NAWBO Nashville salutes our Celebrating Women of Music City Award Nominees, presented by Nationwide Insurance. Individual nominees are recognized for their outstanding contributions to business and community. All nominees will be honored at a luncheon on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 11am – 1pm. Purchase your tickets now.
EMERGING BUSINESS LEADER AWARDS
Nominees for this award must be a business designed to generate revenue with the main leadership position held by a woman. Nominee businesses must demonstrate a positive growth trajectory, established an innovative business model, a responsive plan to market changes and a sustainable revenue model.
Under $250K
Sue Ann Cordell, Shineworthy Tea
Ms. Cordell has a great appreciation for tea and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Her journey into the world of the finest teas led her to complete Tea Business Boot Camp at the World Tea Expo in 2006 and a Master Tea Class with Bruce Richardson in 2008. She founded Shineworthy Tea in 2011 with the goal to offer the highest standard of excellence to her customers. She markets and sells her products online and in a retail store offering educational classes, special events and customer discounts. All of the teas are handpicked and hand-processed from small tea estates that practice fair trade.
Mridu Parikh, Life is Organized
Ms. Parikh is a speaker, blogger and simplicity coach for women who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. She is charting a new course in the field of organization by providing online education for her clients in more than 200 videos that allows her to reach global audiences. She combines simplicity and humor to create a connection with viewers in her videos and uses social media to keep the conversation going. Ms. Parikh is motivated by improving the quality of lives around the world to create positive change. Her goal is to empower people with the confidence and knowledge they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Dimeta Smith, Dimeta Smith CPA, LLC
Ms. Smith has been operating her own accounting firm for five years. She has more than 15 years of financial accounting, auditing, tax preparation and consulting experience. She continues to grow the firm by expanding accounting offerings to business consulting and virtual CFO services. She uses the latest technology to customize client services and ensure greater satisfaction. Ms. Smith cultivates a team approach with clients and helps them reach their financial and operational goals. She is on the path to be one of the largest minority and women owned accounting firms in Tennessee. Her firm is committed to diversity and inclusion and fosters an environment of acceptance for all.
$250K – $1 Million
Dr. Gretchen Campbell, KCA Neurology
Dr. Campbell has been in practice for more than 15 years. Her areas of expertise include headaches, peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, seizures and multiple sclerosis. Her private practice has grown steadily in the last three years and expanded to two locations. Dr. Campbell has actively taken a leadership role within the medical community to maintain viability of the small practice model. She recently founded the Tennessee Small Medical Business Association to address the unique needs of doctors who own their businesses. In 2004, she founded FEMPRO an organization of female providers of Williamson County who meet for monthly networking and educational opportunities.
Andrea Farr, Nashville Geek
Ms. Farr is a ‘geek speak’ translator and creative professional whose company specializes in strategic online solutions for clients. Her company provides unique web development, social media, search engine optimization and digital reputation management services. Sales and revenues continue to increase steadily by sticking to core values and strengths and going the extra mile for clients. She believes a well designed and optimized website is a powerful tool for any business. Named one of Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2014, Ms. Farr currently serves as the President-Elect of Nashville NAWBO. She also is the Vice-Chair of the board for the Rochelle Center.
Mila Grigg, MODA Image and Brand Consulting
For more than 10 years, Ms. Grigg has built her business on the concept that we are all created for a specific purpose. MODA helps companies and individuals discover their unique gifts, qualities and values that differentiate them, essentially their Brand. She has been told that MODA is a breath of fresh air in professional and personal training. The first and only complete brand, coaching and consulting firm of its kind—MODA serves Fortune 100 and 500 companies, mega-employers, non-profits, entrepreneurs, professional service firms and individuals. The company also provides corporate brand consulting and workforce training to communicate the brand to create growth and stability.
Erica Rains, The Chef and I, LLC
Ms. Rains, in partnership with her husband and executive chef Chris Rains, created an innovative concept to connect people through food and education. The culinary company includes a catering business, restaurant and interactive cooking classes. Ms. Rains creates unique culinary experiences to push participants to work as a team, solve problems and successfully manage time and people. Thinking outside the kitchen has allowed the company to experience unprecedented growth. She looks for opportunities to provide jobs for culinary students and partners with organizations that serve minorities. Ms. Rains is currently a participant in the Small Business Administration’s Emerging Leader inaugural program for growth and expansion.
Rachel Schaffer, Schaffer Law Firm PLLC
Entrepreneur and attorney—not two words that typically find themselves together—but that is the spirit that drives Ms. Schaffer. Her boutique law firm offers comprehensive law service for four distinct types of clients: hospitality, entertainers, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. Since 2011, profitability has steadily increased adding a full-time associate and part time legal interns from local law schools. A client-centered approach makes SLF unique in that attorneys will guide business owners through legal options customized to their needs. The company offers transparent and innovative pricing strategies to suit a variety of clients. Since inception, the company has assisted more than 100 businesses get started.
All nominees will be honored at a luncheon on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 11am – 1pm. Purchase your tickets now.