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Faith & Hope Zimmerman
Zimmerman Architects
Denville, NJ
Juggling the constantly changing family/work schedule has been our biggest challenge--getting work done and keeping business appointments while making sure the kids don’t miss their games and practices, which are often changed at the last minute.
We admire Cindy Stumpo from HGTV’s “Tough as Nails”. She heads the construction company, C. Stumpo Development, running a multi-million dollar business which constructs single family residences in the Boston area. As architects designing this type of project, we have come across very few women who do this type of construction (or any construction, for that matter). Another woman in business that we greatly admire is Oprah Winfrey. She goes after her dreams and works to improve the lives of others.
Our advice to other working moms is to be flexible with your time. If you need to leave work in the middle of the day for one of your kid’s activities, you can always work earlier or later. Schedule everything--business and personal. If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t get done!
The iPhone is our favorite technology advancement. Being able to send and receive emails from the bleachers of a softball game is critical.
We recommend:
The Life/Work Balance Seminar by Ellen Goldman
New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO)
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My mother taught me...LOGIC
"Because I said so, that's why." - Author Unknown
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Amy Broza
Paras, Apy & Reiss
Red Bank, NJ
The biggest challenge that Amy faces as a woman in business today is preconceived stereotypes. Some people say “you’re just a secretary,” but her job is much more than that! You get what you put into it...finding your “niche” is important. Amy admires Patricia Apy. "She's the smartest woman I've ever met, and she doesn't stand on pretense or hierarchy. I admire and appreciate her let's-get-the-job-done attitude." Amy loves her iPhone for calendaring, web browsing and finding lyrics (she's a musician).
Pearls of Wisdom: Don’t let what you don’t know stop you. You may not always have the answers, but must be willing to get them. It's important to set expectations.
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My mother taught me to...
APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning." - Author Unknown
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Cathy Marshall
D 2 Direct
The biggest challenge that Cathy faces as a woman in business is staying organized and balancing personal life and work. She recommends getting a nanny and using whatever tools you can to help keep you organized.
Cathy recommends Evernote technology to help stay organized. Evernote allows her to clip any notes or images off her computer (including the url info intact) and save it to her Evernote account for later use. Cathy can also capture data with her cell phone (like wine bottle labels, airline tickets, etc.) and send it to her Evernote account as well. Evernote can do word recognition searches... "say, I remember part of the name of a wine label, but not all. I can do a search of that name, i.e. 'reserve', and Evernote will search all my notes for that word, even in a picture image." (www.evernote.com)
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My mother taught me...WISDOM
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
- Author Unknown
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Ofelia Dibbenedetto
Metro Supplies and Service
As a working Mom and Grandma, balancing family and business is a challenge, especially with a seasonal business. Right now we are working six days a week and it is difficult. Something else that I find challenging is keeping up with technology and finding the right programs to run the business more efficiently. Right now we are looking for a program to records sales and keep inventory.
I believe in supporting small business owners. They keep us alive! Whenever you can, give your business to small business owners.
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I Am Woman
words and music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
CHORUS
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
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Sheila G. Dott, C.P.C.
Senior Vice President
Northeast Professional Planning Group
Red Bank, NJ
Sheila's biggest challenge as a woman in business is keeping a proper balance between home life and family needs--her own personal space and the needs of work. Sheila most admires her Mom who went back to school evenings to get her college degree and masters when she had 3 children and was pregnant with the 4th. Her Dad helped out but she was amazed by her Mom's organization skills. "We had charts with our daily chores, menu’s, cooking times, shopping lists etc."
There is nothing more important than family. Keeping connected with your family provides you with a base level of comfort that allows you to deal with stresses on the job. In order to give them and your job your best, you need to schedule time that is purely your own. We have a tendency to put everyone else first and that is not good. Have at least one habit, hobby, or time period when all you are doing is something for yourself whether it’s a book and a glass of wine, singing with a choir, a walk in the park, or a workout at your local gym.
