Mindy Kermes, Lexicon Bank VP and Senior Relationship Manager served as a moderator of questions for the panel of incredible Las Vegas women business leaders. Below are a few sound bites from Q&A to serve as encouragement and advice for fellow women’s small business owners, female professionals, and other aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. Why did you first open your business? What inspired you to start your business?

Sonia Petkewich:  I always knew as a young girl that I wanted to be my own boss. I was raised with a tough shell. I thought there had to be a win-win-win situation for a client, recruiter, and candidate. I wanted to blow it up and do it my way. I wanted to be creative about actually helping people get jobs because that's how people thrive. When people are doing what they want to do they are living their best lives, providing for their families, and fulfilling their dreams. To be a tiny part of that is pretty amazing. 

Lelia Friendlander: My parents were entrepreneurs and my father owned his own business. So, for me, it was always possible. My husband and I spoke a lot about what we wanted for our futures, and owning a business was something that both he and I thought we could do. After being inspired by a solar screen company in San Diego, my husband and I moved to Vegas to start our own business. When I look back at it now I think it was a leap of faith and that when you say yes to opportunity, very often it does work out for you but you really have to work for it and strive for it. 

Elena Ledoux: My whole life I thought I would be bad at business and avoided it but, it turns out, I’m actually not too bad. When my friend from Uzbekistan got her green card she called me and said that she would need a job. Together we decided to start a cleaning business because we only had to invest $1,000. We were terrified, but it worked out. I have now automated everything, allowing me to only spend one hour a week on my maid service. Additionally, my husband started a security screens company. The company exploded and he needed help managing and running the company so I came in, cleaned it up, and automated and optimized everything I could. The company has now tripled in growth since last year. 

Dr. Souzan El-Eid: I’ve been a doctor all my life. I first became a general surgeon and my fellowship was in critical care trauma. I joined the general surgery group in New York before I decided I wanted to open my own practice. While I was practicing general surgery, a lot of women started to come to me as I  was the only woman surgeon between Albany and Manhattan. Eventually, a synagogue in New York asked me to teach them about the BRCA gene so I began to focus on breast cancer. During the day I was taking care of women, doing mammograms, and treating breast cancer and at night I was still practicing general surgery. I then went to the CEO of the hospital and offered to help build a breast center, which we needed. From there, I decided I wanted to only be a breast surgeon. I then moved to Vegas in 2009 and sold my practice in New York. I joined Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and brought a breast center to Summerlin hospital too. 

Diana Bennett: I've been in the gaming business most of my life. I have been the General Manager for two casinos at once, been a COO, and a president among other roles. One day, I got a phone call from a friend that knew a Native American tribe that wanted to open a Casino which led me to start building casinos, including in Canada, and eventually purchase the Hard Rock in Tahoe. 

Chaka Crome: I grew up here and am a first-generation college student and law school student. After law school, I was very fortunate that my family had connections and I was able to work for a very good law firm. I started practicing law in 2002 and opened my own firm in 2012. I noticed as I got closer to 2012 that people began to look to me for answers which led me to realize I could open my own law firm where I could work my hours around being a mom. 

2. Can you give us one piece of advice on what you do to manage work-life balance?

Sonia Petkewich:  Give yourself grace! There are times I miss things but I do the best that I can every day. I also think it is super important to not judge others how they show up. 

Lelia Friendlander: What has saved me is my tribe. When I found NAWBO, I needed other businesswomen to talk to and I needed to know that my struggles were something that these other women in business were also experiencing. NAWBO’s educational platform helped me better myself, gain confidence, get smarter, manage my business properly, and learn what I needed to. It has also provided me with women who could support me and I could support as well. 

Elena Ledoux: The one hack that always saves me is what I call the index card hack. Every morning I sit down, take out an index card, write down my to-do list and all the things that I want to accomplish that day, including personal and business tasks. I keep this card with me wherever I go and cross things off as I go.

Dr. Souzan El-Eid: I exercise, travel, read, and spend quality time with friends. I also put in my calendar everything that I am going to do that day, including if I need to call someone. I believe that if you do things genuinely and with quality, integrity and respect, everything else just comes your way and you have no regrets. It’s okay to say no if you are overwhelmed! 

Diana Bennett: When the pandemic hit I discovered Zoom and WebX and all those virtual options. I learned that you don't need to go somewhere every time you have a meeting and that there can be time for family and friends. I now go to the office two days a week instead of five days a week and see my family a whole lot more by embracing this technology. 

Chaka Crome: What has helped me is identifying what it is that I need to recharge. I then communicated these things clearly to the people close to me. Additionally, every Tuesday morning my husband and I carve out time to plan to talk about our week. These intentional conversations allow us to prepare for the week and ensure we touch on all the topics we need to.

3. How can our community and other businesses be a support system for other female business owners and leaders?

Chaka Crome: We should have more exchange of information and be more intentional about referring to each other. 

Diana Bennett: I think it is important to be together and support each other through networking and organizations like NAWBO. 

Dr. Souzan El-Eid: Do the right thing! It doesn't matter what people around you think. When an opportunity comes your way the key is to recognize it and have the courage to do the right thing. 

Elena Ledoux: I believe in professionals whose career is to help other women. If we all help women and support them, that's the best we can do. 

Lelia Friendlander: Shop women-owned businesses. Invest your time and money in women, if you are able. Mentorship is another important way we can help each other. 

Sonia Petkewich: Women are beautiful tapestries of experiences. I am always amazed to see how women got to where they are. It is never the traditional male path, instead, I think it is always this beautiful journey. I wish more women took the risk of sharing their stories, and by that, we can all grow and find connectivity.