C4W Member Profile: Sarah McLeod

What is your profession and how long have you been in that profession?
Independent Insurance Agent. 6 months

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?  

Being outdoors, spending time with husband, family, friends, and my two dogs (Raleigh and Bronco), playing and watching sports, sewing/redecorating my house, reading, thrift shopping!

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

Brand New Member

What inspired you to become a member?

I just moved back to Charleston and wanted to meet other professional women in the area!

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you?

It has been great so far and I have been inspired to work harder and help more people!

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you?

I embrace being a woman and try to use my knowledge to succeed.

What woman (living or past) do you find most inspiring?

Ellen DeGeneres for her philanthropies and for the ability to laugh that she brings to so many people.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

To go invisible!

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy?

Never give up, smile, and hold your head high.  When bad days come or the road gets rough always remember this too shall pass!

C4W Member Profile: Christina Mikolajcik-Edles

What is your profession?

Esthetician, Master Sugarist, Business Owner

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?
Traveling, driving my car, organizing things, thinking, quiet, creating a good meal, yoga, making life an adventure

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

What inspired you to become a member?
To support a great organization, connect, encourage other women and to find other women to appreciate

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you?
We’re brand new but already see the benefit of connecting with like-minded women in our community

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you?
It has given me an immense appreciation for the challenges women faced many years before me and what they accomplished in the face of adversity. “The picture” looks very different now but unfortunately there are still major stumbling blocks, particularly the negative social stigma regarding women in professional roles. I like to challenge that stigma with the strength that comes from success.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy?

If something doesn’t work I don’t consider it a failure I simply begin looking for another way to accomplish the task. Think of what a defeatist might do and do the opposite. Find a mentor and keep a list of things that inspire you. Don’t make your primary goal making money, make it about establishing and maintaining opportunities and connections—the money will come.  Do what you love for a living. Then it is not just work. Ask for help when you need it.  Think before reacting. Work with compassion and without presumption. Some of the most intense struggles of my life have blossomed into beautiful gardens and blessings.

How can people connect with you?

Walk at a fast pace beside me.  To find out where I’ll be, email me at Christina@mysweet185.com

C4W Member Profile: Sharon Becker, LISW, ACSW

What is your profession? Therapist, Private Practice

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?  Activities Outdoors – hiking, biking, running, beach and bridge walks, Reading, Cooking

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

What inspired you to become a member? Wanted to take advantage of the many interesting, useful workshops, meeting other women with similar goals and ambitions.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? It has been inspiring, educational and has served to connect me with other women in business.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? It has enabled me to nurture my spirit and embrace my unique role as the mother of “boys”. What comes from the heart goes to the heart of others.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Define your own parameters for success, Go with the flow and always have faith. Remember that what we get can be different than what we thought we wanted and this becomes a true blessing. 

How can people connect with you? Email me at beckersj@comcast.net or call my office at 843-884-0887.

C4W Member Profile: Elizabeth Beasley

What is your profession? I do a little of this & a little of that, but mostly I’m a writer and marketer. My day job is Creative Strategist and Copywriter for Kaleidoscope Youth & Family Marketing. On nights and weekends I manage marketing/social media for DuMore Improv and I write freelance articles for ApartmentGuide.com.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? I do love writing, so I’ve been trying to expand those skills into writing poetry or songs. But that’s hard. So sometimes I just like to drink wine and think about writing poetry or songs.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? This is my 2^nd year of membership!

What inspired you to become a member? I moved to Charleston in July 2012 and thought it would be a great way to meet other smart business ladies and make new friends.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? Mission accomplished – I met smart business lady friends!! Honestly, C4W has given me a great group to network with and awesome professional development classes. And that Be Brave Bash in August – so fun!

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? It’s awesome! I get pedicures, drink wine and gab with my girlfriends. But some days I find being a single female entrepreneur can be tough. Finding financial and emotional support are the biggest obstacles. Often, you feel like you are dealing with everything on your own. That’s how C4W helps me – a great support network of like-minded women.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Never stop trying and network in the unlikeliest places. Word of mouth is the best free marketing there is, but you still need to send the right message to the right people. Hanging out with your peers doesn’t always help you meet the next client. Take a risk and hang out with a group you have nothing in common with. They might lead you down a new path to a different type of customer.

