WiBN: Tell us about your
business/organization
Manicka: My business is Thomas Community Consulting, LLC which is a company created to help small businesses focus less on non-productive tasks and more on the income-generating areas of their business. Through successfully using online and offline marketing strategies, we help businesses develop real solutions to business challenges, so that they can achieve the level of success they desire. I started of working with schools and nonprofits, on planning events and conducting professional development training. I still love to do that, but I may start a different business model for that work.
Target audiences are small business owners in service professions (event planners, salon owner, barbers, photographers, videographers, caters, t shirt companies, interior designers, professional organizers, and membership organizations). Any company that is providing a service to the public and looking for ways to reach more customers and generate more money, can become a potential client.
We provide consultation and referrals to our database of web designers, copywriters, product developers and social media experts. Services that I’m hoping to add in 2013 are small business coaching, seminars, webinars, teleseminars and events. There is so much information online for business owners to take advantage of, what I do, is all of the front end research about your business, your market and potential areas for growth, so that business owner have a very straightforward and simple way to take steps.
WiBN: -What or who has
been your greatest influence in business and why?
Manicka: The thing
(“the what”) that has been the greatest influence in my business is living in
west Dayton, driving around my neighborhood and being completely devastated by
the state of my community. With struggling small business, vacant houses and
signs of desperation all around, it is my mission to build a successful company
that can invest back into the west Dayton community.
WiBN: What would you say is your greatest
professional accomplishment to date?
Manicka: My
greatest professional accomplishments are many. My first, in regard to my
consulting company would be when I secured my first five figure contract. My
second accomplishment was becoming an Adjunct Faculty member at Sinclair
Community College in the Social Work department. I would also have to say
writing for the Dayton Weekly News and being able to interview author Terry
McMillian and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine, Susan Taylor. That
was a dream come true!
WiBN: What’s the best
advice you have received as a business/professional woman that you wish to pass
on to our readers?
Manicka: I would definitely have to say
think differently and change your mindset. The more I began to study successful
people and read books that they had written, the more I realized that I
couldn’t think small and expect to experience huge growth. Along with thinking
big, you have to take big actions to get to the next level of success. You have
to be willing to do things that the average person is afraid to do. Don’t be
afraid to step out on faith and take huge action to grow your business. I
second guess myself just as much as the next person, but the more I surround myself
with people who think this same way, the more uplifted and empowered I feel to
accomplish my goals.
WiBN: What do you do for
fun/relaxation?
Manicka: I roller
skate every Sunday at Hoover Skating Rink. It is so fun and it’s great
exercise. I also love creating craft projects around the house for my room or
for my home office.
WiBN: What is number one business/professional
goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
Manicka: I would love to grow my consulting
business to the close six figure mark, so that I can give back to the community
in a major way.
WiBN: What are some personal skills that have
helped you become who you are today?
Manicka: I’m definitely a go-getter, I
don’t take no for an answer and I always try to find a way to get things done
when a challenge arises. My faith has definitely kept me grounded and has
played a huge role in being a servant to my community. I take action on things
that I’m passionate about and have a genuine interest in helping people.
WiBN: In your opinion,
how can, or how does, networking benefit women in business?
Manicka: There is a
quote by Jim Rohn that says, “You are the
average of the five people
you spend the most time with,” and I truly believe this. Being able to network
with successful women keeps me accountable in my own business and gives me
mentors to share my successes with as well as my challenges.
WiBN: How did you hear
about Women in Business Networking (WiBN) and what inspired you to join?
Manicka: I first heard about WiBN in 2010 when reading
the newspaper. What inspired me to join is, the moment I became really serious
about growing my consulting company in 2012. I knew that I needed to network
with women who could keep me motivated and provide learning and networking opportunities
for me as I grew.
WiBN: Is there anything
else you’d like to share with our readers?
Manicka: Just that, I’m glad to be a part
of such an inspiring groupof women and hope to gain new
insights as well as share knowledge that I have as a young professional.
WiBN: In addition to your website, how else can our readers
connect with you online?
Manicka: Facebook:www.facebook.com/thomascommunityconsulting
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/manickathomas
Manicka Thomas
Thomas Community
Consulting, LLC
3909 Flynn St./Dayton,
OH/45416
937.430.548
manickalynn@gmail.com
www.thomascommunityconsulting.com
Interview #2
Leah Hawthorn
ABI, advanced business image LLC
WiBN: You have been a member of Women in Business
Networking over a year now. Please share with our readers what you have gained
most from your membership.
Leah: As a member of WiBN and as
a founding Board Member, the women involved with this wonderful group have
given me business, referrals, but most importantly, new friendships. Some of my proudest and most memorable
moments in my adult life have been associated with WiBN and the women that are
involved with WiBN.
WiBN:
What qualities do you respect and value in
people? Why are these qualities important to you??
