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She’s Got the Power
BY TIFFANY WHITE
We searched through our archive of past and present issues to honor 15 women who
truly live and breathe power everyday.
A part-time position with the Kentucky Derby Festival turned into a lucrative
business venture for Becky Biesel. Party Kits and Equestrian Gifts, located in
Louisville, is a catalogue and retail business that supplies Derby and equine
items for gifts, parties and entertaining.
What She Is Doing Now: Becky’s business — now in its 28th year — is going strong. “I
still truly love it and I have met so many wonderful people…both customers and
suppliers.” She adds, “To me that is the real value of business.”
Her Turning Point: “Knowing that somehow I will survive. I have had some real hard
knocks along the way.”
How She Defines Power: “God is the one that has the power.”
At age 13, Jeanne Brown taught herself how to sew and often used her mother’s
fabrics—against her wishes—to practice. By 16, she sold her first set of jockey
silks which set the stage for her business. Pepper Wear, located in Shelbyville,
sells jockey silks, helmets, jockey pants and gifts.
What She Is Doing Now: Jeanne is enjoying the continued success of the business.
Her Turning Point: “Moving to Kentucky six years ago helped because this is horse
country; this is where all the good things happen.”
How She Defines Power: “The greatest power is awareness without ego.”
What Has Sustained Her: “Quality, efficiency and caring about the customer.”
With just a pair of ice skates, Lori Caudill introduces people to a world of
possibilities. Lori, coordinates a regional ice skating program for the Special
Olympics. She is also head coach of Moms On Ice, a program designed to teach
adults how to ice skate.
What She Is Doing Now: Lori is media coordinator and administrative assistant for
Potash Advertising. She is also a choir director for the Kentucky Special Touch Bell
Ringers that is made up of Special Olympic athletes.
Her Turning Point: “When the former coach of Moms On Ice retired, I felt in my heart
that I needed to fall into her footsteps which I have tried very hard to do.”
How She Defines Power: “I like the word power but I don’t want people to think that I
am trying to overpower them. I think if you are willing to accept their ideas, you can get
by better in life.”
What Has Sustained Her: “I have always wanted to do good for other people…that is
my whole motto.”
Terri Cardwell wasn’t about to let a good opportunity slip through her fingers. At
the time, she was working for the University of Louisville managing environmental
policy but decided she wanted to pursue something new. She dropped her job at
UofL and became owner of Adventure Outfitters, a shop specializing in fly fishing
equipment, travel clothing and accessories.
What She Is Doing Now: Terri relocated to Chenoweth Square, renamed the business
Parallel 38 and redefined the store concept. The store features men’s and women’s
active apparel, gifts, a bridal registry, dog gifts and a fly fishing boutique.
Her Turning Point: “There was a point when I thought that this retail life wasn’t for me
and then I went to a cocktail party and by sheer, stupid luck, I ran into Walter Wagner
who owns Chenoweth Square Center. He told me that there may be a space that I
would be interested in.”
How She Defines Power: “Being able to fall asleep at 9:30 (at night) with a clear
conscience.”
What Has Sustained Her: “My partner and my family and the complete stubborn bull-
headed nature that I have.”
Irene Corbett followed her passion when she opened Textures Salon formerly
known as Irene’s located in the Highlands eight years ago.
What She Is Doing Now: Irene and partner David Eckert have redeveloped the
business and expanded its services.
Her Turning Point: “I was working for someone who owned a salon…seeing everyone
busy made me realize how much I loved the business and whatever it took was what I
was going to do to succeed.”
How She Defines Power: “I think power is inside.” She adds, “It is something that some
people have from the beginning and for others it takes time to have the courage to
use the power.”
What Has Sustained Her “My faith.”
Donna Dusel learned everything she needed to know about building houses
from watching a contractor build hers. “I was watching the house go up and I
said, ‘I can do that.’” After she built a home for a doctor, word of Donna’s
expertise spread prompting her to open Tectonics, Inc.
What She Is Doing Now: Donna is still building and remodeling homes after 28 years.
Her Turning Point: “When I realized that it is best to diversify and not just build
houses.”
How She Defines Power: “Having the opportunity to lead and influence.”
What Has Sustained Her “My faith in God.”
