William McMillian

Building Brands That Impact Bottom Lines

At McMillian + Furlow cofounder, William McMillian, truly understands the importance of presenting an identity and message to help businesses stand out from the crowd. As an award-winning creative director, McMillian has worked for such media giants as The New York Times Magazine Group and Condé Nast. He has been recognized for his work and has received over 300 international, national and local design awards.

With such remarkable talent and skills he and his team are helping ordinary business owners achieve maximum results through marketing strategies that make them unique.

Tony Ellison

Transforming the Office Supply Industry

You may recall the early years when the Internet first began to show some signs of longevity. Who would have thought that it would become the gold mine that it is today. In 1994 Tony Ellison realized how beneficial the Internet would be for retailers.

As the founder and CEO of Shoplet.com, Ellison’s vision to change the way business owners and corporate America shop for business products has revolutionized the office products industry. While working as a senior executive for Goldman Sach’s technology division, Ellison’s foresight into the internet’s capability led him to start his company which today offers stiff competition for brick-and-mortar retailers.

Judy Hoberman

Promises to Increase Your Bottom Line

Andrew Colsky

Bakes Homemade K9 Pooch Treats

Nicko Williamson

London’s Latest Green Entrepreneur Achieves Success with Climatecars

Nicko is beginning to see the fruits of his labor after three years of hard work that he spent to begin his company Climatecars.

Not only is he fulfilling his dream as an entrepreneur and contributing to changing London’s environment, but Nicko’s entrepreneurial endeavor has become an asset to London’s economy. He employs 60 plus employees. In today’s world that’s a major feat, especially for the 27 year- old entrepreneur extraordinaire.

Derrick Miles

Using His Spiritual Gift to Change Lives

Derrick Miles, as a young man who was just about to become a college graduate, realized what he calls "his spiritual gift" – giving -- encouraging others to pursue their dreams and passions, and to accomplish their destinies.

Through Milestone Motivation, Inc., Miles and his brother Darryl have developed methods and techniques to help others live purposeful lives and achieve greatness, thereby eliminating burnout, frustration and ineffectiveness.

His leadership style resulted in remarkable success during his 12-year tenure as an executive in the health care industry. As a health care administrator, Miles handled operations and logistics for facilities that served over 140,000 patients, including more than 40,000 children each year. Throughout his administration, Ellis was responsible for revenue of $60 to $200 million.

David Riklan

Self Improvement Guru Shares Resources with Millions

Selfgrowth.com is a massive repository of resources designed to help hundreds of thousands of people enhance their lives through experts and other resources.

“The vision for Selfgrowth.com was to provide a one-stop shop for people to find out how to improve their lives,” says Riklan. “I found out that people want to improve and achieve more success in their lives. They want to improve their health. They want to improve their relationships, their finances and their level of spirituality. We identified a wide range of topics that fit within those areas.”

Dana Humphrey

World Traveler and Public Relations Expert

As a Public Relations expert, Humphrey is helping entrepreneurs, small business owners and others spotlight their accomplishments, their products and services. She enjoys connecting with people so much that she was inspired to start her company, Whitegate PR.

Humphrey has an advantage which most public relations experts don’t have - - she’s traveled to over 45 countries and has lived in five of them. “Being able to travel and connect with people from various backgrounds and languages definitely helps. I speak French and Spanish, which helps me in my day-to-day life as a PR consultant. It gives someone who speaks French or Spanish that confidence that I can better connect with them when I speak their language.” says Humphrey.

Rich Van Engers

A Stellar Reputation for Customer Service

Walethia Aquil

Grace and Charm

CJ Scarlet Walters

Toughness, Tenacity and Compassion

Rebel Brown

Rebelizing the Way Entrepreneurs Do Business

Cori Maedel

Oganizational Clarity: Effectively Managing Your Buisness

Amy Nakoss

Changing Your Restrictive Thought Processes

Greg Williams

America's #1 Negotiator

There’s more to negotiating than meets the eye and Williams has tremendous insights to offer anyone who wants to perfect their negotiation skills.

As a consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, Williams has provided award-winning consulting services to clients such as Dun & Bradstreet, Bank of America, Home Depot, the Xerox Corporation and many others.

Kristin Engvig

Empowering Women to Change the World

Women In Networking (WIN) is the vision of Engvig. It is an organization that is dedicated to supporting women, helping them to live extraordinary lives through their businesses and professions.

WIN has impacted women around the globe, helping them to bring a more feminine, global and sustainable vision to work places, communities and to life. The organization is designed to help women enhance their leadership skills, corporate performance and other areas of life. Women from Africa, Europe, America and many other countries have empowered themselves to think differently, re-evaluate their approach to business and develop new ways of achieving personal success.

