In honor of Women’s History Month, we caught up with just a handful of Frederick’s women business leaders who are helping shape tomorrow’s history, today.
Explore below as these impressive owners and executives share some of insight they’ve gained throughout their experiences:
Cheryl Cioffi
Frederick Health
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
managing employees
People are always watching to see if your actions match your words-- be positive, trustworthy and consistent. Employees want to know they can count on you to be honest, available, keep them informed, help them understand why changes are being made, and to be clear about your expectations so everyone can work towards a common goal together.
most important Thing I’ve Learned in business
As you make tough decisions, keep your organization’s mission and vision in the forefront of your thoughts.
MOST Helpful resource I’ve leveraged in MY career
As a health system COO, my priority is to build a positive work culture that is focused on achieving exceptional clinical and operational results. I have certainly leveraged my education, clinical background and administrative experiences, but the most important resource I have leveraged is my colleagues. No one person has all of the answers and we make each other stronger with our differing perspectives.
Sue Hough
Octavo Designs
Owner / Ambassador of Cool Sh*t
starting A business:
Have faith in yourself and take the leap. So many people are frozen in fear and won’t take that first step. Then, try to meet, have coffee, and pick the brains of other successful business owners that you admire. It’s great to form a network of mentors that want to see you succeed.
Building customer relations:
Treat your customers how you would want to be treated. Own up to mistakes, celebrate their successes, and don’t just meet but exceed their expectations. So many of our clients have become personal friends. It’s not work when you are helping your friends succeed.
MOST Helpful resource I’ve leveraged in MY career:
Forming strategic relationships with people who become my advocates. People are more willing to do business with people they know and trust. You don’t have to “sell” them, they will already believe that you have their best interest in mind. It’s also nice to have people in place that you can go to for advice that are in your corner.
Kathryn Ferro
Basal Therapies
Founder / Clinical Director
managing employees:
The best way to manage a team is with empathy and compassion. It is important to outline clear values and expectations for your company, and then hire people you can trust to embody those in the services they provide!
Building customer relations:
In my business, “customers” are local families. It is easy to create strong relationships with those customers by providing quality services. Each family that comes to Basal Therapies can feel that the team is genuinely invested in their child making progress!
most important Thing I’ve Learned in business:
Owning two small businesses has taught me the importance of staying consistent, especially during challenging times. I’ve learned how to set long-term goals, but then break them down into smaller steps, including action items. Each morning, I tell myself, “Stay the course.”
Tammy Feaster
Spherion Staffing
MD, PA, VA, & WV Franchise Owner
Finding worK/life balancE:
I call this the WLB - Work, Life, Balance which is one of the hardest things to do as an employee or a business owner. I have learned that you have to know when to shut one down and fully focus on the other one. When I get home there is a note walking in the door that says leave it behind you. This means when I walk in - it's time to shut work off and focus on Family.
most important thing I’ve learned In Business:
I have learned that you have to take the high's with the lows and never look at one as a success and the other a failure. We are never masters of the trade - you have to evolve and continue to learn with every step you take in growth, economic changes and hardships as a business owner.
managing employeeS:
Don't manage them but instead let them manage themselves and you serve as their guide. Let them learn by their mistakes and by correcting them it will teach them to get stronger. Employees want to feel a sense of ownership - it will give them satisfaction in the work they contribute.
Dr. Denise Rollins
Whole Heart Center
Founder & Executive Director
Best work-related advice I’ve Ever Received:
The advice I've always operated by is advice that I gave myself over 30 years ago. That is to always act as if you are self-employed. Your working relationship with an employer should be viewed as a partnership between equals. This means you do as much as you can for an organization and learn as much as you can because it benefits you both. Using this philosophy has always helped me to advance in every endeavor I've ever undertaken, whether working for others or in a business I've owned.
