Thinking Like Entrepreneurs

Three fascinating women with three completely different paths to entrepreneurial success encouraged our Sterling Bank Women's Business Initiative attendees in San Antonio to "Think Like Entrepreneurs". These inspiring women are:

 

Kathy Acock - President - Alpha Building
Kay Chiodo - President - Deaf Link and Services by Vital Signs
Ofie Garza - President - Consolidated Office Systems

 

Their motivations to become entrepreneurs are as varied as their businesses. Kathy Acock was working in her family's construction business. Though her father had always stated that this male dominated firm would be led by a man, when her father died, Kathy had to decide if she wanted to become a second generation business owner or close the business. Her decision to continue has led her son to choose to become a third generation owner when Kathy chooses to relinquish her current role. Kay Chiodo became a child entrepreneur, selling food from the orphanage where she lived. Deaf children in the orphanage accepted her as a friend and taught her to sign. This skill instilled her passion for serving deaf persons and provided the foundation for her businesses. Ofie Garza was also a child entrepreneur, selling Jello cubes to neighborhood children. She was a clerk in a small store and overheard the owner of the store across the street, where she bought office supplies, tell an employee that he wanted to get rid of his office supply business. She offered him $1500 for the inventory, thus launching her business that is in its 38th year.

Kathy, Kay and Ofie learned many of the skills they’ve needed to thrive, the hard way. Important abilities they highlighted that have propelled their success include:

• Counseling, teaching, coaching, mentoring and role modeling the behavior they expect
• Negotiating
• Carefully and consistently watching finances and conducting audits
• Recognizing the ability of others, respecting the value of every team member’s contribution and sharing credit for successes
• Vision
• Being true to self
• Belief and passion
• Doing what you say you will do  

Quotes from these accomplished women provide memorable insight for “Thinking Like Entrepreneurs”:

 

Every relationship and every business needs TLC. (Ofie)
If you know where you are financially, you know how bold you can be. (Kathy)
Each barrier is someone who hasn’t said yes yet. (Kay)

 

As these three leaders have demonstrated, entrepreneurial thinking positively impacts our businesses and careers.