Business Women Who Inspire Us

Darcy Giaquinto: CrossFit GroundSpeed

Darcy has been in business for 9 years and in the fitness industry for more than 25 years.

Why do you love what you do?

“I love watching the process of transformation in people’s lives. Watching confidence be built, mindsets be strengthened, and building people up physically, mentally and emotionally far stronger than they ever thought they could be.” 

 What is your key to success?

“Commitment.  Being committed to my community of fitness, committed to my core values and implementing them in my everyday life and commitment to God as He is the ultimate key to success.”

Dee Moncrief: Realtor/Broker

Dee Moncrief is the associate broker for Sherman Hemstreet Real Estate in Springfield. Dee has been in business for 23 years.

Why do you love what you do?

Being a part of one of the most important financial decisions a family makes gives me a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. But being part of the emotional decision a family makes, either in purchasing or selling their home gives me a true sense of value for having assisted someone to another stage in their journey.

What is your key to success?

Experience, market knowledge and compassion.

Detra Thomas: Owner, Wiley’s Home Center

Wiley’s has been an area staple for more than 34 years. Detra is grateful and attributes their success to the support of Rincon, and surrounding communities.

Why do you love what you do?

I love what I do because it is fresh and new everyday. There are always new styles, new ideas and new customers. Our old and new customers are loyal to us and we feel like they are part of our extended family. It’s definitely a physical job. We all get our workout by moving and shifting furniture constantly from the floor to the delivery trucks. The staff and I have a lot of fun and it is never a dull moment. The team is truly part of our family.

What is your key to success?

Treat folks the way you want to be treated and surround yourself with a devoted staff who share the same goals and values.

Jennifer VanGiller: Owner/Operator of South Fork Provisions

Jennifer and her husband Joe own South Fork Provisions, prepared meals to go and food market. They have been in business for 2 years but in the food industry for 24 years.

Why do you love what you do?

I love knowing that our business is able to help out our community by providing prepared meals. Being able to feed people is a true southern hospitality tradition that encompasses who we are at SFP. It's an honor to do what we do and be blessed by our customers each week.

What is your key to success?

Building genuine relationships with my customers is one of the most important factors to the success of South Fork Provisions. Putting out good quality food is a close second!

Melissa McBride Stille: Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC

Melissa has been an independent insurance agent for three years. She has been in the health insurance industry for 13 years with a main focus on Medicare.

Why do you love what you do?

I love helping people who don't know the industry. Through the years when someone works, they usually have an HR person to help guide them but when someone retires, they often lose that point of contact and don't know what their next steps are. I like being that next step. Education is key so I give my clients the education on what their next steps/options are and then let them make an educated decision.

What are your keys to success?

Always do what is right for my clients. I work for my clients NOT for an insurance company.

Misty M Seale, DMD: iHeart Dental

Dr. Seale is the dentist behind iHeart Dental in Rincon. iHeart Dental has been in business two years. She has been in the dental industry for seven years.

Why do you love what you do?

I love helping people and I love transforming lives along the way. Life is a journey and I love to give back to the community through dentistry. It gives me great joy to see someone's life change through their smile. Dentistry is one of the best jobs in the world because you are a doctor, a technician, a sculptor and an artist, as well as a teacher, therapist, engineer and a life coach at the same time. It's pretty cool.

What is your key to success?

1. Create and communicate your vision with love and compassion.

2. Find people with similar views who understands your passion and in turn make your vision part of their vision.

3. Build a great team and maintain great energy thus keeping negativity away.

4. Love what you do and do what you love, and never lose sight of your goals.

Monica Hester: Owner, Hester Business Solutions, Inc  & Working for a Purpose Foundation

Monica provides financial services to businesses. She has been in the industry for 21 years. She is also the founder of Working for a Purpose, a nonprofit organization serving single family households—a mission that has always been on her heart.

Why do you love what you do?

I love educating businesses on smarter ways to process payments while helping them increase their bottom line. As for the nonprofit, I love this space because I meet people at their lowest point, when they’re in the darkness and we help allow them to see there is a way. There is someone here to listen, give and support them in their time of need. I love knowing that by helping this one person it can become a chain effect in our community.

What are your keys to success?

Have faith in God and never give up!

Patricia Mitchell: MAGIC (Mitchell’s Advisory Group Insurance Consultants)

Patricia started MAGIC insurance in 2015 after being an educator for 27 years. She has been in the insurance business for 13 years.

Why do you love what you do?

I love the clients, and new agent’s/broker’s’ reactions when they learn of all the benefits and money saving options clients have that they did not know they were eligible for. I love helping and meeting people!

What is your key to success?

Family First! I promise each of my clients as they have adopted me as not only their agent/broker, but as an extended family member, that my team and I will take care of their insurance needs as we do for our parents, siblings, children, grandparents etc. Once clients adopt us, they never leave us!