Pacer Center hosts fourth annual Women in Business Symposium at USCA

The Pacer Center held the highly anticipated Fourth Annual Women in Business panel discussion, an event that has become a cornerstone for fostering dialogue, inspiration, and mentorship among aspiring businesswomen.

The discussion was held on Friday, Oct 25, in the Business and Education Building and moderated by Dr. Sanela Porca, director of the Pacer Center.

Panelist included four trailblazing local women with decades of business acumen: Teddy Milner, Aiken’s first female Mayor, Gail Diggs and Kay Brohl, members of Aiken City Council, and Lessie Price, the first woman elected to a city-wide council seat in Aiken.

Each of these accomplished women brought unique perspectives, offering a blend of practical advice, personal experiences, and strategies for overcoming the obstacles women may face in business.

Dr. Porca opened with a nod to Aiken's sister city, Orvieto, Italy, a historic town with economic challenges and opportunities parallel to those faced by Aiken. Orvieto’s Mayor, Roberta Tardani, highlighted shared areas for potential growth, community development, and cultural exchange, emphasizing how both cities can learn from each other's approaches to similar issues.

Teddy Milner: Lessons from Aiken’s First Female Mayor

Milner, current mayor of Aiken and a long-standing downtown business owner, brought her extensive experience as an entrepreneur and public servant to the discussion. She noted Aiken’s median age of 46 and reflected on Aiken’s historic charm, once a vacation spot for notable families like the Vanderbilts, Goodyears, and Whitneys. As a business owner of more than 20 years, Milner emphasized the appeal of Aiken as a retirement destination due to its affordable cost of living. Her advice to local entrepreneurs? “Shadow me for a day at my restaurant to see what it really takes,” she offered. Her story underscored the importance of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of local dynamics.

Gail Diggs: Building a Unique Business with Purpose

Diggs, owner of a local party store, stressed the importance of thorough market research and selecting a niche business. Her entrepreneurial philosophy is rooted in giving back to the community, inspiring others to pursue meaningful ventures. She advised aspiring women entrepreneurs to prepare financially, sharing, “There’ll be times you won’t pay yourself due to overhead and other expenses.” For Diggs, success is about resilience and commitment, reminding attendees that “you can do whatever you want to do.” She also encouraged the community to stay informed and involved in local government by attending city council meetings, highlighting the role of civic engagement in business.

Kay Brohl: A Global Perspective on Entrepreneurship

With a career that spans multiple continents, Brohl contributed an international viewpoint to the panel, leveraging her experience in boutique hotel management in London and her work in Heidelberg, Germany. She currently serves as a GEM (Guide, Educate, Mentor) participant at Aiken High School, sharing her expertise with young women in the community. Brohl’s advice to entrepreneurs included confidence, resilience, and targeted marketing, as well as the critical role of mentorship. She encouraged aspiring businesswomen to “start with people you know and are comfortable with,” and emphasized that failure and success are both fleeting. Her international experiences underscored the value of a global perspective, urging women to seize any opportunity to live or work abroad.

Lessie Price: The Power of Networking and Financial Savvy

Price, a business strategist and advocate for mentorship, highlighted the importance of understanding the reasons why many businesses fail within the first two years. “Get advice from someone who’s been successful in business and someone who has failed,” she advised. Her guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs centered on meticulous planning, capital acquisition, and reputation-building. She pointed out that mentorship is more accessible than ever, with many women in leadership roles eager to give back. She encouraged women to establish strong networks and actively pursue their goals, concluding, “If you don’t like something, do something about it; you can make changes.”

The panel concluded with a lively Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to seek personalized advice from these influential women. Their combined insights painted a vivid picture of entrepreneurship that balanced vision with practicality, underscoring the resilience, determination, and sense of community that drives business success.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.