ALREADY IN BUSINESS

It took patience and diligence to build the 30 years of customer service expertise that would give Mercedes George the ability to handle over 700 accounts at W.A. George Insurance Agency, the business she would one day own.  Mercedes paid her dues by learning every facet of the insurance industry under the tutelage of the company’s founder, William George.  Her hard work paid off, and in 2003 she purchased W.A. George and became president and CEO of the company.  Under her leadership, she increased revenues by 70% and added personal lines of insurance to the existing commercial offerings.

Founded in 1972, W.A. George is a full service insurance agency with a nationwide practice that is licensed in 28 states. The company offers a myriad of insurance products and services in business, personal and commercial insurance. W.A. George has developed specialized expertise in several industries including:  child care, restaurants, municipal work, builder’s risk, worker’s compensation and construction.

Despite all her experience and accomplishments, Mercedes has not been exempt from prejudice.  “As a woman, and a woman of color, I have experienced discrimination in the business arena on more occasions than I would care to say, but in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’”

Mercedes exudes the confidence and knowledge needed to sustain a successful business, and she credits the WBDC for helping her reach this level of achievement in her business.  Mercedes has attended several WBDC workshops and events that have contributed to her business success, and the WBDC has also been paramount in building her network of resources.  “What the WBDC has to offer is so much more than workshops on particular business-related topics.  I can say without hesitation that when I have had a question or been unclear about a business-related issue, I can always rely on the WBDC’s sound and helpful advice,” says Mercedes. 

Mercedes would give this advice to any WBE or woman starting her own business: “If you are confident, and more importantly, passionate and knowledgeable about your product and/or service, and articulate it with zest, others will recognize that and will be drawn to you and the product/services you are providing.”

For more information on W.A. George Insurance Agency, please click here.

If you need help remembering the names of the women behind LinJen Promotions, Inc., just look at the business name.  LinJen is short for Linda Heyse-Highland (pictured left) and Jennifer Savor (pictured right), business partners who founded the branded products company in 2000.  LinJen Promotions specializes in promotion, recognition and reward campaigns in the sales and safety arenas as well as in eco-friendly and digital promotions.

LinJen became certified through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) early on, and Linda has been able to use LinJen’s WBE certification as a marketing tool to promote the company.  It has opened up opportunities with both corporations and government agencies, including Motorola, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and Rush.  Additionally, their relationship with the WBDC has provided networking opportunities and educational information through seminars and events.  “The WBDC provides an opportunity to go through a door which might otherwise be closed.  It still takes effort on the business’ part to follow through, but the WBDC makes those opportunities possible,” says Linda.

One recent example of an opportunity made available through LinJen’s WBE certification that turned into good business through hard work, is their newly announced strategic alliance with Lapine, Inc., an award-winning merchandise agency and PepsiCo preferred vendor.  LinJen’s relationship with PepsiCo started several years ago when Linda met PepsiCo’s Leatha King, Sr. Analyst - Supplier Diversity, at the WBDC’s Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.   PepsiCo’s Theresa Moore, Industry Manager, Promotions & Premiums, contacted their present vendors to see if there were any second tier opportunities available for LinJen, and through this relationship LinJen was introduced to Lapine.

Through this strategic alliance, LinJen will be able to expand its safety, sales and recognition program development services by offering its clients the opportunity to access Lapine’s unmatched resources, buying power and expertise within the incentive market which include trend reports, market research presentations, educational seminars and more.
 
“Teaming with Lapine is the perfect fit,” says Linda. “We share client focused service, ethical behavior and going the extra mile for our clients. Through Lapine, we can broaden our current suite of services to offer our clients more comprehensive campaign and program support.”

For more information on LinJen Promotions, Inc. please click here.