THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

In life, we all find ourselves naturally drawn to certain people. The desire to be around people varies. In my case, I’ve always felt especially drawn to my dear friend, Bessy Lee-Oh. When it comes to business and life, this woman never ceases to exude an abundance of positive energy. That, coupled with her “I always get it done” work ethic, and she quickly transforms into “Super Bessy” - a business powerhouse by day, loving mother and woman by night.

Bessy is lovingly referred to as “the United Nations” of Greenspun Media Group, where she serves a critical role in the company’s advertising department. She devotes copious amounts of her time to build and diversify Southern Nevada’s business community with a particular focus on the Asian American community. Honored by the Asian Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas in 2008 as its “Member of the Year,” Bessy works diligently to build international business relationships with local and international leaders to build a better Nevada.

She is a dreamer with attitude. A person who truly believes that every one person makes a difference and that every one person can change the world. She is my dear friend and someone who will always be close to my heart.

BESSY LEE-OH
Account Executive
Greenspun Media Group

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: Hardwork and good ethics taught by my parents at a very early age. I started working at the age of five-and-a-half years old in Chinatown, NY. I learned that if I do something to help someone, I received money for my effort. That was good since it allowed me to always buy my favorite chocolate bar! Very simple.

Q: You take the business of sales to an entirely different level. In fact, people in the community refer to you as the “united nations” of Las Vegas. How did this business nickname come about?
A: I was a one of the early groups that went through Diversity Training at the MGM Mirage, I was a Diversity Champion and later a facilitator for other Diversity training sessions. I was married into that culture because of MGM Mirage and it stayed with me since. Once I joined GMG, I started to pay attention to the ethnic chambers and it was an easy fit for me. Once I started attending the different ethnic chambers around town, I was getting introduced to other organizations that wanted me to join and support. It just kept growing in that direction.

Q: As a business person, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: Making GOAL!

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: It has to be drive. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have drive to accomplish anything, what’s the point? When you have both, then you are UNSTOPPABLE!

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: Honesty. Advising my clients on all the different marketing tools and options they can take advantage of and to never sell them anything they don’t need. You really need to approach relationships as a business partner, not as sales representative.

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: Being careful with who you can trust when pursuing your dream. No one will ever be as passionate as yourself with your own idea/dream. When I branched out to start my own publication, I had many partners that all promised to bring different things to make this dream a reality, they all seemed to share the same passion and focus. Unfortunately, after spending over $250,000 of my own money and the funds dried up, partners ran off and never another word as if we didn’t work together. It was a good lesson learned and glad I learned it now instead of later.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: This advice is for men and women: “Eliminate expectations from your life” If you don’t have expectations of others, you are never disappointed. Allow for daily pleasant surprises. It takes a lot of practice and not easy to do, especially with friends and family members. You can never stop your own expectations of yourself, but that is okay. It serves as a self-motivator.

MORE AS TO WHY BESSY IS ON MY A-TEAM:
KLAS TV8: I-Team: Asian Population, Culture Skyrockets in Las Vegas
USA TODAY: In a twist, USA's Asians are heading to the Mountain West
AsianAm
LinkedIn: Bessy Lee Oh

THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

I hold great admiration for General Colin Powell, his accomplishments and his style as a statesman. In fact, for years I’ve had a saying posted at my office on his thoughts regarding leadership. I’ve also always enjoyed his thoughts on the issue of striving for excellence. He said: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” Excellence is precisely the word I am using to introduce my dear friend and colleague, Lisa Chao.

I have yet to meet another professional who completely devotes herself to the success, happiness and positive growth of her business and family. Although most working women/moms/wives/community volunteers/do-it-all-gals provide 100% of themselves already to their daily endeavors (although it often feels like 150%) – Lisa gives more than that. The only reason I know this is possible? I’ve seen her in action.

Lisa is my own daily reminder that human kindness still exists, that there are “partners” in life and in business who have a heart and want to see you, not solely themselves, succeed. This quality, this commitment to personal excellence every waking minute of the day (she proves it is possible) is precisely why Lisa is on my A-team.

P.S. Yes, she’s also a blast to spend time with. (Bonus) For the record, specialty photos, like the one pictured bottom right, come at a cost of $10 per piece as they are in high demand nowadays.

