Each year, WBENC presents 14 women business owners with the prestigious Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star Award. The WBE Star Award is the nation’s premier recognition for excellence among certified women-owned businesses, honoring female owners for their leadership skills, business success, and ability to serve as an inspiration to others.
Today, meet Sharon Reynolds, President & CEO of DevMar Products, LLC, a janitorial and sanitary supply company with a special emphasis on sustainable products with minimal environmental impact.
DevMar offers cleaning and safety products designed to support commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, corrections, K12 schools, higher education, and more to create healthier work environments for employees, staff, and patients. With more than 200,000 SKUs and a global reach, DevMar handily serves both small and large scale companies.
Sharon is “The Game Changer” because of her bold approach to business and ability to drive innovation in every endeavor. Today, Sharon shares with us her business values, how she has overcome challenges, and her advice for new entrepreneurs.
Advice from the Stars
What values have led to and continue to support your business acumen? Share your business philosophy and its influence on your success.
Values that lead and support our business acumen are centered on integrity, hard work, compassion and a bold, fearless approach to business. My philosophy is to never give up, no matter how difficult the challenge. Success worth having is worth the effort.
What are the bigger challenges and barriers you’ve faced as a business owner? How have you overcome them?
The bigger challenges and barriers I have faced as a business owner is access to capital as the company continues to grow and scale. The creative way we continue to overcome the challenges is by developing product innovations that set us apart from our competitors. For example, our biohazard spill kit is patent-pending that destroys pathogens in hospitality and healthcare environments, unlike any other product of its kind.
What is your proudest moment in business?
My proudest moment in business was when I was recognized by my peers while being presented the Business of the Year award by the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. The second proudest moment is when my company presented a scholarship to a deserving at-risk high school student to help further her education.
What advice do you have for a new entrepreneur?
I always tell newcomer entrepreneurs to be prepared to work long hours, including weekend and holidays. Never give up on your passion and your dream to succeed, and to never take no for an answer…there is always a “yes” behind that “no,” you simply have to dig a little deeper.
What do you view as benefits of being part of the WBENC network?
The benefits as a WBENC-Certified WBE are endless. I can attribute my success to WBENC in landing an account with one of the largest hospitality groups in the world. Networking with other women business owners has proved to be invaluable. Matchmaking sessions have booted DevMar’s exposure across the country!
This post originally appeared on the WBENC blog. Read it and more HERE!
