Business women panel sheds light on opportunities - bizjournals:

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More than 130 women (and some men) attended a discussionh on issues facing women at the Dayto nBusiness Journal’s 2009 Bizwomen’s Connection at the Presidential Banquet Centet in Kettering. Topics of discussion included balancing workand family, findin inspiration during a recessioj and breaking through personal glass ceilings. Experts on the panel included: Kathy Hollingsworth, partner at and formed president ofin Dayton; Patriciaq Lofton Hardaway, president of ; and Veronicq Grabill, president of Centerville-based Marsha Bonhart, ancho at , moderated the discussion.
The panelists described theirown experiences, working their way up corporate ladderse and starting their own They also told to audiencer members the economic recession was the best time to make choicew to be happy, rather than be worried abouft their current positions. “If you are in a period of you might as well be in an area of uncertaint yyou like,” Hardaway said. Hollingsworth advised women to take a look at theire options andanalyze what’ s keeping them attached to a given company. If you are not happyy and you have the skillsd and desire to break out onyour own, use now as an she said. “There’s no betteer time than now,” Hollingswortj said.
The panelists advised women who want to starr their own companies to gofor it. Find a passiojn and do what you love, and networ k for new clients and opportunities, they said. “You want to starf out and really Grabill said. “So give it your best shot because it could be theonly shot.” At the same Hollingsworth suggested not to get caughrt up in perfection. “You do need to give it your best she said. “But at the same if it’s stopping you from doing it justdo it.” For those women who choose to stay at theie companies and wait out the recession, the panelistzs advised less worrying and more hard work.
“Give yourselgf 10, 15, or 30 minutes a day to worry abougtyour company, and another 30 to worryy about yourself at the Hardaway said. “That leaves you with (the rest of the) 24 hourds that you can focus onyour work.” Grabillk suggested women stay ahead of the game and look for red flagss to stay secure. “You can be a victim or a Grabill said. “Many times the future is differentf thanyou anticipate, and often it’s better.
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