C4W Member Profile: Nicole Williams

What is your profession? Owner of Purse Baby, Assistant Vice President for Claflin University. My passion is promoting safe driving.  The purse baby is a device that will help with the process.  Something just as simple as your purse falling or an item falling when you brake; can distract you from the road.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Traveling, Reading, Mentoring Youth.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? 1 Month

What inspired you to become a member? Love networking and connecting with other like minds. (Bonus:  There all women)

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? Living day-to-day inspires me to become a better woman because I have a daughter and other mentees that look up to me.  

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? It’s not about the economy; it’s the brand.  You are your brand, and if you promote yourself you are able to sell anything.  People want to be able to connect with the brand; and so they have to know how you are inspired. 

How can people connect with you?   

http://www.purse-baby.com

Twitter/Facebook/IN:  PurseBaby

C4W Business Member Profile: Teri B. Lash, Bernstein Lash Marketing

What is your profession?  Graphic Design / Sign & Print Broker / Promotional Products Distributor at Bernstein Lash Marketing.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?  Love spending time with my husband and family. Looking forward to having my first grandchild in March!

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women?  Just joined.

What inspired you to become a member?  I am a woman-owned minority business. I was lucky to inherit my father’s business.  Not many women have that opportunity. I want to help those that are just starting in business get the marketing materials they need in order to succeed in their business.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? I am sure I will be inspired to help others even more.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? I have found that more and more women are making decisions, becoming business owners and making a difference in other’s lives.  I have tried to be a mentor for those just staring out.  I have a passion for helping others.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Follow your dreams…don’t give up! 

How can people connect with you?  They can reach me by email (TLash@BernsteinLash.com) or phone (843.747.7767).

C4W Business Member Profile: Kimberly Ritter

What is your profession? Your lifetime real estate expert.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Tennis, jogging, the beach, and golf.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? Three years.

What inspired you to become a member? I love how the Center for Women inspires and promotes women to become stronger leaders.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? Increased self confidence and empowerment.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? Felt like it was an uphill battle until I realized I was my own worst enemy. I am proud to be a woman especially one with her own successful business.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Become empowered and believe in yourself.

How can people connect with you?

843.693.8802

Kimberly@KimberlyRitter.com

http://KimberlyRitter.com

C4W Business Member Profile: Mary Ross McQuage

What is your profession?  Owner of Aging Resources

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?  I love to spend time in the outdoors.  My husband is one of the owners of Sea Kayak Carolina and, fortunately for me, I love to go kayaking along the coast and in the rivers in our area.  I have a very impressive collection of shark’s teeth!

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women?  Since 2008.

What inspired you to become a member?  I came to appreciate the power and significance of women as a Women’s Studies Minor at Wake Forest University.  I believe it’s so important for women to support each other, learn from one another, and to be a resource for each other.  The Center for Women provides the structure for women in our area to do all of these things and more.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you?  Several years ago when I was going through a difficult transition in my life, I participated in a support group at the Center for Women.  I am so grateful to have had that support during that time.

I love the annual Women in Business conference.  It is so inspiring as well as an incredible venue for networking.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you?  It’s a constant balancing act – mother, wife, business owner, volunteer, friend, chef, housekeeper – among the roles we find ourselves in.  It’s not easy but I am grateful for every opportunity and having a lot of fun along the way!

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? You may have to approach your goals a little differently in this economy, but don’t let today’s economic environment be your excuse to hold yourself back.  Set your goals, get focused, seek out good mentors, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

C4W Business Member Profile: Ruth Brennan

What is your profession? Owner: Bits of Lace Fine Lingerie

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Swimming, hiking in the mountains.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? I have been involved since the beginning but just became a member this summer.

What inspired you to become a member? An opportunity to support women in their health and happiness.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? Fundraising, fitting for mastectomy patients at our boutique.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? As a mother, nurse, business owner, wife, and now new grandmother, I have recognized the need to find the time each and every day for My Time. This helps me balance the responsibility of my life in a healthy way.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Re-inevent yourself. As our society continues to present changes we must, as women, find paths that are unique to us. You can always count on CHANGE!

