Top Women Business Owners

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named five outstanding women entrepreneurs as the top women in small business in 2005. The women received their awards in Washington, D.C., during National Small Business Week, April 26-28, 2005.

“These ladies will leave no doubt in anyone's mind that women are the economic powerhouse of the 21st century,” announced SBA Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus. “They are innovators and job creators and they make clear why women are the fastest-growing segment of our economy.”

The judging was based on staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, current and past financial reports, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions to aid community-oriented projects.

Profiles of SBA Outstanding Women of the Year:

Daisy Gallagher, COO
Gallagher & Gallagher, Inc., Stroudsburg, PA

In 1999, nine years after starting her advertising and PR firm, Daisy Gallagher and her company became the first small business in Pennsylvania to become an approved supplier for the federal government. This allowed the company, which had expanded to a New York City location, to open offices in Washington, D.C., and Scranton, Pennsylvania Gallagher's clients include the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency. Gallagher credits her success to advice she received from the SBA and SCORE. Since 2002, the firm's gross income has increased 35% each year.

Edna Lopez, President & CEO
COMPA, Inc. Industries, Albuquerque, NM

COMPA Industries Inc. has provided personnel staffing services to federal, state and local governments as well as private industry for the past 17 years. The company, founded by her late husband, Rene Lopez, in 1966, bases its success on investing in the talents of its employees and analyzing its customers' operations to find the right people to fit customers' staffing needs. Edna has been president and CEO of the company since 1996.

Doreen Marks, President
Otis Products, Inc., dba/Otis Technology, Inc. Lyons Falls, NY

Doreen Marks developed a prototype for a portable gun cleaning kit at age 16. The prototype led to the birth of Otis Products, initially operated by Doreen, her parents and her siblings. Doreen's idea was patented and, in the years since, Otis has created 180 products, earning more than 30 patents. Otis Products is considered the leading manufacturer of firearms maintenance systems. Sales have grown to more than $10.7 million in 2004. The company is HUBZone Certified and has been awarded several large federal contracts.

Sylvia Medina, President
North Wind, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID

Under Sylvia Medina's leadership, North Wind has become a leader in environmental engineering and construction. With a staff of over 200, including engineers, environmental scientists and geographical information specialists, the company provides consulting solutions ranging from drilling and excavations operations to serving as a link to universities researching solutions to water pollution. The company's net income has averaged increases of 45% over the last three years, with $23 million in earnings in 2004.

Jean Thiel, President
Belonger Corporation, West Bend, WI

In 2000, Jean Thiel started Wisconsin's only woman-owned and American Indian-owned mechanical contracting company. The firm received 8(a) certification from the SBA in its first year as well as SBA-backed financing and bonding. From a start of three owner-operators, one employee and four customers, the company has grown to 27 employees and over 200 customers. The company owes much of its success to Jean's relentless pursuit of projects and customers, and her unwillingness to take “no” for an answer.

For more information about the U.S. Small Business Administration and its resources available to small businesses, visit www.sba.gov.

If you're a small business owner, consider these AMA seminars:

• AMA's Course for Presidents and CEOs
• AMA's Advanced Executive Leadership Program

AMA On-site: Every one of AMA's 170+ public seminars can be delivered on-site. This flexible, money-saving option allows you to train ten or more people, when and where you choose, at a low cost per participant.