Diane Fischer hand-stuffed mailings for Fire King International before founding
L& D Mail- masters 20 years ago and becoming its president. Located in
Clarksville, the company serves local and national businesses of all sizes.
What She Is Doing Now: Her company continues to grow with a staff of 96 full-time
employees.
Her Turning Point: “When I made the commitment to build and own my own facility. At
that point, I realized that I would be doing this for a long time and I made a commitment
to invest in myself.”
How She Defines Power: “If you empower all of those around you, then that is strength
in numbers.”
What Has Sustained Her “Surrounding myself with good people and good employees
and not worrying about what my competitors are doing but having my own vision of
what I want to do with my company.”
Former president of Abby’s Printing and Graphics, had to realign the business
after her husband, who was also was co-owner, died. “When something like that
happens, your view on life changes,” she said. Overwhelmed with the stress of
maintaining the company on her own, Donna sold the business in 2003.
What She Is Doing Now: Donna is working as an account manager for one of her
former employees at IQ Copies and Printing. She is also a writer and photographer for
the Prospect News.
Her Turning Point: “The computer and the Internet were the turning point.” Donna said
she had to decide whether she should stay technologically competitive or get out of
the business.
How She Defines Power: “The never-ending interest of meeting people.”
Pam Kleier used her knowledge of technology as the foundation for starting
Kleier and Quantum Leap. Kleier is a marketing and branding firm, while
Quantum Leap develops technology solutions to meet business and marketing
objectives.
What She Is Doing Now: Pam opened a business development center that automates
work flow processes and the creation of materials.
Her Turning Point: “The advent of the Internet and adapting it to meet business
objectives.”
How She Defines Power: “Real power is the ability to influence others and the
discretion to use that influence in positive and intelligent ways.”
What Has Sustained Her: “It’s just an inner drive. It’s the satisfaction that comes with
helping other businesses achieve their initiatives.”
When we last interviewed Renee Campbell Mapp, she was managing Heverin
House, a transitional housing program for the homeless under New Directions
Housing Corporation.
What She Is Doing Now: As president and CEO of Wesley House Community
Services, Renee is setting up a youth brigade academy in Tamale, Ghana. The
academy, for youths in grades one through twelve, will focus on self-esteem,
academics, self-control and discipline.
Her Turning Point: “When I got approval to enter the doctoral program at Spalding
University. I had a life-long goal of receiving my doctoral degree, because education
has always been very important to me.”
How She Defines Power: “It’s what a person believes about themselves. I think it
dictates everything you do.”
What Has Sustained Her: “I am a very spiritual person. I believe there is a power much
greater than myself that has always helped me obtain my goals when I thought I
couldn’t go any further.”
Renee Murphy, anchor for WHAS11 television and emcee for the 2005 & 2006
HER Awards, says her natural sense of competitiveness has propelled her
career.
What She Is Doing Now: In 2005, Renee began anchoring Good Morning Kentuckiana
and the WHAS11 Noon newscasts.
Her Turning Point: “When I worked at ESPN (as a production assistant), I liked it, but
realized that I wanted to do more on-air work.” Following ESPN, Renee anchored for
two other stations and says she had to transition into a slightly different work
atmosphere. “You are learning so much. You have to get accustomed to being on
television, learning how to write, and what you can and can,t say.” She adds, “But
here, I feel like I really have grasped what I am supposed to accomplish. You can
really concentrate on how to get good stories and focus on good storytelling.”
How She Defines Power: Power is information. It is knowledge. When you know what
you are talking about, it always gives you the upper-hand.
Donna Neary has become recognized in the community as an expert on historic
preservation. Donna M. Neary, Inc. Historical Consulting provides information to
people who want to learn more about history or historic preservation projects.
Much of her business focuses on preparing national register of historic places
nominations.
What She Is Doing Now: In addition to her consulting service, Donna is designating
the Mockingbird Valley Neighborhood as a historic district. She has recently been
featured on Louisville Life and the KET Bookclub.
Her Turning Point: “When I realized that the skills and training I had gained as an
historian could be useful in a business.” She adds, “It really opened a broad spectrum
of projects that I could work on.”
How She Defines Power: “Information is power. I create the documentation and
research and put it into a format that has tangible financial benefit to my clients.”
