown. This is due in part to mentorship and other support afforded students

during medical school. These medical professionals are in equally high demand in the marketplace, says Donna Shipley, MD, assistant professor of Family Medicine.

"The field is wide open to women, from nurses to techs to physicians, as COVID has underscored the need for more health care professionals in general,” she says. “In our area, we continue to have a shortage of trained medical assistants, nurses, mid-levels and physicians. In fact, Dr. Ziegler and I are the only two full-time female physicians in the entire clinical medicine department, not because of a lack of willingness to hire, but because female doctors are in high demand.”

“As one of our female students Hannah Clark stated, ‘No one considers us second best anymore.’”

JESSICA MEADORS

Artifex 323 Design

Alabaster Apparel Co.

In the course of building her seven-year-old business, Artifex 323 Design, Van Buren, Arkansas-based Jessica Meadors has made a name for herself in the field of graphic design, web creation and marketing. Along the way, she’s also served clients by creating eye-catching designs for printed apparel. In 2019, she decided to harness that same creativity toward her own line of tees, sweatshirts and other clothing for women. Alabaster Apparel Co., an apparel company she launched with her mother, was born.

“I think the secret to success in business, and what sets me apart, stems from creativity and work ethic,” she says. “I was taught the value of hard work from my family, and I always do what it takes to make the client happy.”

“Creativity is something not everyone has, or they’re too close to a problem to solve it creatively. That's where I come in; I listen to what the customer needs and then apply my creativity to deliver that solution.”

As a successful entrepreneur and mother, Jessica has learned the secret to happiness in life is maintaining balance. “‘Keep Balance’ is my family’s motto. It’s so important to my life, I’ve even tattooed it on my body – twice,” she says. “It is a constant reminder to keep your priorities in order: God is most important, family next. If anything should slip ahead of those two things, I need to rearrange, and something needs to change. In business and in life, if you build your balance around the right things, good will follow.”

Arvest Bank

The story of Arvest is one of commitment started by our Northwest Arkansas founders in 1961, an intense dedication to focusing on the customer.

Today, Arvest Bank has total assets exceeding $20 billion and operates more

than 270 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma through a group of 14 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team. Serving customers in more than 135 communities, with extended weekday banking hours at many locations, Arvest’s banking services include loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Additionally, wealth management, investment and insurance products and services are offered through Arvest Wealth Management.

Arvest also is committed to its associates, evidenced in part by the recent formation of Associate Impact Groups. The groups are designed to provide the underrepresented demographics of associates an avenue to

collectively share perspectives, ideas and solutions on ways to enhance the associate and customer experience. One of the groups is named WOW, which stands for Women of Work.

Arvest strives not just to employ women – who make up more than 60 percent of our workforce – but to empower them. We hope that is apparent in many ways, from the women who occupy our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief People Officer roles to our inclusion on Forbes magazine’s 2018 list of “America’s Best Employers for Women.”

Arvest also is proud to support entities such as Do South® Magazine, which this month is recognizing the contributions of women in our community.

Dr. Kelley Linton Center for Hearing

Center for Hearing, established in 1998, is a specialty medical clinic any community would be proud to call its own. Here, skilled medical professionals improve the quality of life for their patients, from children to seniors, through hearing treatment.

“Audiology is a very rewarding field, and many people aren't aware of everything that we do,” says Dr. Kelley Linton, board certified audiologist and former adjunct professor at UAMS in Little Rock who co-founded the Center for Hearing. “We treat all types of hearing and balance problems, and work with every age population. We often work in industry, verifying companies are OSHA compliant and protecting workers from hazardous noise.”

Kelley earned her doctor of audiology degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She’s also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, attached to Public Health Command. As the leader of this thriving practice, Kelley is particularly proud of her staff, which has propelled Center for Hearing to six straight Best Audiologist and Best Hearing Aid Center rankings by the Times Record’s Community Choice Awards.