Leah: Trust, integrity and
sincerity. I don’t believe you can truly
work with or befriend anyone without these qualities. These qualities exist within the WiBN
members. It is a safe place to be, and
that is very important.
WiBN: What are a few resources you would
recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader??
Leah: WiBN offers many tools to
build Leadership skills over any organization I have found. And if they don’t offer it, they will help
you find it. Sinclair Communtiy
College’s Workforce Development Programs also offer some great workshops that
are helpful and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, CWB, Center for Women
in Business offers great information online as well and workshops. The Protocol School of Washington is also an
incredible resourse, which can be found, PSOW.com.
WiBN: What
do you like to ask other women in business when you get the chance??
Leah: How did you become
successful and how do you balance life with work. What is your vision for the future.
WiBN: What
are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Leah: Joining WiBN! Attending an incredible Speakers Training
Camp in Washington DC this June, 2013 and reaching and networking outside the
box. I also am on the Board of Trustees
for RMHC Dayton, which has kept me busy in the community as well. Giving back is important for many
reasons. One: It’s the right thing to
do. Two:
You meet so many people in the process.
WiBN: Many
people wish they could do something else, but are powerless to make a change.
What advice can you offer them?
Leah: Talk to
other women in business that you trust.
Change is never easy. In order to grow, we must step out of our comfort zone and sometimes it is painful, but rewarding in the end. You may be disappointed if you fail, but you
are doomed if you don’t try --- Beveryly Sills
WiBN: What
book, movie or video have you seen/read recently you would recommend? Why?
Leah: Don’t laugh – The Book, KISS, BOW, OR SHAKE HANDS, by Terri
Morrison and Wayne A Conaway. I truly believe that the more
culturally aware we are, the better we become as human beings and as business
women. America is a melting pot with
many, many different cultures.
Understanding and learning to deal with other cultures has helped me
grow in so many ways.
WiBN: If
you could learn any skill, what would it be?
Leah: I would love to take the
time to learn how to upscale my Power Point Presentations and how to utilize my
outlook better. Painting is unrelated to
my business, but I would love to take the time to learn to create art in other
mediums than charcoal and pastel.
Leah
Hawthorn
leahhawthorn@abiprotocol.com
www.apbprotocol.com
Interview #3
Corporate Members
Clark Schaefer Hackett
Brittany Lawrence, Robin Dennis, Stephanie Pyles, Christine Vaughan
WiBN: Share with us what
services Clark Schaefer Hackett offer?
Clark Schaefer Hackett: Clark Schaefer Hackett is a right size regional public accounting
firm, offering a wide range of professional services such as audit and
assurance, tax compliance and consulting, bookkeeping, payroll, and qualified plan
consulting.
WiBN:
How long has the Clark
Schaefer Hackett been located in Dayton? Where are the Clark Schaefer Hackett offices
located?
Clark Schaefer Hackett: We have had
a presence in the Dayton marketplace since the early nineties. Our Firm has been in business since 1938, and
we currently have over 300 professionals located in Cincinnati, Cleveland,
Columbus, Miami Valley, Springfield, and Toledo.
WiBN: Share with our readers the philanthropic
works that Clark Schaefer Hackett actively supports.
Clark Schaefer Hackett:Many of our
shareholders and staff sit on various charitable boards throughout our
respective communities. In addition, CSH
supports many area charities via special programs such as Jeans Day for Charity
and Honor Flight. In 2013 we are proud
to be celebrating our 75 year anniversary by giving back and sending 75
veterans to Washington. Check out our
website at www.cshco.com for more details!
WiBN:Do you think it is important as women leaders
that collaborative alliances are developed in our community with other
corporations? If so, how are those
collaborative alliances being developed with Clark Schaefer Hackett?
Clark Schaefer Hackett: Absolutely,
it is important to develop alliances and relationships with others within the
community. We are doing that at CSH via
various networking events, mixers with local professionals, as well as
attendance at area trade and industry groups.
WiBN: Now that Clark Schaefer Hackett is a corporate
member of Women in Business Networking. How do you see that relationship as a
benefit to your firm?
Clark Schaefer Hackett: We see WiBN
as a partner for CSH, by assisting us with the development of our young women
leaders. We think the mission of WiBN in
terms of education, recognition, and resources, fits very well with our core
values.
WiBN: The corporate members of WiBN are Stephanie
Pyles, Robin Dennis, Christine Vaughn and Brittany Lawrence. As leaders, what do you think are the key
skills each of you hold as a common thread to serve in the capacity you do at Clark
Schaefer Hackett?
Clark Schaefer Hackett: We are
passionate about great client service.
We work hard for our clients and look to not only be their tax and
accounting advisor, but also their overall business advisor.
Brittany Lawrence, tax manager
937-226-0070
balawrence@cshco.com