It’s safe to say that while the glass ceiling has certainly been broken, it’s far from being shattered. As women continue to navigate through male-dominated industries, many are still faced with a continuous climb up the ladder to success. Thankfully, many women are using this as motivation and have become determined to make a lasting impact that they hope will inspire the next generation to achieve even greater things.
We spoke with some talented and accomplished female business leaders from across the area to find out what words of wisdom they would offer those looking to follow in their footsteps. They shared advice, personal experiences and more in an effort to uplift those around them. Read on to see what they had to say.
Being a woman in a male-dominated role…
“When I first got into distilling, I learned from a man because there weren’t very many women in it yet. But I also learned from husband-and-wife teams where the wife was always really involved, so I don’t really focus on how few women are distillers. I just try to make the most of every day and hope that another young girl would love to learn or see that it’s possible for women to do this job, which can be physically demanding.
There’s a tasting room hostess who’s a very hard worker and will help me bottle or help me with some elements of production – she’s interested in distilling, which is very cool to see.”
— Veronica Townsend, head distiller, Blue Rascal Distillery
The biggest lessons learned…
“I have built a thriving practice through intelligence, diligence and ethical principles. I’ve
learned that success rewards smart, hard work. It’s crucial not to force things; if a path
falters, pivot and explore new avenues. When trapped in stagnant thinking, redirect your mindset and craft a fresh plan. Adaptability and innovative thinking pave the way
for continued growth and triumph.”
— Dr. Nermeen Rifai, owner, All Smiles Family Dental
Advice for the next generation…
“I think it’s very important to try to balance work, life and family – and it’s becoming
more possible. I think a lot of women shy away from the sciences and medicine, etc., because they’re worried about that. And I think everybody has become much more aware that that needs to be focused on, more of a rounded life. ... [Women] have all the responsibilities. It’s important to be able to make your life so that you can handle
those responsibilities, and only take on those things that you can handle, rather than trying to do everything… Anything that you can think of, you can do. For the most part, there’s a way. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
— Dr. Julia Spears, owner, Metropolitan Plastic Surgery
A support system for other women…
“A gym should be a place where people go to relieve stress, clear their mind and move
their bodies. As a woman owner of Anytime Fitness, my top goal is to make sure that every woman feels comfortable and confident, and to know there will be no tolerance of harassment or intimidation.”
— Sue Gallagher Holton, owner, Anytime Fitness Medford
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 9.
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