“We are constantly striving to maintain a team of employees that provide the highest-quality patient care in an environment that is both comfortable and welcoming,” Kelley says. “We listen to what our patients say and offer cutting edge solutions for their hearing needs.”

“During the pandemic we were forced to develop new avenues for delivering care. We did so via telehealth and curbside care, in service to our patients.”

When she’s not calling the Hogs or spending time with her family, Kelley is a volunteer audiologist for the Good Samaritan Clinic in Fort Smith and part of annual medical mission teams traveling to Honduras and Peru to evaluate and treat those in need.

She says the opportunities are particularly robust for women in certain health care specialties, audiology being foremost among them.

“Women excel in critical areas of health care including patient care, technology, administration, and counseling,” she says. “Audiology encompasses all of these areas; therefore, women are leaders in this field.”

“There is an amazing world of opportunity for anyone who is willing to work hard and stay focused on the goal,” she adds by way of advice. “Don't get distracted by competition, shiny objects or what others say. Take your idea, make a plan and then work every day to execute it.”

Ann K. Passmore, M.D. | F.A.C.S. passmore plastic surgery

If there’s one thing that nearly twenty-five years in practice has taught Dr. Ann Passmore, it’s the value of setting ambitious goals, operating with fearlessness and compassion and embracing constant self-improvement. It’s a formula for personal and professional success she readily advocates for others.

"Work hard, set an example and be a leader,” she says by way of advice to other entrepreneurs. “Dedication, I think, is one of the biggest things. Compassion. Those are things that have all worked well for me in the world of surgery.”

Ann has more than just a catchy slogan to show for her years in practice. This summer, when many small businesses were reeling from the effects of the pandemic, she realized a long-held dream of opening her own clinic. It’s an accomplishment decades in the making, built one satisfied patient at a time.

“In my business especially, you’ve got to be a good listener and you’ve got to love what you do,” she says. "A lot of my patients are female so I can empathize with them, but I’ve also got a lot of guys who are patients and it’s just because I’m a good listener.”

“I love my patients. People remark all the time that I put in long days. My days aren’t long, I wish I could have more hours in the day, I love it that much. And my expertise is supported by my knowledgeable and well-trained staff who I also love.”

A Fort Smith product, Ann began her service to her hometown with Cooper Clinic, a tenure that lasted twenty years. From there she spent three years with Mercy Clinic before hanging out her own shingle in 2020. Every patient she served in that time became a calling card for change in the industry.

“Surgery, in the past, was a man’s world,” she says. “I never felt like I needed to work harder because I was a woman, I just needed to work hard because I’m a surgeon and it’s what my patients deserved. I always took being a good role model very seriously and I still do.”

Asked if she held to any personal motto, Ann doesn’t miss a beat. “Two words: carpe diem, seize the day,” she says. “I love it, it’s perfect. Life is too short; you’ve got to just go forward with what you want to do or become. You’ve got to do it.”

Justina Johnson Owner/Principal Broker

Erica Bankston Owner/Creative Director

The Heritage Group Real Estate Co.

Honesty, integrity and a never say die attitude are all driving elements of the powerhouse tandem of Justina Johnson and Erica Bankston. Staying true to these fundamental values, the pair launched their own real estate firm, The Heritage Group, in 2019.

“Erica and I work so well together as partners because we share the same mindset of people over everything,” Justina says. “We will always strive to maintain relationships over numbers in everything that we do.” “Exactly, our vision from Day One has been to emphasize collaboration instead of competition,” Erica adds. “The real estate industry has a reputation for being cutthroat, even within a brokerage. Our heart is to continue to build a team where the culture is supportive, and the relationships extend even outside of our brand.”

Finding one’s niche in the hyper-competitive world of real estate comes down to the ability to overcome sometimes-steep obstacles. Justina says one of the foremost challenges for any woman in the generally male-dominated industry is to be taken seriously, even though attitudes are changing.

