As part of this week's list of the area's largest women-owned firms, owners and executives of those businesses gave their thoughts on the Memphis market — both positive and negative — and its effect on their companies.
What is the most difficult challenge for women-owned companies to overcome in the Memphis business market?
Christi Kelley, president and CEO, Kelley & Associates Advertising Inc.: Overcoming the boys club mentality. I do see things changing for the better.
Marlene Wright, CEO, Medical Insurance Filing Services Inc.: I think a business can be whatever it wants to be by doing a job that no other woman-owned business in your field does for their customers. By doing this, you should be able to prove your capabilities and have few obstacles.
Deenie Phelan, vice president, HR & operations, Travelennium Inc.: It is difficult to truly level the playing field, i.e. to differentiate between companies that are women-owned in name only and not actually women-operated.
Elizabeth Tate, chairman and CEO, Signet Inc.: The biggest challenge I see is overcoming the perception that some people have of woman-owned companies. They assume that because you are certified as a diverse company, you are small. We are actually ranked in the top 100 in our industry nationwide.
Marcus White, CFO and Karen Pease, CEO, Well Child: We have not experienced any challenges being a women-owned company. It has actually helped us land points within the RPF process a few times and helped us win contracts against national/public organizations in recent years.
Yolanda Rubio, senior accounting manager, A-One Staffing LLC: While the numbers are growing, there are still too few female investors, which can make it more challenging to raise capital.
Do you feel like women-owned companies get their fair share of business in Memphis?
Cindy Brewer, president, LEO Events: If you work hard, work the leads and work to put your foot in the door, network and market — you get invited to participate.
Rubio: Women-owned businesses receive far fewer government contract dollars.
Patricia Sherman, CEO, Unity Hospice Care LLC: In my profession, I feel women-owned companies do get their fair share of business in Memphis. In fact, I think women do very well.
Linda Bourgeois, president and CEO, Travel Leaders/LMR: No, we do not.
Brandy Bonner Aden, president, A&B Construction Co. Inc.: Yes. Memphis has many female business owners who are strong, confident leaders managing growing businesses. Our city has many support and mentoring groups that help to propel female entrepreneurs.
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