As we wrap up 2013, we hope you are inspired by the abundance of advice offered up today from our 43 FACES of Memphis and FACES of the South 2013 women. We certainly are. Today’s post is filled with thoughtful advice and words to live by, so grab an extra cup of coffee and enjoy. These women are all amazing.
Note: all the photos are by Beth Hontzas, except Liz Legg who was photographed by Catherine Mayo.
FACES of Birmingham
PinDeborah Stone, owner Stone Hollow Farm and The Pantry
“I have been blessed to receive much great advice over the years, most of it from my husband, who is also my accountant and financial adviser. But, what comes to mind with this question is this: I had 20+ employees at the 3 year mile mark with my spa and I was struggling to develop a core group of strong team players. One day, the man who imported my European line of cosmetics, Darphin, came in and said one thing that changed my perspective forever. He said that I no longer needed to focus on being the best aesthetician, that I now needed to be the best teacher. “It’s ok for [your staff] to be better than you. Now you’re the coach, not the player.” Within a year I had a core team that ultimately stayed the course for the remainder of time I owned the spa. Today we are all still great friends!”- Debra Stone
PinKelly Hulsey, landscape designer
“Slow down!”- Kelly Hulsey
PinTiffany Denson, owner T Lish Dressings
“My friend, Sara Blakely of Spanx Inc., one time said to be careful who you share your dreams with because so often those closest to you will cause you to doubt the very thing you believe in. That is so often true, not because these people don’t want you to succeed, but often because of their own fears and way of thinking.”- Tiffany Denson
PinCharlotte Thompson (left) and her sister, Jenna Lee Fleming (right), owners Bella Bridesmaids
JL: “Be aware of your competition, but never let it consume you.”
C: “You have to maintain BALANCE with your work and personal life. No matter what, there are never enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that you need to do. If you do not take time for yourself to create balance in your life, the business that you love so dearly, you will start to resent.”
PinLaura Beers, artist
Best piece of advice ever given to me was from a girlfriend a long time ago: Rest and be beautiful.
PinDana Wolter, interior designer
“Right now, the advice that sticks with me is there is no shame in putting yourself out there and not achieving something. Never let fear keep you from trying something. Another good one is life is hard, but it is even harder when you don’t do the right thing.” – Dana Wolter
PinAllison Page, owner of B’hma’s only aerial pilates studio, Aero Joe
“You don’t have to be a starving artist. It’s valuable to learn other skills, and if you are really meant to be an artist, you will find a way because you must.” -Allison Page
PinLara MacGregor, founder Hope Scarves
“If you have a good mission, people will support you. Stay focused on your mission.”- Lara MacGregor
PinPatricia Murray, owner of Table Matters
“My mom used to always say, ‘Don’t say or put anything in writing you don’t want repeated,’ which I think is good advice for all ages then and now.”- Patricia Murray
PinLiz Hand Woods, interior designer
“Do what you love and love what you do.”- Liz Hand Woods
PinAutumn Yatabe, geology professor at Samford University
“What would a man do?” Got that from my Mother many times when I was young and insecure.”- Autumn Yatabe
PinCatherine Pittman Smith, photographer
“Be true to thine own self. I just wish I had taken that tidbit of advice earlier in my life, but I finally figured it out. Another is It’s better to be kind than right. That one can be a challenge sometimes.”- Catherine Pittman Smith
PinLucy Smith, of Lucy Smith Designs
“Don’t make decisions based out of fear.” – Lucy Smith
PinKrista Conlin, KC Projects
“TRAVEL. My grandmother instilled a sense of adventure in me that continuously energizes my spirit. Travel fundamentally transforms us, stokes curiosity, expands awareness, introduces greater diversity, promotes patience, provides learning, reinforces the willingness to broaden horizons and gets us unstuck so we can move in new directions.”- Krista Conlin
PinKendall Jackson, owner of Suite Dreams
“My parents have been a wonderful example of advice over the years. The best advice, which I learned from them, is put others before yourself. Giving to others is the most rewarding act of kindness, and when done with a pure heart, it beats treating yourself any day!”- Kendall Jackson
PinDanielle Davis and Lindsay Lancaster, owners of Pure Barre Birmingham
Greatest piece of advice for someone on a mission to either lose weight or get healthier?