Indra Nooyi

CEO of PepsiCo, Inc.

From potato chips, to bottled water and other products, PepsiCo’s brand can be found in kitchens across the globe and Indra Nooyi is at the helm of ensuring the success of the company.

The rock star turned business woman has been named by Fortune once again, as the most powerful businesswoman in the U.S. She has claimed the title for five successive years and she’s the first woman to head the company in its 41-year history.

Dr. Clint Pearman

America's Mental Toughness Coach

In the Marines Corps he observed the methodology used to prepare young soldiers to become some of the most mentally tough people in the world who excel under adverse conditions and in extreme environments.

He uses the knowledge that he obtained through education and research to train sales teams at major corporations. In addition, he motivates individuals to realize their capabilities and to view obstacles as opportunities.

As the founder of Copenology, the brain science of optimum human performance, Pearman has applied Copenology principles in a variety of fields, ranging from recruiting in the United States Marine Corps to Navy sailors trying to lose weight. He has also provided personal relationship coaching.

William R. Patterson

President, The Baron Solution

His methodology for achieving success has had a lifelong impact on major corporations, small business owners, and individuals alike. His genius approach to wealth, success and influence has benefited such clients as The Boeing Company, Morgan Stanley, CBS Radio, Inc., Intel Corporation and countless others. Patterson has dedicated his life to helping people discover their true potential and fulfill their aspirations of achieving success.

Among his many achievements as CEO of the Baron Solution Group, he is ranked as one of the top Business Motivational Speakers in America. Patterson is also a three-time award-winning lecturer who uses his signature Baron Solution Approach to coach, train, and motivate small business owners, executives, sales professionals and investors.

Mark Parker

President & CEO, Nike, Inc.

At the helm of this innovative sports authority and shoe empire is Mark Parker, President and CEO. Years before becoming CEO, Parker was a team player. He joined Nike, Inc. as one of its first footwear designers in 1979.

Since then his innovative thinking and creative design concepts have helped to propel Nike, Inc. to new heights. His roles at the footwear giant have included, Vice President of Consumer Product Marketing, Vice President of Global Footwear and Co-President of the Nike Brand. Parker has also spearheaded the way for Nike Air and many other advances in product design.

Since the age of eight, Merletta began doodling with crayons. Well, her doodles have now become masterpieces of nature.

She has chosen to use her talents as a celebrity artist to fund school art programs and bring wisdom into the classroom, while also helping young kids express their creativity.

In a way, she’s gradually becoming a legend in her own right. Martin has struck gold in the sense that she has become the bridge between extraordinary leaders in communities across the nation and young kids who need inspiration and role models to inspire them to realize their potential.

He is a visionary, an innovator and pioneer who helped change the face of technology, the personal computer.

At an early age, Steve Jobs had an inquisitive mind – a mind for electronics, gadgetry and independence and his ingenuity would later prove to change the lives of millions of prospective consumers. Born in San Francisco, Jobs would one day shock the world with his creativity. Photo courtesy of Apple.

Hair styling -- a combination of art, skill and talent. Her style is versatile and it’s her sense of style that keeps her customers coming back.

A native of El Salvador, Sandra Pena came to America as an immigrant to fulfill her dream of becoming a successful hair stylist.

For over 20 years Sandra worked as a stylist in various salons, perfecting her craft and waiting for the perfect opportunity to open her own shop.

City lights, entertainment, Las Vegas. It it’s a place that’s been called many things, including Sin City. Las Vegas is also known as the wedding capital of the world. Who knows that better than Joni Moss, Las Vegas’ wedding expert? If you can dream it, she can help you execute it. Joni has helped many couples have the wedding of their dreams, whether in parking lots, drive-ins or the Grand Canyon.

Looking great, smelling great and a savvy businessman! He’s got what it takes! What is “IT”? “IT” is the daring spirit of being in total control of his entrepreneurial destiny, the ability to know when to go against the grain and when to ride the wave. Geir Ness has men and women all over the country smelling, looking and feeling great. He’s helping women feel good about themselves, not only through his products but also through his inspirational presentations.

As a person who had no prior political experience, Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon has embraced her role with fortitude, dignity and grace. Her ability to make things happen is phenomenal. She attributes her success as Mayor of Riverdale, Georgia to the staff and city workers she calls her family and, of course, to her faith and her deeply rooted belief that with God all things are possible. Mayor Wynn-Dixon is truly changing the face of Riverdale, in areas of education, youth programs, the environment, business and economic development and the community as a whole.

What does it mean to make a positive impact during our stay on the planet? Is it how many possessions we acquire, how much money we make, the THINGS we leave behind; or more specifically is it ALL the lives we touch over a lifetime that creates our legacy?

What makes a company great is not only its end product or service but the working elements behind the product, including its people.

