Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Lifestyles

Discussion

February 28, 2010

Minding their business

By JAMIE PARSELL Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Around the room, various women and men stood up, announcing their names and business organization. Besides all being from the two Virginias, they all had one more thing in common : A desire to help small business owners grow in a challenging economy. The Women’s Business and Training Center caters to women, who want to succeed in business. But according to director Tara Elder 30 percent of clients are men, also seeking training and advice. During the week of Feb. 22-26, the center recognized women in Mercer, McDowell, Greenbrier, Fayette, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster and Wyoming Counties. One award was given to a business owner, while the other award went to a friend of business in each county. The award luncheon for Mercer and McDowell County was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 in Bluefield.

“Mercer County and McDowell County are the hardest to choose from,” Elder said. “There are so many strong women. They are both strong counties.”

In Mercer County, the Center awarded business owner Susan Meredith, the owner of Hear Again, Inc. Meredith is a graduate of Gary High School and East Tennessee State University. After working for Miracle Ear Hearing Center, she opened her business in 1977. Today, she has five clinics in both Mercer and surrounding counties. Besides serving her customers, she also wants to offer her employees a financially stable career, not just a job.

“One of our goals is help employees go back to school or start a business of their own,” she said.

She is also proud of the way business owners in the area cooperate and respect each other.

“The people of Mercer County have been so kind. We have had so many opportunities to serve. The cooperation is phenomenal. I am very proud of this,” she said.

The friend of business award went to Sue Shields, who works in marketing and special events at First Community Bank. She is also chairman of the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce for 2010.

“I enjoy being a part of community organizations and business,” Shields said.

She is actively involved in the Women’s Expo, an event held each October, as well as the Salvation Army, Princeton-Athens Kiwanis Club, Bluefield, Va., Rotary and other organizations across the area.

Working with different business owners, she has discovered a passion to see results of event planning and help men and women enjoy themselves at special occasions like the Women’s Expo.

In McDowell County, the Women’s Business and Training center honored business owner Vicki McBride. She is the owner of McBride Accounting Services in Welch. A graduate of Bluefield State College, she worked for 29 years in the accounting field before opening her business on Jan. 1, 2004.

“I do appreciate this,” she said at the award luncheon. “It is such an honor and it is marvelous.”

But McBride pointed out a successful business comes from other employees in the office, who manage the front lines.

“I have two wonderful secretaries. I think they make your business,” she said.

McBride is a member of the National Society of Tax Professionals and the National Society of Public Accountants.

A friend of business, Donna Morgan, the director of the McDowell County Public Library, received an award for helping the center conduct training lessons at the library. According to Elder, friends of business like Morgan help make information and training resources available to the public. A former pre-school teacher, Morgan was once the children’s librarian at the library before leaving the area in 1996. Upon returning to Welch in 2001, Morgan became the director.

Sponsored by BB & T and New River Community and Technical College, the awards luncheon was also a way for business owners to network and discuss ways to serve the community. Elder said the Women’s Business and Training Center stays busy, but is satisfied in helping owners solve problems and promote growth. Last year, the center served 2,000 clients by offering resources such as one-on-one counseling, assistance in financing, workshops on technology and referrals. The center hopes the award luncheons across southern West Virginia show the general public how women help the economy, especially in the Mountain State. Besides recognizing the achievements of business owners and friends, the yearly event is a way to educate others about the power of entrepreneurship.



 

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