Danielle: You are gorgeous in your skin, regardless of how much of it you want to lose or keep; the essence of you is the beauty that remains when all of the exterior or surface things fade. I am an advocate of health and wellness, obviously, but I am more of an active encourager of self-acceptance, if you will. I love seeing women click into a sense of confidence about who they are, not about what they look like.
Lindsay: We like to encourage our clients to create a healthy and active lifestyle, which is different for each person. Creating a healthy balance that works for you, with exercise, eating clean and sleeping, all which are sometimes compromised but a set routine helps keep yourself accountable.
PinAmanda LeBlanc, professional organizer, owner of The Amandas
“To make sure, in life, that you are always running towards something, not from something. I have seen many people run from something they don’t like or aren’t happy with and wind up in an even worse situation. It’s better not to run, but to figure out what you DO want and go get it!”- Amanda LeBlanc
PinSandy Naramore, director of Mitchell’s Place
“In the workplace, if you are making EVERYONE happy, you’re not doing a good job.”- Sandy Naramore
PinDorothy McDaniel, floral designer
“From my father: A lot of people may do what you do well; the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is great customer service.”- Dorothy McDaniel
PinIla Faye Miller, director of Studio By the Tracks
“Always be kind to other people.”- Ila Faye Miller
PinDolester Miles, Executive Pastry Chef of Highland’s Bar and Grill, Bottega and Chez Fon Fon.
“My mother always told me, ‘Don’t over-extend yourself.'”- Dolester Miles
PinTracy James, wardrobe consultant and stylist
“I’m going to give three, not only because they all came from the same friend, but also because I’ve applied them to my life recently.
1) Bet on yourself. Some great things have happened when I’ve stopped second guessing myself and taken a risk.
2) The success you achieve depends on the decisions you make and the company you keep. Every action matters, and being surrounded by positive people who applaud good life choices is invaluable.
3) Just be. Too often, I over think, over analyze and agonize, when in reality I need to step back, relax and just ‘be.'”- Tracy James
PinRebecca Gordon, founder of Buttermilk Lipstick
“I have two: Treat others as you would want to be treated. Don’t judge. You just don’t know what they’ve been through.”- Rebecca Gordon
PinLiza Elliott, sociology professor, artist, author
“Best Advice to me for general purposes: Be polite. Be humble. Go explore the world.”- Liza Elliott
AshLeigh: Never look back. If Cinderella had looked back to pick up her shoe, she never would have become a princess. Of course this doesn’t mean we’ll all become princesses, but if you look to the future instead of dwell on the past, you’ll go a lot further in life.
Katie: Everyone has different path in life, but we are all equal when it comes down to it. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
PinMargot Shaw, Editor of flower
“…“Wait on the Lord.” Patience is so challenging, but always rewarded—one way or another.”- Margot Shaw
PinJoy O’Neal, Executive Director of The Red Barn
“Always keep in mind that God has a plan for your life, even the rotten and unhappy times. The older I get, the more I realize that it was what I learned during some of my most painful experiences that has made me a better person and helped me bring comfort to others. I love it when I can look back on those painful situations and see how it fits into the bigger picture.”- Joy O’Neal
PinMissie Crawford, stylist
“[A mentor] told me, ‘Stop, look and listen. You will be amazed what you can learn from others.’ Robin Roberts, after battling breast cancer and now bone marrow cancer, said, ‘Make Your Mess Your Message'”- Missie Crawford
PinMelanie Pounds, interior designer
“Do the best you can do. To me, that means learning from my strengths and from my weaknesses: Those things that humble us can be the greatest opportunities for growth. Also, that my friends and family are the most important parts of my life.”- Melanie Pouds
PinCarrie Beth Taylor, artist
“‘Just ask. All they can say is no.’ My mother always said this to me growing up. That advice has taken me far!”- Carrie Beth Taylor
PinLiz Legg, potter, painter, and jeweler
“’Go for it, and never doubt.’ I constantly think about this advice when I am debating approaching a new store or working on new designs. The person who gave me this advice explained that the greatest obstacle people have is themselves, and people constrain themselves with their own self doubt.”- Liz Legg
