The name of my business is Vector Communications Corporation and it is a 27-year-old  award winning engagement and communications consulting firm. We specialize in sectors  that shape daily life including transportation, economic development, education, health  and human services, parks and greenways. With expertise in engagement, outreach, event  planning, communications strategy, crisis communications, media relations, video  production, and brand awareness, Vector is especially skilled at reaching various  populations – ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table when it comes to shaping their  environments. 

Why I started this business 

I am a journalist by trade. Before co-founding Vector in 1998, I spent nearly two decades as  a television news reporter, anchor, and talk show host. I became a journalist because I have always had a passion for learning and for helping people make informed decisions by  telling important stories and educating them on the issues. Over time though, I found  myself increasingly disheartened by the constant stream of negative news reporting that I  was doing. I wanted to use my communications skills in a more constructive way, to help  ensure that individuals, especially those often overlooked and underserved, had a voice in  shaping the places where they live, work, and play. Too often, people only learn about  major developments in their neighborhoods after the decisions have already been made.  Vector was created to change that narrative. Our work is about inclusive engagement:  giving people the information, tools, and platform they need to be active participants in  their own communities. In order to educate and engage people, you need effective  communications. Thus, we provide both engagement and communications services. 

How being a woman affected my journey 

Not only am I a woman, but a Black woman. I knew from the beginning that being a double  minority meant that we would be given one shot to get it right – and this proved true time  and time again. The stakes were high and the pressure to excel was immense. There was no  room for mediocrity. But rather than shrink from this reality and give in, we embraced it. For  each project, we created something new that would achieve our clients’ goals. Eventually  our work began speaking for itself and people noticed leading to more and more contracts.  After nearly 30 years, this legacy remains strong because more than 85% of our business still comes through referrals. 

My goals and dreams

My goal has always been and continues to be to ensure that Vector remains a vital force,  making a meaningful difference for the clients, communities, and individuals we serve. If  we can continue to play a role in making our region a better place where all can thrive, then  my dream is being fulfilled. 

Advice for women starting their own business 

My advice for women launching their own business is simple: believe in yourself, even  when you don’t have all the answers. In the early days, you might have to “fake it until you  make it” and that’s okay. Confidence, perseverance, and a willingness to learn go a long  way. Also, be prepared for the intensity of the journey. Although I never had a child, I believe  starting a business is a lot like having a baby – it will demand your full attention, energy, and  love. I remember in Vector’s early years, we spent the days chasing new business and the  nights doing the work we had secured. Your friends and family will need to understand that  you have to go “underground” for a while to get your business on its feet. True friends and  loved ones will stand by you even when your focus has to shift. In the end, the growth of  your business and the impact you can make will be worth it.

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Gretchen Curry founded StaffLink, a provider of personnel staffing solutions for healthcare businesses, and non-medical and medical home care for private individuals who need caregiving solutions. As President, she leads her team to successfully find solutions for clients, often providing “out of the box” thinking.

Thirty eight years ago, Gretchen founded her business after losing her job due to a change in leadership. She took a month or two to assess her talents and strengths, recognized that she had a terrific track record in generating business in her field, and decided to launch her own business. And she has never looked back. She believes getting terminated, though rough at the time, was one of the best things to ever happen to her.

Gretchen’s advice to women who want to start their own business is four-fold:
● Make lemonade out of lemons.
● Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you
● Work in the industry first and learn as much as you can on someone else’s dime
● Be connected with and on friendly terms with your competitors

In a woman dominated field, Gretchen doesn’t find barriers because of being a woman, but she sometimes encounters barriers to being a black woman. She has skillfully used in-person meetings to chip away at those barriers.

Gretchen’s goal is to continue leading her company for a while longer. Working pushes her to continually learn. But once she transitions to retirement, she looks forward to more time for her favorite things – time with family, enjoying the arts and entertainment, traveling, and volunteering.

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The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis

• The name of the business is The Novel Neighbor, and its purpose is to be a place “where books, art and people meet” (tagline). The Novel Neighbor is an independent bookstore, collective of independent artisans, and a community meeting space.
• The vision for starting The Novel Neighbor stemmed from a desire to bring people back together and to fill a retail need that I perceived in the community. I wanted to create a space that merged books, local art, and community connection, as I missed the close-knit
  community I experienced growing up. The vision was always ‘more than a bookstore’ as I wanted to curate a space for not only books and original gifts but a place for book-themed kid’s birthday parties/camps, educational classes, epic events and partnering
  with other organizations throughout the region.
• How being a woman affected your journey, such as choice of business niche, or barriers you may have encountered.  This can be a positive or a negative.

My journey to owning a bookstore has been shaped by my passion for connecting with others and creating a welcoming space. I was raised in a small town in KY and as part of a family of 4 girls all of whom are entrepreneurial, a spirit of hospitality is infused in our make-up. I am privileged to have had strong women mentors lighting paths before me both in my 15 years in college administration and now as a business owner. At The Novel Neighbor, I’ve made it my mission to hire and empower women of all different backgrounds. Together, we proudly champion genres and titles that many indie bookstores have historically written off for being too “girly.” (All that is changing now and I’m so proud to be on the forefront of this shift.) Many customers now call the Novel Neighbor their ‘happy place’ and I’m so incredibly grateful people of all identities find it a welcoming and safe space.

Holland’s goals and dreams include:

• Continuing to connect good books, great authors and gather communities together not only through reading but also through in-person events.
• Expanding the work of The Noble Neighbor, our non-profit, to provide free books and author visits to under-resourced schools in the area.
• Consulting for those opening a bookstore or wanting to create a non-profit arm of their bookstore.
• To be a traveling bookstore owner, filling in other stores around the country when other owners need a break or sabbatical.
• Finish writing and publish my book.
• Starting a podcast (isn’t everyone?)
• Remaining a vital part of the St. Louis community, supporting local artists, and providing amazing opportunities & service.
• Advice for other women starting their own business:
  • Focus on what gets your heart beating and what you know and like.
  • Don’t be afraid to start without a detailed business plan. My original business plan was just one page.
  • Be prepared to work hard and be present in your business, especially in the early stages.
  • Prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for staff & customers.
  • Embrace your unique strengths and find others with complementary skills and passions to work alongside you in collaboration.
  • Find ways to offer personalized service and experiences that differentiate you from online competition.
  • Support your local community by hiring locally, paying taxes, and donating to local causes.

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