“In honor of Women’s History Month, I asked six clients who are women owned businesses to answer two questions about their success in business and one piece of advice and encouragement they would offer to other professional women. Each of these six women come from different industries and in most cases are trailblazers and trendsetters. Here are three of the women I highlighted. I highly recommend you read the advice and encouragement of the other three women too by clicking here.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to have worked with each of these women in identifying the right commercial real estate solution in Tampa Bay. I believe business is more than a transaction and I love working with companies who have an aligned mission. I can confidently say each of these women practice what they are sharing. Check out their website to learn more about their companies. If you have the opportunity to work with any of these women below, you could not be in better hands. Here’s to Tampa Bay, our business women leading the charge, shattering glass ceiling, making room at the table, spear heading initiatives and driving the heartbeat of our economy!” – Chelsea Drinkard
Arlene DiBenigno
Managing Partner Conversa & President & CEO of Women’s Conference of Florida
About Arlene:
Arlene has been a trusted adviser on political campaigns, policy development, grassroots outreach and ballot initiatives for more than two decades. She has conducted public outreach for three separate Florida governors and their administrations and has influenced presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional campaigns within Florida, Michigan, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
In early 2014, Arlene and her business partner, Kelsey Lehtomaa Frouge, founded Conversa, a full-service communications firm with a concentration in crisis communications, public relations, web and graphic design, digital marketing, community engagement and special events. Conversa has worked with numerous national, statewide and local clients including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and HART.
Arlene has consistently witnessed women at a standstill and wary of their own ability to make a difference. As a result, Women’s Conference of Florida was formed.
Best piece of advice for women in business:
“Throughout the years I have met so many women who have come to me for advice and one of the things I hear most often is how unhappy they are with their jobs because they aren’t getting what they think they deserve. This of course leads me to, ‘Well, did you ask?’ I would say about 95% of the time I am met with a look of surprise and resounding, ‘I can’t do that!’ If you can’t advocate for what you want then who is going to do it for you?
Which leads me to the best piece of advice I can offer women in business, be confident, not confrontational, in asking for what you want and deserve. Whether it’s a pay raise, opportunity to lead a project or a promotion. Do your research, including the value add you bring to the table and ASK. In every industry women bring different perspectives which are extremely valuable to their companies/organizations and walking in your self-value with confidence, not arrogance or fear, is extremely powerful.
Key ingredient to your company’s growth:
The key ingredient to Conversa’s growth is ensuring that the person I chose as my business partner shared my same values, business mission and was steadfast in her principles. There will be many days when the outcome wasn’t what you expected or tough decisions need to be made regarding client projects, business investments or hiring/firing of employees and if you don’t share the same philosophy the damage can be irreparable. Similar to a marriage, tough conversations need to be had on the front end; ‘what is the makeup of the clients we want to represent? Financially what can we say yes/no to? What type of employees do we want representing our company? Are we willing to walk away from clients/projects that cease to align with our values?’ Growth is the result of good decisions and good decisions are the result of strong communication so communicate often and honestly.”
Lindsey Smith
Founder and Director of All That Dance
About Lindsey:
Lindsey Smith began dancing at three and specialized in acrobatics and tumbling at the age of eight. She studied at All American Dance Factory in Tampa, FL under the direction of Terri Howell for eleven years. Lindsey taught at All American Dance Factory for ten years and learned the ins and outs of running a dance studio.
Lindsey started All That Dance when she was living in Boynton Beach, FL. Five years later, Lindsey and her family moved back to the Tampa area. In 2014, Lindsey opened their first Tampa dance studio. This is the fifth year of All That Dance in Tampa and has grown the studio to three dance rooms and over four hundred students.
Best piece of advice for women in business:
“I would say that my one advice to women in business is to love what you do and be your best at it. I feel proud and accomplished everyday knowing that I get to provide for my family doing what I love and also what I was trained to do. I am proud of my college degrees but I am so happy that I can go to work each day doing something that comes natural to me and that brings a smile to my face.”
Key ingredient to your company’s growth:
“I believe that ATD has been successful because I have a positive attitude and gain satisfaction from the studio. Every day I am reminded that I am making a positive influence in children and parent’s lives by providing them a service such as dance. It is such an amazing feeling watching the dancers perform and gain confidence as performers.”
Margarita De Le Rosa
CEO of Well-Being Community Center
About Margarita:
Margarita was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to the United States in 2004. In 2016, Margarita received a Masters in Mental Health. Margarita is very proud to say that besides her career and entrepreneurial journey, she is a wife and mother of her beautiful three-year-old daughter.
Well-Being Community Center is committed to carrying out an effective and efficient management of Health Services and striving to be a leader in the medical field. Well-Being focuses on emerging health priorities, collaborating with Federal agencies and partners. Our daily focus is educating the public, providing support and innovative health programs geared specifically to the community needs.
Best piece of advice for women in business:
“I believe that being mission focused, helping people and giving others the opportunity to do the same. We’ve experienced rapid growth in our Miami office and is reflected by our client’s satisfaction and heath improvement. We are grateful for the community impact we’ve made in Miami and look forward to reflecting the same if not more, here in Tampa for years to come.”
Key ingredient to your company’s growth:
“I believe having all the necessary tools to provide a high-quality service to clients. For us, focusing on achieving our clients’ wellbeing goals is at the forefront. Having a multidisciplinary structure, with well trained personnel in the medical field with maximum respect and professionalism through our devoted and committed staff has been a key to our success.”