This sampling of Washtenaw County businesses are owned by strong and determined women who have followed their dreams and found success in their careers.
We talked with these five local women business owners about their experiences.
Nadine Burns, A New Path Financial
How did you become a business owner and a local leader in your field?
I always made a budget for things I wanted, even as a 12-year-old, saving for a 10-speed bike. Then I went to the University of Michigan hoping to be a dentist, but organic chemistry crushed those dreams and I changed my focus to business.
My first position out of college was as a K-mart manager, and they moved me a few times before I found a great sales position at Hershey, then I worked in Marketing for Nestle. I still was drawn to finance, and I pursued my MBA, and I went to work with a financial advisor and found that I had a lot to offer. At the suggestion of many colleagues , but also mostly due to my husband’s encouragement, I struck out on my own, and I have not looked back.
To what do you attribute your success?Â
Long hours and hard work! I got my MBA at night while working. When I was a Kmart Manager I used off hours to do tele-sales. I taught finance as an adjunct professor at night, when my business was just starting. I study everything in my field. I listen to business radio on the way into the office and on the way home.
Yet, I raised children, decorated my house for holidays, did my own cleaning, etc. I am just purposeful with how I plan my days, I have a list of things that need to be accomplished and learned long ago that “Perfect* is not always required. My mother worked outside the home as did my grandmother, who came to the United States from Ukraine. Our family worked hard – you were expected to do chores, help with dinner, and participate in family activities. Despite the need for studying, if work was needed, you did it and fit in studying later. But good grades were also expected.
I had what today would be called “Pushy Parents.” You worked out by raking leaves, not going to a gym. You ironed your clothes and looked neat, but bought them at the discount store. A simple work ethic really does set the tone for success.
What are you most proud of?
Seeing my vision of a financial services firm to really serve clients come to fruition. I love being a teacher of financial concepts and bringing that attitude to my staff and clients.
How do you inspire other women?
I’m not sure I am inspiring. I grew up with great role models in my mother and grandmother. I just try to work hard without judging others.
What is a piece of advice that you want to share with our readers?
Success takes sweat. Everyone sees the result, but no one saw when my budget did not allow me to buy groceries for a few weeks. No one saw me study for my Certified Financial Planner Board Exam for month upon month, they just saw me pass it. Work hard, but do volunteer for leadership positions and listen to those around you.
Nicole Haley, Nicole Haley Photography
How did you become a business owner and a local leader in your field?
Back in college, I convinced myself that pursuing a degree in photography was impractical for a variety of reasons (most of which were related to me being so young and not exposed to many working artists). So, instead, I earned a degree in Spanish with no intentions of teaching, translating, or moving to any Spanish-speaking country. Perhaps not the best choice!
Fast forward several years and one amazing job later. I was living in Lansing and working for the Michigan state government by day and planning a seven-month-long hike by night.
By the spring of 2007, I was standing at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and by the fall, I was at the end. Along the way, I thought a lot about what I wanted my life to look like after comoleting the trail. While I loved the job I left behind, I knew it was not how I wanted my life to look forever. I wanted to be my own boss and to make my own rules about how I would spend each day.
After the trail, I returned to work in Lansing during the day while going back to take night classes for photography. Two years later, I started my business and dedicated myself to finding ways to make that practical choice work.
What are you most proud of?
It might seem wildly unrelated to owning a business, but my proudest accomplishment and, I believe, the one that most prepared me for being a business owner, was hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Although now it seems like a lifetime ago, the seven months I spent hiking from Georgia to Maine helped me develop skills like grit, determination, flexibility and the ability to make adjustments when things don’t go as planned. Those experiences shaped me as a business owner and as a human being.
I also have my thru-hike to thank for finally convincing me to pursue the lifestyle I wanted. So, in some ways, I wouldn’t have this business without it.
To what do you attribute your success?
To start, no one builds a business without a great deal of determination, so my determination was a firm foundation for me.
I also truly believe that the wonderful community of businesses and organizations we have here in Ann Arbor is fuel for the success of each individual business. Through relationships with other business owners – especially the great community of photographers we have here – I have been able to work with a wide variety of people and that feels like a win to me.