Don’t let work intrude on your vacation time. Explain to your older children about busy times at work and have them help you by taking on some chores when things get hectic. They need those skills anyway once they are out on their own. Let them earn credits toward something they really want by doing work for you. (I got a lot of work out of an iPod Nano request.)
Sheila's favorite technology advancement has been her cell phone--so she can keep in touch with her young teen.
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“A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
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Dawn Leonard
Wulster Chiropractor
The biggest challenge that Dawn faces as a woman in business is balancing work and family and having a fun time.
Dawn admires any woman that can work full time and be a Mom. There is a lot of juggling going on and because we are women we can handle a lot--we just do it!
Dawn's advice for working Moms is... Take deep breaths and try to do something just for yourself. Try to slow down and relax and enjoy every day as a blessing.
The technology advances that Dawn appreciates are: faster computers, internet capabilities and Google Maps.
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My mother taught me...FORESIGHT
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." - Author Unknown
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Nicole Maffei
Graphic Designer
368 Design
Denville, NJ
As a young, female business owner, my biggest challenge has been learning it is okay to say "No." When I first started out on my entrepreneurial adventures, I said "Yes" to every inquiry that came my way. I've learned that saying, “No,” isn't a bad word. It actually increases the value of the things I say, “Yes” to. In general, I think any woman who can juggle business ownership, marriage, children, home and friendships is an inspiration. I've seen many women achieve success in their careers but at the expense of a family life and/or a social life. It is a constant struggle to maintain a balance so any woman who works hard and still enjoys life is someone to look up to.
Though I don't have children myself, I know a lot of working moms. One thing that I see moms struggle with is maintaining a sense of self. I come from a generation where mothers dedicated their entire lives to their children...many times sacrificing their own goals and dreams. Today it is more common to see mothers serving double duty...raising children while managing a career. As hard as it may seem, take time for yourself. You will be a better mom for it.
I Love my Blackberry. I can work in my sleep if I need to. My Blackberry goes wherever I go! It's the only way I know The Gap is having a 20% off sale this weekend.
Some of the most inspiring and helpful websites I visit daily just happen to be geared toward women business owners. LadiesWhoLaunch.com is a site that I have been reading for years and have seen an immense growth since it's inception. Their tremendous following is a true testament to the power of woman in business. The site offers a host of resources on start-ups, social media, networking and marketing.
Another great website I frequent is DailyWorth.com. They tackle topics like mutual funds, IRAs, taxes, budgeting and saving and explain things in such a way that non-financial type people like myself can understand. In a recent post, the site author related a mutual fund to a huge case of wine, holding many bottles: i.e. various stocks, bonds and other investments. Think a hip version of Suze Orman.
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My mother taught me about...STAMINA
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
- Author Unknown
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Akvila Benkendorf
Finance Manager
Benks Land Service
The biggest challenge that Akvila faces as a woman in business is trying to have a balance between work and family. She admires Mary Ellen Tribby--a very successful entrepreneur, mom to three kids and happy wife who seems like she has figured out how to balance it all.
Akvila's advice to working moms... "Your kids are never going to be at the same age again--enjoy it and take it in no matter how much work you have piled up." The technology advances that Akvila appreciates the most are those that make it possible for her to work from home.
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My mother taught me about...ANTICIPATION
"Just wait until we get home." - Author Unknown
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Judith Greenberg
Greenberg & Co, CPA
Striking a balance between raising her family and maintaining a high-quality work standard has been the biggest challenge that Judith faces as a woman in business. Judith admires Michelle Obama because she is working to strike the right balance between working and motherhood.
Judith's advice to other working moms is...not to judge yourself by other people's standards. Do the best you can in all facets of your life and know that not everything is perfect.
The technology advances that Judith appreciates the most are those that allow her to work from home.
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My mother taught me about...JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out
just like you!"
- Author Unknown
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