Coshocton BPW honors businesses of the year
COSHOCTON – Coshocton Business and Professional Women (BPW) met Oct. 20, at Grace United Methodist Church to surprise the 2014 Woman of the Year – Emily McBurney, and to honor Mary Mason, owner of Agents Realty and Auction Service and Linnet Lowe, owner of Linnet’s Flowers on the Square as Business of the Year.
President Carey McMasters read write-ups on both businesses, and presented framed certificates and a BPW pin to Mary Mason’s daughter Sheri Fortune since Mason was on vacation, and also to Linnet Lowe.
Agents Realty and Auction Services: Mary Mason has been a friend of BPW and it is icing on the cake that she is also a BPW member!
Mary Mason has handled the Coshocton BPW Cake Auction since its inception and has been our secret weapon in making it successful each year. She has taken the BPW Individual Development (ID) Course and is now a facilitator for the classes.
She, like many women business owners, has evolved into the woman she is today. As a single mother she needed to increase her earning capacity. She did the usual things women do starting out, waitress, hotel check-in clerk, a Sears sales person, JC Penney catalog facilitator, and ran a janitorial business for 12 years. She discovered two important facts – one, she needed more education to increase her earning power, and two, working for someone else was not what she wanted to do for the rest of her life so, she attended Ohio State University, got her Real Estate License in 1989 and founded Agents Realty the same year, got her Brokers License in 1995 and her Auctioneer’s License in 1997 plus she also founded Agents Realty & Auction Service in 1997.
Mary Mason is a very positive person. Her determination and belief in herself has made her a successful entrepreneur. She also believes in giving back to her community. She has participated in various programs such as Coshocton County Youth, and also adult work programs like Community Emergency React Team, President for Coshocton Community Housing for the Disabled, and President of the American Cancer Society to raise funds for Hospice. She recently served on the committee which recognized 50 years of education at River View High School, culminating in the erection of the striking Black Bear Monument. The statue represents the past, present and future achievements of River View High School.
When she was asked what she feels has made her business a success, this is her answer, “I am a highly skilled and experienced Realtor with exceptional training and a “can do” attitude toward any challenge.” She feels her success comes from the genuine love of real estate/auctioneering and her commitment to providing the finest service on behalf of her clients. She says, “If you work hard, love your work, help others, then success is not just possible, but probable”.
Lowe, owner of Linnet’s Flowers on the Square had this to say about her business:
“I have been very lucky to have a very supportive and understanding family. You do have to give up some of your personal time and so far my husband, my daughter, and my extended family have understood as to the time it takes away from them. I began working in the floral industry the summer of 1976 when my Uncle Larry Clary hired me as his summer help. I was studying Art Education at Ohio State University and that summer fell in love with my new found profession. I worked at Clary’s for 10 years with my Uncle and ran the business for another 10 years after he had passed away. After 20 years of working there my husband Gary and I felt it was time to take on my own business venture. Although it was a little scary I had my accountant (Gary) by my side to start the ball rolling. It has now been 18 years on the square and a second location in Newark for three years.
My husband has been so very important in helping me with my business from the beginning not only from the finance perspective but as my number one supporter of “me.” My Uncle Larry also taught me that being fair and honest to everyone is very important. He never took life so seriously that you can’t do your job without a smile on your face as well as in your heart. I miss him every day! What a great guy!
Be very passionate about your business and do it with love. And don’t forget to have a realistic business plan at the outset. You also have to realize that the person that cares the most about your business is YOU! Don’t be afraid of the hard work no matter what it takes.
They are great and I hope I have not burdened them too much. I love them all!”
Membership in BPW is open to men and women, employed and unemployed. BPW’s mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. BPW is women helping women. During the month of October dues are reduced to $27.50 for new members. For information, contact Kim Gress, Membership Chair at 502-2154 or at coshoctonbpw@gmail.com.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