How can people connect with you? At happy hour! Or email me at iebeasley@gmail.com & we’ll plan a happy hour 🙂

C4W Member Profile: Louisa Storen

What is your profession? Psychotherapist

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Gardening, exercising and reading

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? 15 years and a former board member.

What inspired you to become a member? To interact with different women from various backgrounds.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? I have met some good new friends and business contacts.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? As opposed to what? I love my life as a woman and love the other men and women in my life.
 
What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Trust in yourself, reach out to others, and be determined to succeed.

How can people connect with you? louisa@louisastoren.com or 843- 416-1103

C4W Member Profile: Sarah Swingle

Photo by Alice Keeney Photography

What is your profession? After starting my career in the advertising and Jewish non-profit fields, I decided to pursue my passion and work toward a Master’s in Animal Policy and Advocacy. I’m about halfway through my online program at Humane Society University, and upon completion of my degree, I hope to work for a national or international animal protection organization on farm animal or wildlife policy.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? I went vegan out of concern for animals in 2009, and now I write a blog called What I Vegan to show people how accessible, fun, and delicious a vegan lifestyle can be. I also love volunteering for Unchain Charleston and other organizations, watching Alabama football (Roll Tide!), reading, and hanging out with my husband and our four rescued companion animals.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? I joined in July of this year, so I’m a newbie!

What inspired you to become a member? Throughout my nearly six years in Charleston, I heard of the Center for Women, met its great staff members, thought about joining, got lost in my busy life…and forgot. I received an email about the Center’s upcoming Be Brave Bash and thought it sounded fabulous. I decided I had better join right then before I got distracted! I encourage you to join right now too if you’ve been putting it off!

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? In the short time I’ve been a member, the Center for Women has connected me with interesting, diverse, and empowered women. In fact, I went to lunch the other day with two new friends I met at orientation! There are many programs I’m interested in attending (Women Writers Forum and networking events particularly), so I’m looking forward to jumping in!

 How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? As a member of a gender that is affected by the glass ceiling (or should I say ‘concrete ceiling’ in South Carolina?), pay inequality, and other issues, living as a woman has made me aware of all the injustice in the world.  This awareness has given me a sense of social justice and is the main reason I am an activist for women’s rights, human rights, gay rights, civil rights, and, of course, animal rights.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? As much as possible, don’t let the economy keep you from pursuing your passions. Sacrifices made today might translate into a dream come true in the future if you set your sights high!

How can people connect with you?

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/sarah-swingle/6/282/8b7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhatIVegan

Twitter: @what_i_vegan

C4W Member Profile: Kristina Ramirez

What is your profession? Director of Be a Mentor, a local nonprofit that helps at-risk children reach their full potential by matching them with volunteer mentors for our school-based programs.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Spending time with my husband and 18 month old daughter, reading, visiting family, playing sports, travelling, drinking coffee and volunteering.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? 10 months

What inspired you to become a member? A networking forum I attended in November. After I heard the Executive Director’s speech at the time, I was thoroughly inspired by her words and knew I had come to the right place.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? This group is extremely supportive of us as women and professionals. It brings very different women together from all walks of life and allows us to remember just how much we have in common.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? As a wife, working mom and Director of a nonprofit, I am required to play many roles (as most women in today’s world are). While this used to overwhelm me, and even still does at times, I’ve become much more aware of how these roles are all intertwined with one another and feel blessed for the incredible power of influence we are given as women on a daily basis. The Center for Women does a great job of not only reminding us of this, but not letting us take it for granted, either.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Find your passion and pursue it – no matter what anyone says! Build as many relationships as you can with good people and do not take them for granted. These are the two rules that make me excited to get out of bed each and every day, and I would not have it any other way.

How can people connect with you?