Kathy Pleasant, winner of the Savvy Sister Award at the 2001 HER Night Out,
has an impressive list of accomplishments. Hired as a lending officer for The
Louisville Community Development Bank in 1997, Kathy partnered with the U.S.
Small Business Administration to help generate more jobs and businesses.
What She Is Doing Now: Kathy is assistant vice president and SBA loan specialist for
the Fifth Third Bank Louisville and Southern Indiana affiliate. She provides alternative
financing to small business owners that may lack some of the conventional lending
requirements.
Her Turning Point: “I decided to take more of an initiative to build my career and I
found creative ways to be successful.”
How She Defines Power:“Control and being put in a position where you have control
over someone’s success or directly influence someone.”
Laura-Benson Putney definitely earned her wings as president and founder of
Cardinal Wings, Inc. Founded in 1992, it became the largest flight training school
in the region with 22 aircraft, 35 employees and a student base of 400 by 2001.
What She Is Doing Now: She closed the flight school in 2001 and became vice
president of marketing for Honaker Aviation, a jet aircraft management company. The
company specializes in the staffing of pilots, ride-sharing programs, leasing and sales
of aircraft shares.
Her Turning Point: “Having children changed my priorities.”
How She Defines Power: “I find power in my belief in God. Also, I find when I actualize
goals it is empowering…listening to my intuition and setting goals is vital for tapping
into my personal power.”
What Has Sustained Her “For me, the definition of success is happiness. My career
brings me great joy. It's the pleasure th has sustained me and the intellectual
challenges.”
Kim Ray Smith is the former director of sales for the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Kim knew she had what it took to become an entrepreneur: her instincts weren’t
wrong. With a background in merchandising and accounting, Kim opened
Festival Productions, Inc. The company acquired an exclusive contract to design,
produce and market the official merchandise for the Kentucky Derby Festival.
What She Is Doing Now: Kim broke away from the corporate scene to raise daughters
Lizzy, age 7 and Katie, age 3.
Her Turning Point: “Getting involved in the community from a volunteer standpoint
helped me see the bigger picture of what was out there and what was needed.”
How She Defines Power: “Having a positive influence on people for the betterment of
the community as a whole and being respected for that.”
BY TIFFANY WHITE
We searched through our archive of past and present issues to honor 15 women who
truly live and breathe power everyday.
A part-time position with the Kentucky Derby Festival turned into a lucrative
business venture for Becky Biesel. Party Kits and Equestrian Gifts, located in
Louisville, is a catalogue and retail business that supplies Derby and equine
items for gifts, parties and entertaining.
What She Is Doing Now: Becky’s business — now in its 28th year — is going strong. “I
still truly love it and I have met so many wonderful people…both customers and
suppliers.” She adds, “To me that is the real value of business.”
Her Turning Point: “Knowing that somehow I will survive. I have had some real hard
knocks along the way.”
How She Defines Power: “God is the one that has the power.”
At age 13, Jeanne Brown taught herself how to sew and often used her mother’s
fabrics—against her wishes—to practice. By 16, she sold her first set of jockey
silks which set the stage for her business. Pepper Wear, located in Shelbyville,
sells jockey silks, helmets, jockey pants and gifts.
What She Is Doing Now: Jeanne is enjoying the continued success of the business.
Her Turning Point: “Moving to Kentucky six years ago helped because this is horse
country; this is where all the good things happen.”
How She Defines Power: “The greatest power is awareness without ego.”
What Has Sustained Her: “Quality, efficiency and caring about the customer.”
With just a pair of ice skates, Lori Caudill introduces people to a world of
possibilities. Lori, coordinates a regional ice skating program for the Special
Olympics. She is also head coach of Moms On Ice, a program designed to teach
adults how to ice skate.
What She Is Doing Now: Lori is media coordinator and administrative assistant for
Potash Advertising. She is also a choir director for the Kentucky Special Touch Bell
Ringers that is made up of Special Olympic athletes.
Her Turning Point: “When the former coach of Moms On Ice retired, I felt in my heart
that I needed to fall into her footsteps which I have tried very hard to do.”
How She Defines Power: “I like the word power but I don’t want people to think that I
am trying to overpower them. I think if you are willing to accept their ideas, you can get
by better in life.”
What Has Sustained Her: “I have always wanted to do good for other people…that is
my whole motto.”
