From the Publisher | June & July 2019
Welcome to Tex Appeal’s annual Women in Business issue.
During the planning phase for this issue, our staff agreed that choosing which women to feature was quite a challenge—there are so many fascinating stories we wanted to share. I hope you’ll agree that the creative, talented, passionate women you’ll read about here are representative of the best in Central Texas.
The business world has changed dramatically since 1987 when I became editor and publisher of the Temple Daily Telegram and Killeen Daily Herald and president of KCEN-TV. I know firsthand what it feels like to walk into a boardroom as the only female attending a meeting, which was the norm at that time. Clearly, more doors are open now and it is not unusual to see women serving as CEOs, presidents and executive directors of large businesses. At the opposite end of the spectrum, it is also not unusual to see women starting their own businesses from home, embracing the opportunity to spend time with their children and still participate in the world of business.
Jen Woodhouse is a fine example of someone who has parlayed her talents into a successful home-based business in Harker Heights, a military wife who home-schools her children. Jen has built her business, The House of Wood, by making a traditionally male activity, woodworking, more accessible to women. Corporations, like toolmaker Makita and The Home Depot, sponsor Jen’s work, acknowledging that an investment in the non-traditional female market is a smart marketing strategy in today’s world. (p. 30)
Another feature in this issue focuses on Rose Smith—she’s the CEO of Black Women in Business, a network of female business owners who have joined forces to build markets for their products and services. Our writer, Mandy Shelton, reports that, during the interview at a chapter meeting in Killeen, Rose’s message was clear—women must look beyond boundaries, reach out and lift each other up, no matter what our differences. In Rose’s words, “We are better together!” (p. 34)
On our cover, we introduce you to two women who’ve certainly devoted their lives to lifting others up. Candace Cartwright, founder of Foster Love Bell County, and Kim White, founder of The 4-1-1 House, travel a selfless path to help the underserved in our community. They’ve established homes where children and teens seeking safety and support can come for help. (p. 24)
Another inspiring woman featured in this issue is Amanda Simpson, a teacher at Belton High School. Her Money Matters class introduces students to real-life skills, like budgeting, banking, understanding debt and making good career choices. She believes that every high-school student should be encouraged to make smart financial choices from day one. (p. 8)
On a lighter note, for busy women professionals who give tirelessly of themselves every day, we’ve rounded up a list of fabulous spa treatments available in our area. (p. 76)
I encourage you to take note of the women in your workplace who enhance your life and bring out the best in you. In the words of Melinda Gates, “If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.”
Sue Mayborn
Tex Appeal publisher