FACES of the South
PinFaith Hill, singer
“Stand up for what you believe. Follow your gut, which most of the time is your heart talking. This has been my hardest lesson. I have given this advice and not always followed it myself. The truth is, there is no other way.” – Faith Hill
PinCarla Hall, chef, TV personality
“Love what you do. Never compromise your dreams or desires for the sake of money.” – Carla Hall
PinKimberly McDonald, jewelry designer
“My friend and fellow jewelry designer Nicholas Varney told me: ‘Buy what you think is beautiful. If you do that, you will always end up with a beautiful final piece.’ It is true. I take that with me any time I am looking for materials to work with.” – Kimberly McDonald
PinMichelle Weaver, executive chef at Charleston Grill
“My father told me, ‘Remember who you are and who you represent.'” – Michelle Weaver
PinAngie Johnson, veteran and singer
“If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that life passes by in phases, and phases end. So if you’re in a phase of life that is just totally amazing, then relish every second. On the flip-side, if you’re at a low point or in a stressful place, keep the faith because that phase will end and a new one will begin. You just have to hang on until then. I’ve given that advice to a lot of deployed troops or friends going through work or marriage troubles…or newborns, ha ha!” – Angie Johnson
PinLaurie Ann Goldman, CEO of Spanx
“Strive for the three ‘Be’s’: Be naïve, be real, be hungry. Be naïve enough to believe in your dreams, but also be aware of the obstacles. Know the odds, but believe you can beat them. Be real enough to connect with consumers and cross that difficult divide from brand loyalty to brand love. Be hungry enough to realize that when ideas stand still, they get old and are eventually replaced by better ideas.” – Laurie Ann Goldman
PinHeidi Elnora, Project Runway alum and wedding dress designer
“I was never allowed to say the word can’t or quit any sports when I was a little girl. My parents taught me that I could do anything that I set my mind to and that to be successful, you had to keep going even when the going gets tough.” – Heidi Elnora
PinElaine Turner, owner of Elaine Turner
“To live wholeheartedly with compassion, courage and connection. This is my daily mantra as a mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend, business owner and mentor.” – Elaine Turner
PinAmy Grant, singer
“During those heavy workload, sleep deprived years of the early 1990s, my mother-in-law, Mary Chapman, suggested I pray this simple prayer every day: ‘Lord, lead me today to those I need and to those who need me and let something I do have eternal significance. Amen.’ That simple prayer continually reboots my anticipation and openness about what a day might hold.” – Amy Grant
PinDamaris Phillips, chef, TV personality
“Life is finite. Every single day I wish I could have just one more conversation, or cup of coffee, or even just one more laugh with my dad. But missing him helps me to love the people in my life with that much more abandon. And so it is the best lesson of all.” – Damaris Phillips
PinRebecca Darwin, CEO and founder of Garden & Gun magazine
“It really goes back to my parents instilling in me the belief that one can do whatever they want to if they don’t give up. So, I guess, my mantra is all about guts and being willing to do things a little differently. The letter that hangs in my office from a reader in 2009 that says, ‘If you close this magazine, I will hunt you down and shoot you!’ was also a pretty good motivator to overcome the odds.” – Rebecca Darwin
PinSister Schubert/Patricia Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert’s
“When something would come up that was something I did not feel comfortable deciding on, I have always sought advice from the people that had the expertise and knowledge that I did not have. I do know this: you must believe in yourself and in your product or service. Grow as fast as you can, but as slowly as you have to to maintain your quality. All things are possible with God’s help. I believe I was lucky to bring a product to the marketplace at just the right time—a fully-baked frozen yeast roll—when there was nothing else like it at the time. We filled a niche in the grocery stores, and that made it much easier to sell.” – Patricia Barnes
We hope you are each just as inspired by these amazing women as we are.
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