Also, success looks different at different times. So when I’m able to make a shy kiddo laugh for a photo, that’s a success I attribute to having (sometimes very difficult) kids of my own. When I’m able to set a mom at ease about having her family’s photograph taken, that’s a success I attribute to being in those same shoes from time to time. Success is all about celebrating small wins whenever you can.
How do you inspire other women?Â
In my experience, inspiration seems to be ignited from one person to another. My time working in Michigan state government was spent working for several strong women leaders who inspired me by the work they did each day. They never gave up and they seemed to make the impossible happen regularly. They ignited in me the drive to bring high standards and integrity to anything I did in the future.
While my main goal as a photographer is to document people and moments in order for them to relive a memory or to appreciate later in life, and while I didn’t necessarily set out iny career to inspire people, I do try to do my best work with the hope that it will affect others in the same positive ways I was affected by those before me.
I’m also incredibly lucky to have a job that inspires me regularly, so hopefully that all gets passed on somehow!
What is a piece of advice that you want to share with our readers?
You only live once! If there’s something you want to do, find a way to make it happen.
Charity Barnes, Daisy Tree Care
How did you become a business owner and local leader in your field?Â
After working for a reputable Ann Arbor company, I decided to venture out on my own to have more control of my hours and my schedule. I regularly attend educational conferences, teach classes, continue to learn from other leaders in the industry, while staying up to date on safety protocols and while always asking a million questions directed to those who know more than me.
To what do you attribute your success?Â
Effective and prompt communication, excellent coworkers, a bit of sarcasm, and always doing the right thing regardless of how hard it is.
 What are you most proud of?Â
Tackling a big climb that looks intimidating and scary, and the smiles and excitement I get from the people. I put in a tree while teaching a variety of classes related to climbing and the tree care field.
How do you inspire other women?Â
I’m not too sure I inspire other women! I just consistently do what I do, and take pride in my work.
What is a piece of advice that you would like to share with our readers?Â
Work hard, it always pays off.
Lisa McDonald, Tea Haus
How did you become a business owner and a local leader in your field?
I was a business consultant and taught at the University of Tübingen, Germany for about 15 years. I owned my consulting company there so I have always been a business owner. One of my clients in Germany was a tea company and testing facility.
I was hired to help the “design a tea” sommelier training program and was certified as a tea sommelier in the process. When I returned to the US and ended up in Ann Arbor, I missed high quality loose tea so I took my sommelier training and connections in the tea industry and opened TeaHaus in 2007.
To what do you attribute your success?
I opened my business when I had a 2 year- old and an infant, so it was important that my business was part of a community where I wanted my boys to grow up. I focused my efforts on building this community. I also adhere to strict quality controls and I believe education is as important as sales.
What are you most proud of?
The community I have helped build and the community service I have been able to achieve because of TeaHaus.
How do you inspire other women?
I encourage everyone I meet who has an idea for a business to go for it. I am very honest about how hard it is and I don’t sugar-coat anything. I make myself available and I answer questions anytime while providing support, however I can.
What is a piece of advice that you would like to share with our readers?
Do your homework! It isn’t easy but it’s worth it.
Jessica Goniea— Jessica’s Apothecary
How did you become a business owner and local leader in your field?
I started my own business because I saw the opportunity to provide a higher level of customer service than I experienced elsewhere in my field. I realized I could elevate the spa experience for guests by:
- Providing high-quality organic skin care products (versus ones laden with chemicals and perfumes).
- Creating an environment that appeals to the senses and supports a calm central nervous system (natural materials, simple decor, relaxing music, beautiful aromas).
- Treating both the skin and the well-being of the whole client
To what do you attribute your success?
My success has come, in part, from the fact that I am an Esthetician and spa owner (not just a spa owner with a business background). I am able to attend to details neglected by other spas, with a passion that keeps me learning and innovating.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud to be independently supporting my family, including three children and a husband that is disabled due to mental illness. We have created a life on a 2.5-acre homestead where we garden and raise goats and ducks.
How do you inspire other women?
I hope I inspire others by creating a life where I follow my curiosities and passions while utilizing my gifts and talents and advocating for mental health and social justice. I also eat organic and local as much as possible, and cultivate self-care practices.
What is a piece of advice that you want to share with our readers?
Take deep breaths, give people the benefit of the doubt, create a good work-life balance and wash your face every night.
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