LISA CHAO
Owner/Founder
Me Promos

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: Hard work followed closely by a little risk and a whole lot of consideration for my family and how my decisions impact them. I am where I am in life because of the support of my husband, Paul. He’s a good man.

Q: Tell me about your business? Where does your passion for marketing originate from?
A: I truly do thrive on my clients and their success. I love nothing more than when a client runs a great promotion and is the rock star they know they are and can be. Recently I had a client tell me that her competition thinks she’s a genius based off of a product solution that I gave to her. I have been in this business for 13 years yet still very much find the joy in what success my clients derive from my efforts in helping them. Helping people never gets old.

Q: As a business person, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: Always working toward being the best “me” I can be is challenging – whether it’s to be the “best” creative consultant to clients, mother, wife, boss, volunteer, fan of my kids sports, etc. Living a balanced life takes considerable work. I strive daily to be more and more focused and purposeful so that I can be as productive as possible at work and at home with my family.

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: Drive. Even if you don’t have all the talent in the world, you will still figure out how to achieve what you want provided you have the drive to accomplish it. Drive will prove where there is a will, there is a way.

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: My ability to find the “good” in everyone and every situation. I’ve always found that most people have good intentions, but from time-to-time they have bad days (like we all do). Empathy for others is key to success as well as personal happiness. I always ask myself: What am I supposed to learn from this situation?

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: To trust people, but not to a fault. Just like most entrepreneurs I’ve been in those situations where personal contacts had good intentions, I provided the service yet never was paid for the services I provided. It happens. You just learn to moderate yourself a bit better after being burned a time or two.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: When it comes to work-life balance, most women struggle. We all need to understand the life happens in waves – some days (or weeks) are more focused on work, others more on family – you just need to ensure that the tide continues to shift and everyone stands to gain equal time from you.

THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

Since our meeting over seven years ago, Denise and I have managed to run into one another, hear about one another and be referred to one another time and again. Just last fall, the two of us decided that our casual run-ins were no longer good enough. Instead, we decided, we’ll plan our meetings. In fact, we decided that the two of us would send the other one a periodic email between our meeting times that would include thought provoking, kick-in-the-butt ideas to get both of our engines revved up. It’s been great so far.

Yeah, yeah … Denise is a seasoned financial planner, one of the best in the “biz,” but it’s her super energetic way and love of life that has a magnetic appeal to everyone she knows including her life-long love (her husband), her grown children, her clients and many of "us" out there in our community. She loves her family to her very core, is a music enthusiast and musician herself. She’s the adventurer most of us daydream about someday being.

It’s that crazy-cool nature coupled with her kick-in-the-butt mentality that is precisely why Denise is on my A-team.

DENISE WILCOX
Certified Financial Planner
Wilcox Advisors, Inc.

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: I’d like to say that it was through a series of well executed plans and not happenstance. Actually it’s a combination of both. I was advising people on life-matters long before I became a financial planner. Money management is a very personal matter and it seemed a natural for me to combine compassion and science into a holistic approach to helping people make the most of what they have.

Q: Tell me about your business. Where do you derive your passion for helping people when it comes to financial planning?
A: My firm is a registered investment advisor and as such we have a fiduciary obligation to our clientele to act on their behalf first and not for our own benefit. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ I am also bound by a code of ethics that I take very seriously. With these credos underlying our business model we provide financial planning and investment management for a professional fee and not a commission. Also, my continued passion comes from the relationships I have with my clients. It is one of mutual respect and caring, with a little humor thrown in for good mix!

Q: As a business person, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: As an owner it’s always hard to delegate responsibility. The need to maintain quality control means I have a hard time stepping away and letting another prove they are equally as good! I’d like to think I’m learning. This is what I tell my business clients to do!

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: That’s a hard one. I think you have to understand what drives you. Some are driven by money, others by recognition, and sometimes just by a need to prove oneself. I actually think with enough drive you could be successful but talent plays a role in knowing once you’ve arrived how to keep what you created.

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: My listening skills. I always begin my first meeting by asking prospective clients what the catalyst was for them seeking advice. From there I encourage them to share their dreams, challenges and greatest concerns. With listening comes understanding. Understanding results in recommendations that are in synch with their values, their aspirations and dreams. This is when the motivation for them to work hard towards their goals really comes to life.