Over the past several years, Verizon has been among leading companies when it comes to corporate citizenship, diversity and innovation.

Verizon has been recognized many times for its dedication to workplace diversity from an employer standpoint, as well as working with diverse suppliers, including women-owned businesses. .

Have you every tasted a pie, biscuit or donut and said to yourself, Hmmm! Ah! Delicious!? Perhaps you’ve been Bamatized!

From pies, to cakes to biscuits, it’s perfection from the oven. Who’s behind such delectable treats? The Bama Companies, Inc. and its employees who believe in delivering perfection. At the center of such perfection is Paula Marshall-Chapman, CEO of the Bama Companies, Inc.

It began in 1927 as a family owned business in the kitchen of Cornelia Alabama “BAMA” Marshall when people would line up outside her door to sample her delicious homemade pie.

Every person who has walked this earth has come to a point in their life when they felt a need to make a change. Sometimes the need for change comes from boredom, sometimes it comes from impatience or discontent and sometimes the need for change comes from something much deeper.

For me, the need for change was sparked in 1999 as I was preparing to enter my 40th year. At that time, I was the co-owner of a manufacturing company that was in the process of making a substantial leap in our revenues. The company was in its sixth year and many of the clients we had been pursuing were finally starting to place sizable orders. After much blood, sweat and tears, we were finally ready to reap the rewards of a job well-done.

The Next Stage began in the autumn of 1978...with a dream and scouting trips that began in the mid 1960's. The "next stage" was beckoning me to ride it with people of all ages to explore the wonders of the world around us. Some they might have been yearning to see, others I would reveal to them: great canyons, giant redwood forests, ghost towns, island caves and coves with abalone shells just a-sparklin' in the sun. My dream included mountain meadows, wave-splashed coastlines, sand dunes and colorful desert wildflowers, viewed from a bus, jeep, train or hot air balloon. I would offer visits to secret gardens, country places, and to forests with a thousand shades of green.

Here was my chance to offer the public discovery tours of nature, history, cultural experiences and adventure and to make a "living" at it too!  That dream is in its 30th year of realization.  My hair has turned from black to "essence of pearl" but my imagination hasn't quit, and I still have a child's curiosity and an adventurous spirit. "The Next Stage" was more than the name of my tour company-- it was THE NEXT STAGE of my life.

Rosalyn O'Neale - Changing the Face of Corporate America

O’Neale’s passion for diversity and inclusion has inspired many corporations to re-evaluate and change their human resource strategies that have resulted in new levels of success. Her wit and humor combined with true leadership skills is the reason behind the success of many corporations and the success of employees who have applied her principles and keys of success to their daily lives and their approach to employee/employer relationships.

Sean Thomas - From Passion to the Plate

Chef Sean Thomas has made his mark in the culinary world as a dynamic, highly-motivated and creative chef. Originally heralding from Washington, D.C., Chef Thomas, often known as the “business savvy chef,” began his career with Houlihan’s Restaurants, Inc., more than eight years ago.

Willing to start at the bottom and as he puts it, “I asked them if I could peel potatoes.” While doing whatever he was asked to do, Sean paid attention to what was happening around him – how the chefs were preparing daily meals. “I saw some of the same things Grandma made except they had a professional name to it, like mixing the butter and flour. That’s called rue in the real world. I thought, Oh Yea! I could that! It happened and here I am.

Dennis Stanley - Layers of Sweetness Any Way You Like It

Ever since I was a small child I would watch my mother and grandmother in our South Carolina kitchen, learning the ins and outs of creating cakes, biscuits and teacakes. When I got older, I entered the military. The scenery changed but my passion for cooking did not.

I started Chantel’s Cakes & Pastries in Leesburg, Virginia, (which I named after my daughter) so that I could be free to unleash my potential and establish a niche in the community that has yet to be filled by other bakeries. From wedding cakes to catering corporate meetings to life’s celebrations, Chantel’s provides cakes, pies, cheesecakes, breakfast pastries, cookies and other tempting creations. Not only does Chantel’s offer traditional treats, there’s also a menu of allergen-free and special dietary selections, including vegan as well as desserts free of gluten, eggs, dairy products, soy, nuts, and sugar.

Betsie Miklos - Lessons Learned From a Successful CEO

At an early age it seemed that Betsie was destined for success. Not only has Betsie succeeded in an industry that has been considered by many to be male oriented, but she obtained her Mathematics degree in 1965, during a time when it was certainly an extraordinary achievement for women. In her own right, she has broken records.

Betsie founded a software engineering company, Miklos Systems, Inc., which supports government contracts. The environment at Miklos Systems is one of family. Everyone is encouraged to learn and grow. Employees are also encouraged to consult with co-workers to learn more about specific technological areas prior to moving to new positions within the company.

