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6 Top WBE CEOs
pandemic has been that, as an essential
business, we have to fulfill our contract
terms with clients. Having our employees
on the jobsite knowing the risk that they
were going through — as well as adapting
to new regulations and mandates — was
difficult, but we were able to make a plan
and provide support to those that didn’t
feel comfortable by working outside.
Silvana Rosero
President and CEO
Laguna Media Group
Grand Prairie, Texas
Lagunamg.com
The greatest challenge
since starting my business
has been finding the right balance
between continuing to do what we know
well, while reimagining the future of our
business and acting on it. Being a trendsetter
can be challenging and energy-consuming
but instilling a culture of innovation
is critical to any business’s long-term
survival and growth.
It is important to help up-and-coming
WBEs because it’s the right thing to do
and a great way to give back. And let’s not
forget: There is nobody too small. Be nice,
be giving, be generous. Great relationships
are born when you are helping others.
Jenell Ross
President
Bob Ross Auto Group
Centerville, Ohio
Bobrossauto.com
The best reward of
owning a business is being
able to provide meaningful careers
to our team members. I also see the excitement
when customers take delivery
of their new vehicles. Knowing we have
helped them just a little bit with the second
most expensive item they will purchase
is very gratifying.
The best advice I ever got was to never
let someone deter you from reaching your
goals. There are always going to be those
in your life who don’t want to see you succeed
. Don’t let others stand in your way.
Keep pushing and thriving for what you
want and not for the sake of others.
Molly Sandlin
Founder and President
CAET Project Management
Consultants LLC
Keller, Texas
Caetpmc.com
If I knew then what I
know now, I would have built my team
with more people who know more than
me. For a long time, I tried to do everything
myself, and I should have delegated
that out to smarter people a lot sooner.
The greatest challenge in dealing with the
pandemic was struggling to find my North
Star, as clients pulled back their capital projects
. I had to think outside the box with offerings
, so we could keep the team together.
We continued to market our primary service
— project management — but we expanded
our services and are now a general contractor.
Rosa Santana
Founder and CEO
Santana Group
San Antonio, Texas
Santanagrp.com
I was always interested in
starting my own company.
When the company I was working for downsized
, I knew this was the opportunity to
make it happen. If I could give any advice to
a new entrepreneur, it would be to network,
network, network and build relationships at
every level in organizations from assistants
to CEOs. You never know which person will
advocate on your behalf and provide you
with your next opportunity.Stay humble and
grounded and be willing to respond quickly
to potential opportunities.
Billie Bryant Schultz
CEO
CESCO Inc.
Dallas, Texas
Cesco-inc.net
The greatest challenge in
dealing with the pandemic
was when the telephone stopped ringing.
There were no emails from customers. Everything
was dead! There seemed to be no
need for printing equipment, computers,
laptops, servers or cybersecurity security or
services related to our products. How we
resolved was to keep our sales and service
staff going off site. We created new jobs by
offering technical training virtually from our
manufacturers.
WBEs because they are the future of diversification
and growth in the marketplace. It
takes all of us working together for equality
. Just like my beginning in working for
the benefit of women in the formation of
WBENC where we were successful. We can
be even more successful if we are supportive
of up-and-coming WBEs in WBENC.
Wendy Spivak
Principal and
Co-founder
The Castle Group Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
in dealing with the pandemic
has been no time to take a breath.
We had to jump into the fray to guide our
events clients on what to do next. Simultaneously
, we had to learn a new way to
conduct business and do virtual events. Not
easy.I needed to keep our business afloat —
and cheer my team on.
The skills that have helped me and my
business the most are being steadfast, resilient
and strong. It takes determination to endure
two recessions and a global pandemic.
People rely on my loyalty, composure, work
ethic, problem-solving skills and that I care
about them deeply as individuals. These attributes
define our company and me.
Debra Stevens
Principal
The Stevens Group/
International Tenant
Representative Alliance
Global
Thestevensgrp.com
The best advice I can give is to never, ever
give up. Once you’re able to look in the
rearview mirror for a few minutes, you’ll
see that there were reasons for everything.
Everyone who stood in your way or laughed
at your efforts doesn’t matter now. Trust in
yourself. When you’re in your 20s, talk with
your grandparents. In your 40s, speak with
your parents, aunts, uncles — anyone who
loves you. In your 60s, think about all the
good relationships, successes and loves in
your life and go fix the few things you’ve left
undone. Take your responsibilities serious-
28
Vol. 2, 2021
weusa.biz
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