Q&A with Business Women Who Make 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.

Bonnie Smith
Owner, BRenewed

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Almost 5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

I have been a Licensed Massage Therapist for 23 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

What I find most challenging is preventing myself from injury. Massage Therapy is a physically demanding profession and my clients deserve to have the best version of me, so I really try to practice a healthy work/life balance by staying on top of my daily exercises of walking and running, stretching and sometimes yoga on my lunch breaks, scheduling routine massages for myself, staying properly hydrated, eating healthy and taking time off when I need to.

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

I find it so rewarding to see the smiles on my clients’ faces and hearing the sighs of relief that they are finally there with me!  From the moment they walk into my beautiful and cozy studios, until the moment they leave, my clients know and trust that they are in good hands and that I have nothing but the best intentions in my heart for them.  I have witnessed the work of my hands help people over and over again for 23 years!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

•               Believe in yourself.

•               Put in the hard work; it’s worth it in the long run! You get out of it what you put into it!

•               Have a strong support system that you can trust to help make big decisions

•               Get plugged into a community group that other female entrepreneurs are attending

•               Work in an environment that makes you feel proud and you truly love esthetically.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My biggest cheerleaders are my family and friends! I have to also include my clients in this as well,for without them booking ongoing appointments, referring their friends and families to me and voting and cheering me on with community contests, none of this would be possible. My dreams have come true!

Stefanie McCullough
President, Stop N Stor Self Storage

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Stop N Stor as a company has been in business since 2005. We opened our Highway 30 location in 2008 and our Highway 21 location in 2015.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Stop N Stor is a family business, so it feels like forever, but I officially started working with my family in 2012.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

In this season of my life, now that I am a mom with young children, the most challenging for me is balancing work and life. When you have your own business, you are essentially always working, but on the flip side you have flexibility as well. Also, a challenge is working with family. You speak more openly and matter-of-factly to family, and have to be mindful of that.

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

The most rewarding part of running our business is really seeing the “fruits of my labor”. After I make a decision and see that it was successful, whether it resulted in more income for our business, or resulted in a better benefit to our employees, is rewarding to me.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Have confidence and speak up. If you do not think something is right, say it. Always advocate for yourself and your business. Something else I would advise is that every mistake, failure, or mess-up, is just an opportunity to learn from. There is so much I have learned from my downfalls. So don’t beat yourself up and see a mistake as an opportunity to not have it happen a second time around.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

I would have to say my husband, Drew McCullough, and my father, Alan Dasher, are my biggest cheerleaders. We are partners so we are in it together. Working with family can be challenging, but a victory is sweeter with those you love right there with you!

Mia Thompson
Market President, Renasant Bank

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

5 years at Renasant Bank

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

32 years in banking

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

During my career, men were the leaders of the company. Today, women dominate our industry. I am grateful that Renasant Bank recognizes women for our contributions to our organization.

Also, I am a breast cancer survivor—that was another challenge, especially in my current role.

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

Relationships made with my customers over the years. Assisting families in our community.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Be willing to take risk in order to succeed. With risk, there will be doubt and fear. Be bold and courageous knowing that your journey is laying the groundwork for your future!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

Two local women in Effingham. They have been in the industry as well. Both have been vital for the growth in my career.

Ashley Boyette
Owner, Ashley Boyette State Farm

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

11 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

16 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Finding a team that shares my passion to help our community.

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

My customers.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Never give up! Try again and again and again.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband, boys, and my mama.

Jessica Honeycutt
Owner, Rincon Day Spa

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

4 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

23 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Keeping massage therapists.

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

Seeing our clients relaxed after their services.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Market yourself, band your business, and always strive to the best service.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My clients, my staff, and my family

Ellen Jacobs
Owner, Ellen Jacobs Country Financial Insurance

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

3 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

3 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

I prefer to assist my clients, rather than sending them to our customer service number. All of my clients have my cell phone number and can call me at any time. This has many challenges, but it’s the way I prefer to run my business. Our clients know they can call or stop by at any time and we will be happy to take care of their needs.

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

Building relationships with my clients and getting to know them on a more personal level. I take pride in being more than just their insurance agent and making sure they don’t feel like just another number.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

In order to succeed, you have to take risks. Don’t look at the shortfalls as failures, but rather as learning experiences to improve upon.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband and our 2 boys, my family, close friends, and clients.

Atty. Alisha Esselstein
Owner , Esselstein Law P.C.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

10 months

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

2 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Finding a healthy balance between a successful business and avoiding burnout.

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

Independence. Flexibility for my family. Financial freedom. More heavily involved in the community.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

My husband. My colleague, Casey Tuggle. Stacy Smith, my assistant who keeps my life together.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband. My colleague, Casey Tuggle. Stacy Smith, my assistant who keeps my life together.

Matori (Tori) Rhett-Johnson
Effingham Market Branch Manager, Renasant Bank

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

17 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

17 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

The changing market

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

Meeting new people and building relationships.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up no matter your nationality. Make sure you’re courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My husband and my 2 daughters along with my family

Ivy Eilerman
VP, Senior Loan Officer, BankSouth Mortgage

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

22 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

22 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

A bad day is a day when I have to turn someone down for a home loan and deliver the bad news. That is never fun. It’s basically like breaking a heart. That never feels good!

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

Seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces & the faces of their families at closing! New beginnings are often very exciting, and I am honored to be a part of the adventure!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Do not underestimate the power of prayer! Don’t lose hope! Keep going, even when it feels like you are defeated. Just keep showing up every day!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My referral partners and my family!

Billi Jo R. Cape
Realtor, Next Move Real Estate

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

17 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

17 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Balancing work- life

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

Being able to be present for my kids! They only grow up once.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Keep going and keep pushing! Surround yourself with other like minded successful people to help you grow! Never stop learning and helping others!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My family and my clients!

Tammy Leggett
Owner, Hortons General Store

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

3.5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

Customer Service—30 years.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Trying to keep our products affordable for our community- while fighting inflation, shipping costs and minimum case orders increasing.

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

Being able to give other small businesses an outlet to sell their products. Seeing their growth and being a part of that journey.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Believe in yourself!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My family (husband and two daughters) and my friends.

Eva Underwood
Store Owner, Quick Cash Pawn

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

13 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

28 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Time management

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

With no fine, retail jewelers in Effingham, we fill that gap. Offering residents the next BEST thing has been the most exciting part of the job. We sell new & pre-owned fine jewelry and offer jewelry repair.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Remaining flexible in business helps with changing times. Evolve with your industry & never give up!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My family, hands down. My spouse, adult children, my mom & a few cousins have been my biggest cheerleaders! They have reminded me over the years, why I do what I do!

Mary Crouse
Owner/Instructor, Effin’ Yoga and The Beautique

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

6 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

13 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Finding a team that shares my passion to help our community.

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

Seeing people change and understand themselves physically and energetically.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Give your business time.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

My teachers and students and I appreciate them so much

Kristen Woods
New Home Advisor for Lonadine, Mungo Homes

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

2.5 years

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞?

2.5 years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Navigating the complexities of the real estate and new construction industries. Being young has also come with its own hurdles of establishing trust with our customers and other industry professionals.

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

It is very fulfilling to be a part of a buyer’s journey towards achieving homeownership. It’s the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬?

Stay true to who you are because authenticity can allow you to stand out amongst others in this profession!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬?

I am truly blessed to have the family that I do. They have cheered me on every step of the way and continue to encourage me to pursue my dreams. Similarly, the support from my teammates and leadership at Mungo Homes. I would not be who I am today without them.