A major reason for the success of Miklos Systems Inc. is that Betsie has hired employees that she likes being around, respects, and trusts.

Betsie’s approach to business can be used as an exceptional guide for anyone who wants to follow their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. Whether you want to start a technology company or a business in another field, many of the principles she has applied to her business can help you achieve success in your company. If your goal is to run a 100+ person company or a one person business, preparation, trust and respect will help you set a solid foundation for success.

Carl Ferrell - The Man, The Brand

As a young child, Carl Ferrell, believed in setting himself apart from those who wanted to follow the crowd. At a very young age he knew deep inside that he would have an impact on the lives of others.

More widely known as Versatile, Carl used his gifts as an artist to create a solid foundation for an entertainment empire that has all the ingredients of longevity.

Why the name Versatile? Because his vision, his way of thinking and his approach to business has produced extraordinary results on various levels.

Versatile’s innovative spirit and ability to think outside the box have allowed him to create a amazing platform for other entrepreneurs and artists of various genres to showcase their products and talents. His brand attracts people of all ethnicities.

Keasha Lee - Striking Statements

Two years ago, my mother reunited with her ex-husband that she had virtually no contact with for more than 30 years. In the summer of 2004, he reached her with a phone call; after the initial conversation, they continued to talk on the phone, started spending some weekends together, and fell back in love. By the following spring they were married again.

A story like my mother’s is not common by any means, so I wanted to make sure that their wedding party celebration was one that they would remember forever. As my wedding gift to them, I coordinated their entire wedding party from finding the perfect venue to hold the event to ensuring that the menu contained their favorite foods, flower arrangements contained my mother’s favorite flowers, and members of both families were present to experience the wonderful occasion. The party was a huge hit and others were very impressed that I managed to plan and coordinate the whole thing which took place in the Southern Virginia town of Charlottesville, from where I live in Northern Virginia.

Since my mother’s wedding party, I decided to turn my talents into a service to make other people’s romantic celebrations a statement about their lives, whether it’s a reflection of where they have been, where they are currently, or a transition to where they want to go. My goal is to make their statement striking; one that others won’t forget. It is on this concept that I created Striking Statements Special Events.

Kristina Pickett - Never Alone In Home Care

I have a poignant question for everyone. “What preparations have you made to help an aging loved one?”  If you were like me the answer is …none.   The National Family Caregivers Association states that people over the age of 85 are the fastest growing segment of the population.  This would include some of our loved ones.
Thus begins my journey.  About 4 or 5 years ago my elderly mother in-law took ill and was diagnosed with cancer.  She had always been an independent woman but due to her illness she could no longer live alone in her apartment so my husband and I moved her into our home.  The thought of one day having to move in an aging parent had never even crossed our minds, so not only were we not prepared mentally, we did not have the physical space for another bed.  We decided to turn our office into a bedroom and quickly redecorated our cold hard office into something that would be pleasant and comfortable.

Suddenly we were caught in what has been coined the “sandwich generation”, caught between caring for an aging or ailing loved one while raising a family and/or nurturing a career.  Our children at the time were young, elementary and middle school aged, and my husband and I were determined not to disturb their normal schedule of sports, friends and various school activities.

I decided to start a non-medical home health care company in which I would draw from my personal experiences and offer assistance to the many families facing the same or similar circumstances.  After much thought and much help from my husband, I decided to call my company Never Alone In Home Care.  Our mission is to maintain dignity and quality of life to the aging loved one and their families by providing services that would allow professional and compassionate care givers to assist those in need with their daily activities.  These services include but are not limited to: assisting with bathing and dressing, light cooking, light housekeeping, transportation, errands, companionship and respite care (assuming the duties of a family/primary caregiver so that they could have some time for themselves).  It is my sincere hope that by providing dependable and high quality service to families in need, we would alleviate most of the stress and strain that loved ones go through.

Yvetta Drayton - The Sewing Diva

When I moved to Loudoun County about 8 years ago, I noticed that there were a lot of young people here but very little activities for them.  I wanted to start a sewing school then but it was not feasible.  Years later, when my work schedule changed, I started teaching sewing part-time in my home.  When my work schedule changed yet again in spring 2006, I decided to take the plunge and pursue my dream of opening a sewing studio where people, young and young at heart, could learn to sew.  I want to empower others to unleash their creativity through sewing.

The Sewing Diva, LLC operates The Studio of Fiber Arts, a school that offers classes in garment sewing, home décor sewing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting.  The Sewing Diva, LLC also designs and fabricates custom window treatments and bedding.

When I ‘retired’ from my television job and transitioned into my business full-time, I acquired students and clients immediately.  One year later, in addition to myself, I now have 5 great teachers and great classes for the summer.