starting A business:
Go into your business knowing that you must operate it as a system. I read a book many years ago entitled, "The E-Myth" by Michael Gerber. He speaks about building an organizational chart where you serve in most roles initially. Then, it's about creating, mastering, and documenting every role in your organization so that eventually you can replace yourself with people who can do the job according to your vision, needs, and standards.
most important thing I’ve learned In business experience:
I've learned to invest in myself, take appropriate risks, and to choose progress over perfection. I learned these lessons after I walked away from corporate America in 2011 (as a young widow with three children at home) and decided to totally change my life's trajectory. In hindsight, it was a crazy decision that led to some bumps and bruises. Yet I would never have been in the position I am in today (co-owning a business that's essential to this community and leading a nonprofit that changes people's lives daily) if I hadn't decided to walk away from what was depleting me and run toward my purpose.
Kara Norman
Downtown Frederick Partnership
Executive Director
to a person entering the workforce for the first time:
Ask questions. Say yes to going to new events, meeting new people, whatever opportunities come your way. Learn about the people and the places in your community. The connections you build will pay off in ways you never expect.
handling work/life balance:
I am no expert but I am continually trying to achieve a better balance. I take the "try" as a success in and of itself. What helps me is reassessing my to do list everyday. What needs to happen now and what truly can happen later. I try not to create added pressure by setting up false deadlines in my head. I also think having family, hobbies, friends, etc helps you remember why you want to leave the office. When I had less going on outside of work, it was so easy to stay for just five more minutes which always became 30.
most important thing I’ve Learned in business:
People - both inside your organization and outside of it - are the most important part of achieving success.
Kathy Schultze
State Farm Insurance
Agent-Owner
starting a new business:
Have a business and marketing plan and be willing to embrace change. Have the mindset of being a life long learner and work hard.
Building customer relations:
Our customers are the heartbeat of our business. Our team has always provided outstanding customer service which is why individuals and families have done business with us for 30+- years. My community means everything to me.
One thing I would do differently
Hire more employees than I need. We are in the most challenging job market and finding excellent employees with a great work ethic is a tall task.
Shabri Moore
Moore Wealth Inc
Managing Partner
Finding work/life balance
I’m a firm believer in taking time for vacations and to play. On the east coast of the US, we tend to “live to work”, and if you are not working all of the time, there is the perception that you are not dedicated or driven. I spend a fair amount of time in Park City, UT. People there “work to live”. They are out early in the morning for a run, a hike or in the winter a few turns on the ski slopes. They work hard, but also take the time to enjoy nature and life. It’s a nice way to live!
most important thing I’ve Learned In Business:
When you are building your business, it is equally important to work both in your business and on your business. Working in your business is providing the service, building the widget or selling the product---anything that is a job. Working on your business is developing the vision and making the decisions that you need to grow and thrive. These include building the business plan, marketing strategies, sales strategies, product development and research.
Most helpful resource I’ve Leveraged iN My Career:
Business coaches. I’ve worked with 3 different coaches over the years. They each focused on different aspects of how to run a business, and I learned important lessons from each of them. Yes, they are expensive, but a good coach can propel your business to levels that would be difficult to achieve on your own.
Karen Zuccardi
TEDCO
Manager, Rural Business Innovation Intiative
Best work-related advice I’ve Ever Received:
“Know your stuff.” Meaning don’t spare any effort to become proficient in your current role due to over-focusing on the next thing. Someone gave me this advice when I got my first job after college, and it stuck with me. Realizing expertise in what you do today will help you get closer to your dream job tomorrow.
Starting a business:
To ensure the success of your product or service, it’s crucial to conduct market research beforehand. Many individuals make the mistake of pouring significant resources into their venture without verifying the existence of a strong market, only to realize later that their efforts were wasted.
To a person entering the workforce for the first time:
Build a strong work ethic early and say yes to every reasonable opportunity, no matter how small it may seem. A strong work ethic and a wide array of professional experiences at all levels will be invaluable throughout your career.
Looking to start or grow a business in Frederick? Contact our Department of Economic Development for resources and assistance at business@cityoffrederickmd.gov.