Holly Joelle Edmondson

I attribute much of my success to my strong public-speaking abilities and the influence of my mother, who taught speech and communication at my High School and the Butler County Community College. She helped me develop confidence in expressing myself clearly and effectively, which became a valuable skill throughout my personal and professional journey. My father was a World Champion PRCA Steer Wrestler, recently inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was able to visit the White House after his Championship win, and meet and perform for Ronald Reagan. He has also “never met a stranger,” and I was lucky enough to inherit the “gift of gab,” a quality that has allowed me to connect with people, build relationships, and communicate with impact, from both my Mom and Dad.

The best business advice I’ve ever received was that people do business with people, not companies. Products, pricing, and services matter, but relationships, trust, and showing up consistently are what people remember. I’ve also learned that staying true to who I am and building genuine connections has taken me further than trying to fit into someone else’s mold of success. Looking back, the most rewarding part hasn’t been titles, numbers, or sales—it’s the relationships I’ve built along the way. The friendships, the trust, and knowing I’ve been able to truly help people and take care of their needs has been far more fulfilling than anything else.

I would encourage young women entering the industry to support one another and intentionally build strong networks with other women in business. Creating meaningful connections, sharing opportunities, and uplifting fellow women can make a significant difference in both personal and professional growth. Success is even more powerful when women collaborate, mentor one another, and help open doors for the next generation of leaders. I will never regret helping another woman achieve her dreams and goals. As my Dad says, “you’re only as successful as those you surround yourself with.” That is a quote I’ve taken to heart.

One of the biggest challenges in the field today is that businesses often struggle with people management, organizational stability, and long-term growth, while larger, more established companies tend to offer greater opportunities, resources, and career advancement. At the same time, there are significant opportunities emerging through social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, which are becoming powerful tools for visibility, branding, and audience engagement beyond LinkedIn. Additionally, government contracting and CMMC compliance continue to shape operational priorities, requiring companies to stay proactive in meeting cybersecurity and regulatory standards while positioning themselves for growth in highly regulated industries.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are supporting other women, building visibility and credibility through meaningful work, and engaging with people in an authentic and genuine way. I believe in creating opportunities that empower others, fostering trust through consistency and integrity, and using public engagement as a way to build real connections and make a positive impact.