Sarah Paxton
President & Co-owner of LaDiff
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologySarah Paxton's Bio
Additional Strengths: Creating a proforma budget, understanding your financial statements, understanding/improving your profit margins, how to create a marketing budget (and what constitutes ‘marketing’)
My First Job Was
Other than babysitting (LOTS of babysitting), my first job with a real paycheck was as a Senate Page for 3 months during my Freshman year of high school. I tended to be a little too social, so I was relocated (banished?) to the basement of the General Assembly building where I collated and organized the daily bills.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
Don’t hit ‘send’ while you’re angry. Write the email (or letter or message); wait an hour or a day; reread your response and edit it. I also like to think “how would the customer explain my reply to a friend?” Word choice and tone of voice are very important, as is empathy, and ALL relationships are valuable.Best Advice I’ve Received
My mentors in the Richmond retail community – and there are many (Bobby Ukrop, Jack Kreuter, Pat Patrick) – are and were good stewards of our community. Giving back was in their DNA. I think being a partner with the community that supports you is the difference between being a good retail store and a great retail experience.
Pat Heaney
Co-Owner of Mango Salon
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyPat Heaney's Bio
Additional Strengths: strategic planning for small businesses, including planning and opening
My First Job Was
My first job at age 17 was unloading grocery trucks at a small IGA grocery store in my hometown in Deer Lodge, Montana. I learned the discipline of working hard and being responsible. As I gained more experience, I became a grocery clerk responsible for stocking shelves and checking out customers at the cash register checkout.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
My first critical lesson was how to be more productive when stocking fresh eggs in the dairy case. This was my first job and I initially didn’t connect with productivity in how to restock the egg case. The store was really busy and I got behind with this task. The owner/manager saw how slow I was and took me aside and showed me how to stock eggs faster to improve my productivity. He didn’t embarrass me. He demonstrated the faster way and then observed me patiently. He mentioned that in the summer he would need me to work more hours If I wanted (to me this was a great incentive). The lesson I learned from my first boss: “teach young people the right methods by showing them, then observing, and finally offering them encouragement?.” I worked much harder for my boss from that day forward.Best Advice I’ve Received
Learned to treat co-workers with respect. My first mentor always encouraged me. He never criticized me when I made mistakes. He would stop and show me the right way and praised me when I did things right.
Page Ewell
President of Richmond Window Corp.
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyPage Ewell's Bio
Additional Strengths: Startup, Strategy, Scale, Sales Operations
My First Job Was
I was a pizza delivery driver at age 16 with no maps, GPS, or phones and got lost on half my deliveries.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
Since I heard the quote by Henry Ford – “ Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right” I’ve tried to pattern my management style according to that statement. Being an optimistic person helps too.Best Advice I’ve Received
The little things make all the difference.
Nancy Thomas
President of InUnison
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyNancy Thomas's Bio
Additional Strengths: Strategic planning, people management, small business operations, building team culture, and creating a culture and environment that shows collogues you care.
My First Job Was
At 12 years old, delivered papers and cleaned houses. I did use the rolled-up newspapers to swat at dogs that were ready to bite me.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
To give people the benefit of the doubt, and to be open, honest, and direct in my communication but do it with respect and kindness.Best Advice I’ve Received
I have two that are important to me, It’s ok to show your vulnerability, and be sure to feel purpose in your work and not just show up every day.
Melissa Ball
Owner of Ball Office Products & C.P. Dean
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyMelissa Ball's Bio
Additional Strengths: starting up, accounting & finance, human resources, management, operations, sales, technology
My First Job Was
My first real W2 job was as a traffic counter for a civil engineering firm.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
Your accountant should be a strategist, not a bookkeeper. You and your accountant should communicate well and often with your banker to be best prepared for your credit needs. Policy can have a significant impact on your business, be engaged and informed.Best Advice I’ve Received
There is dignity in work so always make sure to preserve the dignity of others.
Kevin Reardon
President of Franco’s Fine Clothier
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyKevin Reardon's Bio
My First Job Was
At 12 years oldie first paying job was delivery Richmond New Leader and then The Richmond Times Dispatch. I did this until graduating high school. It was a great lesson in interacting with customers. Also, I worked at Best Products for an year in high school loading trucks at the distribution center in Ashland. That job ws a good lesson in working with others as a team.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
When dealing with people/customers, it is best to listen more and talk less. When listening to customers you are able to offer a better opinion as to what service or product you have that will best suit their needs.Best Advice I’ve Received
Do not sell something just to sell it, the product has to be right for the customer.Additional Skills
Customer Relations
Dorothye Brodersen
CFO of Infotel Systems
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyDorothye Brodersen's Bio
Additional Strengths: telecommunications, business operations
My First Job Was:
I worked in my father’s real estate office, answering phones, typing up contracts, and researching deeds when I was in high school. Then, I got my real estate license and sold houses in the summers during college.Valuable Lessons I’ve learned:
Working in a family business, I really understood the value of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice. I also learned how my father earned respect from his employees and try to do the same in our family business. Our daughter works for us now and I hope that I provide as inspiring a role model to her as my father did to me.Best Advice I’ve Received:
The most impactful message came from my husband and business partner: “Don’t say no”. He reminds me that I should always ask questions before responding and ponder ways to make things work instead of finding ways the idea won’t work.
Catherine Cary
President of Bremo Pharmacies
Accounting & FinanceHuman ResourcesManagementMarketingOperationsSalesStarting UpTechnologyCatherine Cary's Bio
Additional Strengths: Pharmacy, health & wellness, leadership, motivating staff into a cohesive team, goal setting
My First Job Was
My first and only job was with Bremo Pharmacy. I began working in the family business at the age of 12. I began with dusting shelves and running errands, then eventually graduated to cashier. By high school and college, I was helping out as a pharmacy technician and delivery driver until I graduated from pharmacy school. From dusting shelves to a pharmacist, to a CEO, I have done every job in the company at one point or another.Best Advice I’ve Received
I have learned that the best way to accomplish company goals is to lead a strong team with clear goals and expectations. Setting realistic and measurable goals, then empowering your team to take ownership of the steps to accomplish the goals will get you way further than trying to accomplish the tasks on your own.Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned
I learned the power of a positive attitude from my father Dan Herbert, who said “you’ve got to believe.” He had an optimistic vision for the future and saw each day’s struggles as a path toward reaching his vision. This inspired me and set me on my own pathway of optimism. My business coach also gave me great advice to set a “cadence of accountability.” when outlining clear expectations for my team. Similarly, I found author, Brene Brown, very insightful in her advice, “clear is kind.” This message helped me to provide more open and honest feedback to my team, rather than sugarcoat issues that need to be addressed.
Interested in getting in touch with one of our mentors?
- You’ll learn new skills as a business owner from someone who has been there and done that.
- You’ll strengthen your business acumen through business planning and strategy discussions, and get open, honest, candid advice.
- You’ll meet with someone who is right here in the Richmond region – a mentor who understands the local business climate and its challenges.
All premium-level members – and up to four additional staff members – are eligible to participate in the program.
This program is a resource for ongoing learning. For example, if your problem is solved with your current mentor, you may apply for another session with the same mentor or another mentor who has a different specialty that aligns with your situation.
Your mentor is a true professional who understands the importance of candor and confidentiality. So you can feel comfortable discussing anything about your situation. By sharing all your concerns, you can come up with solutions together, with all conversations kept just between the two of you.
