2010-2011 Chair, Women Business Owners of North Florida

Business Advisory Council^SM Investor since 2005

“The JWBC focuses on the specific educational needs of businesswomen.”

After rewarding careers as a nurse in the U.S. Navy (retiring as a Commander) and the Mayo Foundation, Kathee found herself being a caregiver in a much different capacity - taking care of her father from 2000 miles away.  This is what motivated her to welcome “big change” and open the first of two Comfort Keepers® franchise locations here in Jacksonville.

Focused on positioning her company for significant growth within 10 years, Kathee leveraged the programs and expertise of many different professionals as a client of the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center (JWBC). She has personally participated in every JWBC mentoring program, including being accepted in and graduating from the one-year Athena PowerLink™ mentoring program.

While growing her company to over 70 employees, Kathee expanded her professional networks and was recently elected to chair the Women Business Owners of North Florida (WBO), one of the original sponsors of JWBC’s Business Advisory Council^SM  (BAC) mentoring program.  Because both organizations support women business ownership, she sees WBO’s involvement as a partnership.

“I think the WBO tagline says it all: “Encouraging leadership, community, success.”  Through our partnership with the JWBC, our more seasoned business owners may tell new WBO members about the programs the JWBC offers to help them grow their business,” Kathee said.

She thinks of the JWBC as the educational partner all women entrepreneurs need at any stage of their business. “I’ve been a client of the JWBC and have thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from many of their programs,” Kathee said.  “When I talk to a WBO member who is having challenges, I suggest they consider a JWBC mentoring program.  Business owners are good at their profession, but most of us have never had formal training on running a business.  The JWBC focuses on the specific educational needs of businesswomen.”

The JWBC/WBO partnership pays off in other ways. WBO members are granted a $100 discount if they join any BAC group. WBO also awards a $150 scholarship each month to a one of its members, which can be applied to any JWBC program or service.