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: Every person, single or married, male or female, has to know their money situation and never completely turn it over to any one person. My father died of a massive coronary at home at the age of 47. Unfortunately, I found him along with my little sister. That moment my life changed forever. My mother was unable to function for a long time due to shock. My father had always managed the household budget and financial matters. My mother was completely in the dark. I truly believe that the experience set me in a direction of wanting to be in the service industry in some way that could prevent other’s left behind from having to deal with a financial mess in the midst of grieving.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. Define what you want, surround yourself with only the best people, stay healthy in body and mind, and take a vacation.

More as to why Denise is on my A-team:
Planning financial futures becomes 'a pleasure'
A Crowd of Small Adventures

SOCIAL SCHMOCIAL: Terminology doesn’t matter but using it does

Watching professionals rally around an innovative service or product is exciting, especially when they begin jockeying for the newest “guru” position and do so by creating their own unique terminology for something someone else has already coined another way. It’s the way of the business world and is especially true when it comes to social media marketing.

When it comes to marketing in the realm of social media, social networking or social [insert your own choice terminology here], watching professionals jockey for the lead social “guru” position has been especially entertaining. The social atmosphere has created a completely new dynamic for professionals, stay-at-home mothers, kids and corporations to take part in, build a business upon and to communicate with one another. Everyone is racing to become the new social “it” professional.

However, for those in business who don’t dabble in the marketing profession and marketed their business in a very different way up until just 10 years ago (when faxing was still considered a channel to market to others), the idea and use of these social tools can seemingly be a daunting task. Yet, the philosophies are still quite the same as before.

So, if you’re scratching your head while trying to understand what the newly formulated terminology means that is being coined daily by countless marketing “gurus” while you are simply trying to easily embrace and use it for your business, I’m happy to state a few facts to help clarify any confusion you may have.

Social Media vs. Social Networking – Defining the specific terms for these and other “social” tools doesn’t matter to the everyday business person. Regardless of whether someone refers to it as a tool, a channel, a way to disseminate information versus sharing information interactively one thing remains absolutely the same – it’s “social.” Communicating within the social atmosphere is still similar to communicating via attending a traditional networking event – “face time” is still critical (now it’s “virtual face time”), exchanging information is key, employing proper etiquette is still crucial (now they call it “netiquette”) and thorough follow-up and development of your network is imperative to building your business (the same goes for social efforts).

Approach being “social” online just as you would being “social” in-person – Be responsive, provide resourceful information, connect people to one another, be amusing, create and maintain your own personality while ensuring you are presenting yourself in the best and most respectable way possible. Think before you post (just as you would think before you speak). Monitor your social efforts online just as you would in-person – follow-up, maintain your sites, provide fresh topics to discuss with others.

We know that we can enhance our business efforts by leveraging social media. Why? One reason: It where the largest amount of people “gather” and we’re able to aggregate and/or segment our communication efforts (push and pull) to these different audiences. Online is where our customers, colleagues, friends and family members “exist” when we’re not able to network with them face-to-face.

Still confused? I’ll finish with this… Don’t let others who are defining the terminology of what the online social environment is or is not impede your own interest to pursue it as an avenue to create a marketplace for your business online. Like many things that develop in the constantly evolving online world, everyone is still wrapping their brains around the still relatively new concept - and that concept changes nearly every week.

THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

We all know people who always seem to be able to take trash and turn it into treasure. The ability to find uses and opportunities in items others typically dismiss is a rare quality to find. In fact, television networks like HGTV and the History Channel create entire shows around trash-to-treasure talent.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing one of Las Vegas’ foremost trash-to-treasure crafters, Island Girlz Jewelry founder Marlene Reid, for more than six years now. Besides giving me the gift of a fantastic husband (Marlene is also my mother-in-law), she’s been an inspiration to me as well. She’s a one-woman, “green” craft making machine and has created quite a name for herself in Southern Nevada by creating one-of-a-kind, recycled jewelry … for fun. And, as you know, if you can combine fun, creativity and financial success together in your day-to-day business endeavours, well, you’re a lucky gal. Together these efforts are not easy to accomplish, but Marlene’s ability to overcome these challenges is precisely why she’s on my A-team.

