SUCCESS STORIES
The vision of GWBC is to be the premier organization for women businesses, major corporations and government entities. We are proud of their commitment to volunteer, mentor, and partner to build a community of sustainable women businesses.
We bring our mission to life through our programs and signature events that are the cornerstone of GWBC, but our people truly make it happen. We deeply appreciate the belief our HEROs and SHEROs have in our mission, and their commitment to our success.
Each constituent adds to the diverse culture of GWBC. From ethnicity, products, services, backgrounds, business models and talents. There is a unique since of community and a sincere desire to share and inspire one another to grow. This is woven throughout the tapestry of the organization.
If you have a compelling story, success or experience to share, please submit to info@gwbc.org for consideration.
GWBC Radio: Jessica Lowery with The POWER of Elderberries
Jessica Lowery is the Founder & CEO of The POWER of Elderberries. Years ago, when she found herself curled up in a ball on the waiting room floor of the doctor’s office desperate for relief from her flu symptoms, she never imagined that moment would lead her to discover the natural alternative that has completely changed her life.
Longing for a natural alternative to those awful flu symptoms, she desperately searched the internet and discovered elderberry syrup. Not only did elderberry syrup help her get back to work the very next day after that awful doctor’s visit, but it has been her go-to for keeping her whole family healthy year-round.
Jessica started sharing the amazing benefits of elderberries with her friends on Facebook because she wanted to spare other parents the hassle of missing time from work, paying for doctors’ visits, and most of all, that feeling of helplessness that comes over you when your kids are sick, especially when it comes to viral infections.
She started making her own elderberry syrup because she wanted control over ingredient quality, safety, and taste which led to a business that EXPLODED organically! She sees each of her customers as family and cares deeply for their health and well-being.
Jessica is dedicated to educating families with purpose and passion so they too can achieve optimal health and live a better quality of life.
Follow The POWER of Elderberries on LinkedIn and Facebook.
GWBC Radio: Jill Rose with Perceptive Recruiting
Jill Rose is President of Perceptive Recruiting, a technical recruiting company focused on Information Technology and Engineering positions. Jill has a Bachelors's Degree from Michigan State and 25 years of IT recruiting experience.
She started Perceptive Recruiting almost 7 years ago and has been recognized by Inc 5000, as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Business in 2018 and 2019. Her company has also been recognized as one of the Fasting Growing Small Businesses in the state of SC for 3 years in a row.
Jill is active in her business community by connecting women in technology through her group, Upstate Women & Technology. She has been married for 34 and is the mother of 2 fabulous men!
Connect with Jill on LinkedIn and Facebook.
GWBC Radio: Vanessa Vaughn Mathews with Asfalis Advisors
Vanessa Vaughn Mathews is the founder and chief resilience officer of Asfalis Advisors. Vanessa’s breadth of experience in risk mitigation, crisis preparedness, business continuity, and terrorism mitigation equip Asfalis to support their customers, to include property managers, universities, international and intermodal logistics firms, retailers, the healthcare industry, and athletic associations. Prior to Asfalis, Vanessa worked with a Tier 1 intelligence agency and a Fortune 50 company, which equipped her to be on the front lines of the industry to restore business and community resiliency amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
Vanessa’s engagement with the community has earned her recognition at the local, national, and international levels. The Mecklenburg Times recognized Vanessa as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Charlotte, NC (2020). The US State Department recognized her as a “Global Innovation Fellow.” The United Kingdom’s “Acquisition International Magazine” named her as a finalist for the “Best Female Owned and Operated Small Businesses.” Vanessa also co-owns and hosts the Business Resilience DECODED podcast. Additionally, Vanessa was the 1st female in the state of Georgia to graduate with a degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn and Twitter.
GWBC Radio: Theresa Payton with Fortalice Solutions
Theresa Payton made history as the first female to serve as White House Chief Information Officer and currently helps organizations in both the public and private sectors protect their most valuable resources.
Managing cybersecurity risk is what Payton knows and does best. Before overseeing IT operations as CIO for President George W. Bush and his administration, she held executive roles in banking technology for two of the country’s top financial institutions. After serving in the White House, she went on to co-found Dark3, a cybersecurity product company, and Fortalice Solutions, a world-class cybersecurity consulting firm ranked a “Top 5 Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company” in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Security” by Security Magazine, Payton was also featured in the book 100 Fascinating Women Fighting Cybercrime and honored as the 2019 Woman Cybersecurity Leader of the Year. She is the author of several publications on IT strategy and cybersecurity, including Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth, released in April of 2020.
Connect with Theresa on Facebook and follow Fortalice on LinkedIn.
GWBC Radio: Consultant and Speaker Yvette Gavin
International speaker, Yvette Gavin is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Yvette Gavin Consulting, a leadership and career development firm. A graduate of Oral Roberts University and a certified John Maxwell coach, trainer and speaker, Yvette has a solid track record of teaching others how to elevate their careers and organizations.
Her client list consists of but not limited to Ernst Young, the U.S. Consulate in Brazil, and the Georgia National Guard. A former newspaper report for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, blogger for Black Enterprise, and IT Director at Cbeyond, Yvette is an accomplished author who enjoys traveling the world with her husband of 30+ years.
Connect with Yvette on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
GWBC Radio: Susan Gravely with Gravely and Associates
Susan Duncan Gravely is President of Gravely and Associates, LLC, a women-owned company specializing in providing insurance products and risk management services to women-owned businesses as well as corporate clients who have a need or desire to do business with other women-owned entities. The intent is to develop and maintain professional relationships with those companies that have a diversity-based focus with their vendor partners. With 40+ year’s experience of servicing clients in the commercial property and casualty industry, she has been identified by corporate risk managers and international insurance brokers as very capable of filling this service void.
Gravely and Associates is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the National Women’s Business Enterprise Council, the largest certification council in the United States. Gravely and Associates has been a member in good standing of the Regional Partner Organization, The Greater Women’s Business Council since 2006.
Susan obtained her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation in 1989, the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation in 1999 and the CRM (Certified Risk Manager) designation in 2004.
Follow Gravely and Associates on LinkedIn.