Terri Cardwell wasn’t about to let a good opportunity slip through her fingers. At
the time, she was working for the University of Louisville managing environmental
policy but decided she wanted to pursue something new. She dropped her job at
UofL and became owner of Adventure Outfitters, a shop specializing in fly fishing
equipment, travel clothing and accessories.
What She Is Doing Now: Terri relocated to Chenoweth Square, renamed the business
Parallel 38 and redefined the store concept. The store features men’s and women’s
active apparel, gifts, a bridal registry, dog gifts and a fly fishing boutique.
Her Turning Point: “There was a point when I thought that this retail life wasn’t for me
and then I went to a cocktail party and by sheer, stupid luck, I ran into Walter Wagner
who owns Chenoweth Square Center. He told me that there may be a space that I
would be interested in.”
How She Defines Power: “Being able to fall asleep at 9:30 (at night) with a clear
conscience.”
What Has Sustained Her: “My partner and my family and the complete stubborn bull-
headed nature that I have.”
Irene Corbett followed her passion when she opened Textures Salon formerly
known as Irene’s located in the Highlands eight years ago.
What She Is Doing Now: Irene and partner David Eckert have redeveloped the
business and expanded its services.
Her Turning Point: “I was working for someone who owned a salon…seeing everyone
busy made me realize how much I loved the business and whatever it took was what I
was going to do to succeed.”
How She Defines Power: “I think power is inside.” She adds, “It is something that some
people have from the beginning and for others it takes time to have the courage to
use the power.”
What Has Sustained Her “My faith.”
Donna Dusel learned everything she needed to know about building houses
from watching a contractor build hers. “I was watching the house go up and I
said, ‘I can do that.’” After she built a home for a doctor, word of Donna’s
expertise spread prompting her to open Tectonics, Inc.
What She Is Doing Now: Donna is still building and remodeling homes after 28 years.
Her Turning Point: “When I realized that it is best to diversify and not just build
houses.”
How She Defines Power: “Having the opportunity to lead and influence.”
What Has Sustained Her “My faith in God.”
Diane Fischer hand-stuffed mailings for Fire King International before founding
L& D Mail- masters 20 years ago and becoming its president. Located in
Clarksville, the company serves local and national businesses of all sizes.
What She Is Doing Now: Her company continues to grow with a staff of 96 full-time
employees.
Her Turning Point: “When I made the commitment to build and own my own facility. At
that point, I realized that I would be doing this for a long time and I made a commitment
to invest in myself.”
How She Defines Power: “If you empower all of those around you, then that is strength
in numbers.”
What Has Sustained Her “Surrounding myself with good people and good employees
and not worrying about what my competitors are doing but having my own vision of
what I want to do with my company.”
Former president of Abby’s Printing and Graphics, had to realign the business
after her husband, who was also was co-owner, died. “When something like that
happens, your view on life changes,” she said. Overwhelmed with the stress of
maintaining the company on her own, Donna sold the business in 2003.
What She Is Doing Now: Donna is working as an account manager for one of her
former employees at IQ Copies and Printing. She is also a writer and photographer for
the Prospect News.
Her Turning Point: “The computer and the Internet were the turning point.” Donna said
she had to decide whether she should stay technologically competitive or get out of
the business.
How She Defines Power: “The never-ending interest of meeting people.”
Pam Kleier used her knowledge of technology as the foundation for starting
Kleier and Quantum Leap. Kleier is a marketing and branding firm, while
Quantum Leap develops technology solutions to meet business and marketing
objectives.
What She Is Doing Now: Pam opened a business development center that automates
work flow processes and the creation of materials.
Her Turning Point: “The advent of the Internet and adapting it to meet business
objectives.”
How She Defines Power: “Real power is the ability to influence others and the
discretion to use that influence in positive and intelligent ways.”
What Has Sustained Her: “It’s just an inner drive. It’s the satisfaction that comes with
helping other businesses achieve their initiatives.”
When we last interviewed Renee Campbell Mapp, she was managing Heverin
House, a transitional housing program for the homeless under New Directions
Housing Corporation.
What She Is Doing Now: As president and CEO of Wesley House Community
Services, Renee is setting up a youth brigade academy in Tamale, Ghana. The
academy, for youths in grades one through twelve, will focus on self-esteem,
academics, self-control and discipline.