Recently Marlene was recognized by Desert Companion Magazine as one of Las Vegas’ “Best of the City: People.” In the article, Marlene calls her work “fashion with a conscience.” I love that.

MARLENE REID
Founder/Crafter
Island Girlz Jewelry

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: So many things along the winding road of life have brought me to this point but two stand out in my mind. First, I have wonderfully supportive people in my life. It’s their voices of love and encouragement that have gotten me to where I am today. Secondly, hard work - plain and simple. Get it done!

Q: Tell me about your business. Where do you derive your passion for recycled crafts and jewelry?
A: There are a number of things that fuel my passion and inspire my handmade jewelry and accessories. First and foremost, I am a child of the ‘70s and still have that mentality that everyone should take the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Upcycling “trash” is my way of trying to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet. I want my grandson, Brayden to be able to enjoy all the natural wonders the world has to offer. Secondly, I am my father’s daughter. He was the ultimate recycler, even before recycling became politically correct. When I was a child, I can remember cringing when he’d say, “Let’s go for a walk,” which really translated into, “We’re going to pick up aluminium cans.” Now I smile whenever I think of how proud he’d be to see what I’ve created out of “trash”. It’s these things that give me my creative vision and challenge me when designing new pieces.

Q: As a business person, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that I want to do. I am constantly challenged in trying to strike a balance between family, work, creative time, business details and time to play with my dog, Puzzle.

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: If I’ve learned one thing in all my years as a creative person, it’s that you must have the drive to take your passion to the next level. I’ll be the first to admit that for years I only half-heartedly attempted to make the jump from hobbyist to business person. Then several years ago an acquaintance took one of my creative ideas and turned it into a semi-successful business. That was the wake-up call I needed. To make a long story short: talent is wasted without drive.

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: The ability to keep things organized has been the key trait for me. I juggle so many things that without that single skill, I’d be sinking in quicksand.

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: The toughest lesson I’ve learned is to have faith in myself. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with two wonderful sons who have always believed that I am someone with special gifts. Their support and the support of a very special group of girlfriends helped me find the strength to believe in “me”.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: Believe in yourself and follow your dreams for life is too short for regrets. You know that saying: you can make it happen if only you believe. It really is true.

More as to why Marlene is on my A-team:

Best of the City: Shops + Services, People + Places + Community
Handmade In Vegas promoting Henderson'sThird Thursday Artwalk
Local 200-person artist and craft group working to raise $10,000 to support Gulf oil spill wildlife rescue efforts
Island Girlz Jewelry Facebook

THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

I have always loved the saying: Good things come in small packages. It’s true. What’s even better is a good thing that is wrapped up into a small professional package, such as my 5 foot 2 inch friend Rebecca Fay, who also happens to be the kindest, funniest yet spitfire of a business gal I know.

Don’t let her amusing ways fool you. She knows her business, knows how to elicit a response from others and does so in a way that makes you feel as though you’ve just done her the world’s largest favour. (She’s a pro. It works on me and I've seen her use her powers, for good, on others.)

As the foundation administrator of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Rebecca develops and oversees the programming of services that help train, support and lead our small business people to success. It’s a challenging job. And, as a non-profit based organization her efforts rely heavily on developing positive relationships with people throughout the community.

I call this spirited, get ‘er done, good-thing-in-a-small-package friend of mine “Mrs. Henderson.” She’s my go-to gal and a professional who puts herself into unfamiliar territory and always, let me repeat – always, makes magic happen.

REBECCA FAY
Foundation Administrator
Henderson Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: There certainly wasn’t a blueprint on to get here. I got where I am today via a combination of things be it overcoming adversity, knowing what I absolutely did not want and having a great support system to make it all happen.

Q: Tell me about your organization. Where do you derive your passion for helping Henderson's business community?
A: Our organization has a mission of strengthening the community through programs and services. My passion stems through the professional relationships that tend to develop as a result of what I do day-to-day. I have the privilege of working with many amazing leaders in our community. They all do great things and its energizing to be surrounded by those types of people all day long. I really do love my job.

Q: As a business person, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: There are too few hours in a day to get all things accomplished. It’s difficult to say “no” when someone needs something from me. I want to see them succeed and I enjoy being a part of that success. It’s the part where I have to carve out that extra time that is incredibly difficult to do. I need a 48-hour, not a 24-hour day!

