Her Story
About Annie
I was a federal employee for 37 years, working for the Small Business Administration, and I loved what I did. I worked a lot with women entrepreneurs and created annual events for them. I also did international trade for our Office District International Trade Center, then audited our women's business centers, and I was a specialist, so I worked with our lenders and did chamber events. I was always out in the field, so I really enjoyed meeting other people and helping small businesses with counseling them on resources that are available, loan programs, and just connecting with people. That was my life for a long time. I retired on December 31st because it was just getting so crazy with all the changes and stuff, and I just felt like it was the perfect time for me to make a change. I'm 58, and so I wasn't quite ready to retire, but I was ready to leave the federal service. Right now I'm substitute teaching at my grandchildren's schools and selling life insurance, just kind of trying to figure out what I want to do with the next part of my life. I've thought about packaging loans for lenders, being a consultant for them under the SBA program, so I've reached out to a few lenders as well, trying to start some sort of consulting, but more on the lending side, but still participating a lot in the women events that are around.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Annie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think my parents, my dad's always been a hard worker, and he's taught me faith, family, and friends in that order. He worked 2 or 3 jobs at a time, and as a single mom, I was working 2 or 3 jobs at a time. It's just that work ethic that he instilled in us at such a young age. My dad would give his shirt off his back to anybody, he would help anybody off the street, and he just is my hero. He instilled that in us, wanting to be every day a chance to do a better version of yourself than you were yesterday. One of my pastors used to say, find a need and fill it. So, those are the two things that stick in my head throughout my life. You know, working hard, and being a good person, caring, kind, you know, all the things that you're supposed to be, but sometimes people forget those things. Just being raised by a hardworking man who's a deacon at our church, you know, it just gave me a faith foundation.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find your passions. You have to be passionate about what you're doing in order to enjoy what you're doing. I always tell people, especially when they were starting businesses and I was counseling them, I'm like, what is your passion? Because that is what's gonna make you successful, is finding something you love doing and sharing it with the world. So, I think it's important to find your passion.
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