Her Turning Point: “When I got approval to enter the doctoral program at Spalding
University. I had a life-long goal of receiving my doctoral degree, because education
has always been very important to me.”
How She Defines Power: “It’s what a person believes about themselves. I think it
dictates everything you do.”
What Has Sustained Her: “I am a very spiritual person. I believe there is a power much
greater than myself that has always helped me obtain my goals when I thought I
couldn’t go any further.”
Renee Murphy, anchor for WHAS11 television and emcee for the 2005 & 2006
HER Awards, says her natural sense of competitiveness has propelled her
career.
What She Is Doing Now: In 2005, Renee began anchoring Good Morning Kentuckiana
and the WHAS11 Noon newscasts.
Her Turning Point: “When I worked at ESPN (as a production assistant), I liked it, but
realized that I wanted to do more on-air work.” Following ESPN, Renee anchored for
two other stations and says she had to transition into a slightly different work
atmosphere. “You are learning so much. You have to get accustomed to being on
television, learning how to write, and what you can and can,t say.” She adds, “But
here, I feel like I really have grasped what I am supposed to accomplish. You can
really concentrate on how to get good stories and focus on good storytelling.”
How She Defines Power: Power is information. It is knowledge. When you know what
you are talking about, it always gives you the upper-hand.
Donna Neary has become recognized in the community as an expert on historic
preservation. Donna M. Neary, Inc. Historical Consulting provides information to
people who want to learn more about history or historic preservation projects.
Much of her business focuses on preparing national register of historic places
nominations.
What She Is Doing Now: In addition to her consulting service, Donna is designating
the Mockingbird Valley Neighborhood as a historic district. She has recently been
featured on Louisville Life and the KET Bookclub.
Her Turning Point: “When I realized that the skills and training I had gained as an
historian could be useful in a business.” She adds, “It really opened a broad spectrum
of projects that I could work on.”
How She Defines Power: “Information is power. I create the documentation and
research and put it into a format that has tangible financial benefit to my clients.”
Kathy Pleasant, winner of the Savvy Sister Award at the 2001 HER Night Out,
has an impressive list of accomplishments. Hired as a lending officer for The
Louisville Community Development Bank in 1997, Kathy partnered with the U.S.
Small Business Administration to help generate more jobs and businesses.
What She Is Doing Now: Kathy is assistant vice president and SBA loan specialist for
the Fifth Third Bank Louisville and Southern Indiana affiliate. She provides alternative
financing to small business owners that may lack some of the conventional lending
requirements.
Her Turning Point: “I decided to take more of an initiative to build my career and I
found creative ways to be successful.”
How She Defines Power:“Control and being put in a position where you have control
over someone’s success or directly influence someone.”
Laura-Benson Putney definitely earned her wings as president and founder of
Cardinal Wings, Inc. Founded in 1992, it became the largest flight training school
in the region with 22 aircraft, 35 employees and a student base of 400 by 2001.
What She Is Doing Now: She closed the flight school in 2001 and became vice
president of marketing for Honaker Aviation, a jet aircraft management company. The
company specializes in the staffing of pilots, ride-sharing programs, leasing and sales
of aircraft shares.
Her Turning Point: “Having children changed my priorities.”
How She Defines Power: “I find power in my belief in God. Also, I find when I actualize
goals it is empowering…listening to my intuition and setting goals is vital for tapping
into my personal power.”
What Has Sustained Her “For me, the definition of success is happiness. My career
brings me great joy. It's the pleasure th has sustained me and the intellectual
challenges.”
Kim Ray Smith is the former director of sales for the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Kim knew she had what it took to become an entrepreneur: her instincts weren’t
wrong. With a background in merchandising and accounting, Kim opened
Festival Productions, Inc. The company acquired an exclusive contract to design,
produce and market the official merchandise for the Kentucky Derby Festival.
What She Is Doing Now: Kim broke away from the corporate scene to raise daughters
Lizzy, age 7 and Katie, age 3.
Her Turning Point: “Getting involved in the community from a volunteer standpoint
helped me see the bigger picture of what was out there and what was needed.”
How She Defines Power: “Having a positive influence on people for the betterment of
the community as a whole and being respected for that.”