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: Talent and perhaps a little luck as well. They are both equally important but if you have talent it will shine through.

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: Strong relationships. They are crucial to in doing business. I would not be able to accomplish everything I do without assistance from all of the people I know, which has been through the development of positive relationships I have built over the years.

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: You can’t please everyone. I’m a pleaser by nature. It used to be devastating to me when I thought I had failed someone. Nowadays, I’ve learned to simply brush myself off and get back in the saddle when those situations happen.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: Just when you think you can’t do it, take look at yourself in the mirror and really look at yourself, the person you are and remember all that you have overcome and accomplished. You will find a way to make everything you want happen, because that’s what women do…make it happen.

More as to why Rebecca is on my A-team:
Henderson Business Resource Center
Leadership Henderson
Residents can take free classes in computers, resume building and other programs
The Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit remains strong in a trying time
Institute for Organization Management – West Coast Advisors

THE A-TEAM: Amazing Women Professionals & Friends

Every once in a while life delivers good news. Good news can come in the form of a clean bill of health, a new addition to the family, a new business lead, a happy customer or a new friend. In my case, life delivered me friend/amazing attorney, Brooke Borg, nearly two years ago.

Brooke practices real estate, corporate, estate planning and probate law here in Nevada. She’s intelligent, innovative, driven, real and just plain likable. (Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a “lawyer friend” in my book.)

Brooke started her legal practice nearly one year ago. In fact, March celebrates her first anniversary of being in business for herself. During an economic slump, especially here in Nevada, there are some business trailblazers who create their own success and happiness. Brooke is one of those people.

She’s a mid-western gal who believes in helping others, is a dedicated wife and a mother of two. She is also my work suit accessory role model. (Inside joke.)

BROOKE M. BORG, Esq.
Founder/Attorney of Borg Law Group
Borg Law Group Website

Q: How did you “arrive” where you are in life today?
A: With a lot of support from my family and friends. I wanted to be an attorney and a mom for as long as I can remember. I kept telling myself I could and would be both someday and, with a lot of hard work and support when I wanted to give up (a few times), I did it. My number one priority in life is my kids, Avery (4) and Landon (4 months). They are my greatest accomplishment...well, our greatest accomplishment. I guess I have to give my husband, Matt, some credit.

Q: Tell me about your business. Where do you derive your passion for practicing law?
A: My passion for helping people comes from my mother. She is the most giving, loving, compassionate person I know. I knew I wanted to work in a field that helped people. I don’t have the patience to be a teacher or the stomach to be a doctor so the practice of law seemed to be a great alternative and fit for me.

Q: As a business owner, what are you most challenged with day-to-day?
A: I struggle with maintaining a balance between generating work and actually “doing” the work. If it were up to me, I would be out “rainmaking” everyday. I love meeting new people and educating them about how I can help them and what I do as an attorney. However, the work needs to be done as well.

Q: What is more important, talent or drive?
A: I think drive is definitely more important. I look at talent as something you can develop with practice. Drive is something you are born with.

Q: What one trait has helped you most in business?
A: My ability to look at the bright side of any situation has helped me the most. You are always going to have days when you are down and out and have something happen to you that isn’t ideal, but your reaction to what has happened can either make or break you.

Q: What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
A: No matter how hard you try, not everyone is going to like you. There have been times when I really wanted to land a big client or impress someone older and wiser than me. When it comes down to it, people are either going to like you or not. I’ve learned over the years that not everyone is going to be your “ideal” client. I love doing business with people who “get” me and I “get” them. If we don’t mesh well from the beginning it’s going to be a constant struggle on both of our parts to maintain that relationship and that’s too much energy spent that could be spent on something else.

Q: What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
A: Be who you are and pave your own path. Clients and colleagues will respect that.

More as to why Brooke is on my A-team:
March 24 Workshop: Estate Planning – What happens to your business if something happens to you?
Walking On Broken Glass: 10 women impacting business in Southern Nevada
Even in economy slumping, companies will do well to keep legal services
“Work/Life Balance”
Nevada’s Legal Environment Has Seen Many Changes As a Result of the Economy

Growing number of Nevada start-ups increases need for personal and professional legal needs