C4W Business Member Profile: Sandra Gaylord

What is your profession? Gaylord Design – Kitchen, Bath, and Interior Designer

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Sketching, reading, writing, taking care of dogs.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? 2008

What inspired you to become a member? When I moved to Charleston in 2007, I was looking for an organization that supported women in their personal, emotional, and business endeavors. The Center for Women met and exceeded those things. The seminars not only gave me valuable information, it was an opportunity to meet and make new friends with women’s issues at heart.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? The networking has opened business connections for me and several seminars have improved my knowledge base for operating my business.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? I feel good about being a woman today. In my early career days, things were a lot different. Those things improved my strength of character, gave me the courage to support myself and my peers in the work place against unfair practices, and taught me value of self. However, there is still work and education that needs to be done.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Offer additional services over and above what you would normally do without the extra costs. Re-evaluate items you currently use to operate your business and determine if there is a more cost effective option or if you need it at all. Think positive – it creates positive energy!

C4W Member Profile: Kathy Puzerewski

What is your profession? Entrepreneur: Previous owner Invitation Station – I’ON Square Mt. P 2004-2007 | WE*DO Fine Stationery and Invitations | Social MediaPeeps | The Wedding Isle | Coming soon, Lucky Lady Letterpress

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Being a MOM and WIFE!  Newlywed – something really are better the second time! Watching my 11 year old son (Michael’s) baseball games. Last year’s Mt. P U9 Cal Ripken All Starts State Champs – U10 Runner up this year!  We’re off to Regional’s in NC next week. Hanging out with my hubby with a nice glass of homemade pinot grigio wine or one of his awesome home brew beers. Traveling whenever possible!!  Husband works for USAir (no he’s not a pilot – never met one that wasn’t a jerk – no offense), so anytime we can get away we’re outta here!! Self acclaimed “movie-hol-ic .”  I love all the kids movies.  Just saw Horrible Bosses – thought it was hysterical. Enjoy reading (paper books that is-not sure about all this Kindle stuff – seems weird to me.) Reading/studying Numerology (Pythag’s Theory) right now – totally fascinated! Currently listening to the 4 Hour Work Week on CD in my car.  This is now my mantra! Hummm…let’s see I was recently a stand-in beer tasting judge at Westbrook Brewery (now that was fun).  MUSIC – going to Keith Urban concerts!  I am a huge groupie – used to go all his concerts! :-0 PAPER is my PASSION.  Just LOVE paper stuff…I’m getting ready to delve into Letterpress with new little letterpress I just got! I like driving.  I drive a stick shift.  Used to have a little white MGB and was in the British Women’s Car Club…BTW – I am English by birth.  Born 1969 Leeds, England.  Immigrated to US 1975 with Father.  1980 Returned to UK to go to school-Graduated 1985.  Returned to US in 1985, then in 1986 – Enrolled at CofC and have been here ever since!!!  Does that make me a NATiVE??? How could I forget – I love shopping  and a good bargain! Who doesn’t!
How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? I was a member when I had Invitation Station, but I was chained to the store so could never really participate.  I just recently joined the C4W as an individual.

What inspired you to become a member? You guys!  Impressive organization.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? So far great networking!  Hoping to be more involved.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? Not really sure how to answer this, other than I love being a woman and wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course I believe that we are the dominant sex and one day take over the universe!!

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Even in tough times with little or no money (God knows I’ve been there), there is still hope and you can do whatever you set your mind to. There are so many ways you can cut back, and scale back to save and still do what you want to do-that is, what your heart says you should be doing. There’s never a perfect time to make those life changes like starting your own business, you just have to DO IT!  But be flexible and adapt! But NEVER GIVE UP!  Don’t take NO for an answer.  Think outside the box!  Refuse to be a YES woman.  Sometimes the best action is no action. People do what they want to do, so what are you waiting for!

C4W Member Profile: Terry Haas

What is your profession? Real Estate Expert/Television Host

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Being a mom to my 2 boys, traveling with my husband and playing SCRABBLE

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? Almost 4 years

What inspired you to become a member?  I was new to the area and looking for a philanthropic networking group that would challenge me to be a better woman, business owner and support the community.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you?  Continues to show me the power that women have in the community as individuals and when we join forces, we are unstoppable! I have met some of the most amazing people who have hearts of gold and are making a true difference in the lives of women.
What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? The balancing act that women do is truly mind blowing. We wear so many hats, wife, mother, teacher, daughter, business professional and the list goes on and on. Find your passion in life, whatever it is, and RUN WITH IT!!! Take the idea, brainstorm with smart people that you trust and go for it. If you talk to enough people, are honest and have FUN with it—it will happen.