LOCAL WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES SELECTED FOR 2009 ATHENA POWERLINK PROGRAM
May 11, 2009
National Mentoring Program sponsored by First Tennessee and CABLE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The ATHENAPowerLink® mentoring program has selected two women-owned companies, The Porch Company and Adventureworks, to participate in its 2009 class. Sponsored by First Tennessee and CABLE, ATHENAPowerLink® connects local women business owners with sound advice from a carefully selected panel of business leaders.
“Now in its second year in Nashville/Middle Tennessee, this program offers a rare opportunity for a woman-owned business to move up to the next level,” said Jan Stinson, CABLE liaison for the ATHENAPowerLink® Governing Body. “Last year’s participant, G Squared Wireless, hoped to double its income and client base. With the help of the program, the company actually tripled both while doubling its staff size.”
The Porch Company and Adventureworks were selected by the AthenaPowerLink® local governing body following an in-depth application and interview process. During the year-long program, each will have the opportunity to network, access capital and implement recommended best practices.
“Entrepreneurs founded both companies,” said Chip Higgins, senior vice president and business banking manager for First Tennessee. “As a member of the Nashville business community, First Tennessee understands the significance of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and looks forward to the opportunity to do so through this program.”
The Porch Company, owned by Nancy Moore and Audrey Williams, builds custom designed porches using techniques that infuse old-time craftsmanship with modern design and technology. Having left her job of nine years with IBM for a field that she knew nothing about, Moore now hopes to take her already successful business to the next level by developing a growth strategy that triples annual revenue through her participation in the ATHENAPowerLink® program.
Established in 1987, Adventureworks specializes in team building and experienced-based training. Founders Paula Feather and Jennifer Halverson hope to quadruple both sales volume and profits through their program experience.
Throughout the year, each company will work with an advisory panel to meet specific business objectives. Advisory panel members include: Jacob Arthur, Frasier, Dean and Howard; Jerry Heffel, Southwestern Companies; Gary LaRoy, Natural Path Marketing; Lisa Meiers, Avenue Bank; Barbara Moss, Stites & Harbison; Courtney Murray, First Tennessee Bank; Debra Owens, First Tennessee Bank; Dewayne Scott, SRS; Becky Sharpe, International Scholarship and Tuition Services; Kim Wainwright, Vaco Financial; and Charlie Williams, Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development.
For more information or to apply for the Athena PowerLink program, visit the CABLE website at www.nashvillecable.org.