“In the years past, it was often assumed that women in real estate were using the industry as part-time work or more of a side hustle,” she says. “Now, women have more than shown that we are among the top in the industry and are some of the most influential in the profession.” Women had ample opportunity to prove their mettle in 2020, as the pandemic forced the real estate industry to be more resourceful and more creative than at any other time in order to serve clients. “No question, this year has challenged both men and women to adapt to a new dynamic at both work and home,” Justina says. “This year has also given us pause to revisit and sometimes realign the way business is being conducted.”

As for those who would follow in their footsteps, the successful business partners recommend leveraging resources while moving to your own beat.

“Surround yourself with people who know more than you and challenge you to grow. You will avoid so many mistakes if you are not afraid to ask questions and learn from others,” Erica says. “Set goals, keep your big vision in front of you and be willing to do things that you are afraid of, like risking judgement from your peers. The most successful people aren’t doing what everyone else is doing. No risk, no reward.”

Kathryn Mays John Mays Jewelers

True family-owned businesses are becoming more of a rarity in this day and age, which alone makes John Mays Jewelers of Fort Smith a special place. But as Kathryn Mays attests, it's the people behind the name that truly make the difference.

“Focusing on the things you know and love about the industry helps you tap into your passion and drive,” she says. “Remembering why you got started is what feeds the fire that pushes you to be your best.”

The company has always prided itself on featuring flawless quality jewelry from the most revered names in the industry, striving to find the most exclusive treasures and unique gifts available. Kathryn embodies this philosophy, wowing customers with her

expertise and impeccable customer service since the business opened its doors in 1999.

“We are firm believers that education and learning all we can about our field and the evolving changes in the industry will help us be successful,” she says. But while product and design knowledge are what brings customers in, Kathryn says genuine caring and respect are what keeps them coming back. It’s a principle that she’s lived by her entire career.

“Success in business and life comes down to really simple things,” she says. “Focus on the things you know and love, be kind and respectful to others and value their opinions. It takes all of us working together to make this world a better place.”

nicole swanson

ERC

DIRECTOR

OF OPERATIONS

THE HUB AT PROVIDENCE

Ask Nicole Swanson the secret to her longevity in the male-dominated world of real estate development and the twenty-nine-year industry veteran’s response is direct and succinct.

“A servant heart, a desire to provide quality living options and taking advantage of opportunities to learn and show leadership,” she says. “That’s why I am here today.”

Nicole’s co-workers at The HUB at Providence, the game-changing mixed-use development for which she is vice president of operations, are more effusive about her skillset. Kathy Coleman, director of design and marketing, is one of them.

“I have seen the good, the bad, the great and the ugly in this business. One of the things I admire is a person willing to give our company one hundred and ten percent effort, like Nicole does,” Kathy says. “Pick up trash, sweep, clean a bathroom, do whatever it takes. That’s the secret to success in this business and that’s who Nicole is.”

Nicole’s career began humbly enough, but her work ethic and an attitude toward constant improvement has helped her rise steadily through the ranks of ERC, parent company of The HUB. “I started with ERC in November 1992 as a courier, making deliveries and pick-ups,” she says. “Since then, I have worked in every department that our company has and that allowed me to have a global view of the many facets associated with ERC as a whole.”

By example and by direct mentorship, Nicole has also helped develop others to be their best. “When I came onboard fulltime, Nicole could have been intimidated by me or just let me flounder, but she didn’t,” Kathy says. “Instead, she was the very epitome of a leader, from drawing on her years of expertise to answer all of my questions down to teaching me the copy machine. She took the time to invest in me because ultimately, it made the team successful. That’s what good leaders do.”

Today, the team behind The HUB represents the most experienced and skilled professionals anywhere, showcasing the development’s innovative work-live-play environment and serving residential and business clients alike with the highest in amenities and customer service.

“The HUB represents an entirely new concept in real estate development in this market,” Nicole says. “It’s been exciting to be a part of such an innovative project, something that will serve the region and allow Fort Smith to stand apart from the field for years to come.”