Email: kramirez@beamentornow.org

Phone: (843) 554-5987 (office)

Website: www.BeAMentorNow.org

LinkedIn: http://lnkd.in/jDJnMe

Twitter: @BeAMentorNow

                @BAMkramirez

C4W Member Profile: Kim Wright Brown

What is your profession?  Associate VP Development, Carolina Youth Development Center.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Spending time with my husband Dean and family, entertaining, travel, being a good friend and I love watching college football (Gamecock Fan)!

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women?  I just joined as an individual. I have had the good fortune of being involved with my previous company over the past couple of years and would not miss being a member.

What inspired you to become a member?   I have been inspired, supported and encouraged by many of the women I have met at the C4W over the past few years.  The Women & Power series is exceptional and the opportunity to meet and get to know the talented and amazing women in the Charleston business community is not to be missed. 

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? There are so many opportunities to get involved, learn, or share with other women.  The connections I have made at C4W have helped in all areas of my life, personal to professional.  It is a tremendous resource.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you?  I had an amazing mother, who taught me I could do anything, be anything I wanted.  She instilled in us all to believe in ourselves and be good to yourself.

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy?  Dream BIG! Help each other…I love a quote that was in Time Magazine several months by Taylor Swift…she said

“There is a place in hell for women who do not help other women.”

Reach out, connect with other women (and men).  It is a tougher road alone.

How can people connect with you?

a)      Email – kbrown@cydc.org

b)      Phone – (843) 266-5218

c)      Facebook – Carolina Youth Development Center

d)      Website – www.cydc.org

f)       LinkedIn – Kim Wright Brown

C4W Member Profile: Alice Paylor

What is your profession? Lawyer in private practice.  Currently President of the SC Bar.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career?  Shopping, fast walking, swimming, biking and working out.

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

What inspired you to become a member? Jennet Alterman is my heroine.

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? It is comforting to know that it is there.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? I would not have it any other way.  I love being a woman and pushing myself to get out of the stereotypical box and, instead, doing things that are outside of my comfort level. 

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Find your passion and pursue it.  If you love what you do, you will be great at it. 

How can people connect with you? Email – apaylor@rrhlawfirm.com

C4W Member Profile: Jaime Moore

What is your profession? I own Carolina Classic Clothing, which features the exclusive ETCETERA clothing line.  Four times a year, my home becomes a pop-up-boutique and women have the opportunity to shop at trunk shows and purchase high-quality, exquisite clothing.  From career,  to casual, to evening elegance.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your career? Civic work, entertaining, gardening, motorcycle riding, cooking, fine wine and theatre.

How long have you been a member of the Center for Women? I was a previous member for two years and re-joined in June 2013.

What inspired you to become a member? My life is blessed beyond belief and I wanted to give back and support women who may not be as fortunate.  C4W truly is a great organization!

What kind of impact has the Center for Women had on you? From my past membership, the impact for me personally was networking and relationship building.

How has living day-to-day as a woman affected you? I think women have the hardest job in the world.  We are expected to be everything to everybody.  The juggling act we do is no less than miraculous!  As a woman, I feel I have had to run faster, jump higher, out-bake, out-maneuver, and attempt to out-think any man on the planet in order to prove myself in business, being a wife and mother, serving on a variety of boards, keeping a home and caring for myself.  You see where I rank!  I listed “caring for myself” last!

What kind of message would you like to send out to women who are trying to succeed in today’s economy? Be prepared to sacrifice.  Never stop believing in yourself.  Don’t stop trying.  For every ten people that say no to you, remember that it only takes one to say yes.  Network – network – network!  Ask other successful women for resources and advice.

How can people connect with you? There are multiple ways to reach me:

a)      Email – jaime_moore@bellsouth.net

b)      Phone – (843) 408-5419

c)      Facebook – Carolina Classic Clothing

d)      Website – CarolinaClassicClothing.com

e)      Pinterest – Carolina Classic Clothing

f)       Linkedin – Jaime Moore

g)      Twitter – CCCbyJaimeMoore