Judy L. Loy and Jessica Dolan Selected to Participate in Year-Long Advisory Services Program Sponsored by PNC Bank and Babst Calland
These two woman-owned businesses in Centre and Clearfield counties have been selected to participate in a year-long program designed to increase growth and profitability through the national ATHENAPowerLink® (APL) program.
APL pairs women business owners with a customized board of advisors who provide financial advice, business best practices, networking and the services and technical assistance necessary to help them reach their business goals.
Amy Marshall, attorney at Babst Calland and a member of the APL Centre/Clearfield Governing Body, made the announcement during the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Lunch on November 19 at the State College Municipal Building. The luncheon was held as part of Pennsylvania State University's Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration.
“Seton Hill University E-Magnify women's business center is pleased to partner with PNC Bank and Babst Calland and other dynamic leaders interested in advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Centre and Clearfield Counties,” said Jayne Huston, E-Magnify Director. “We recognize the influence and potential of women-owned businesses in this area and believe the ATHENAPowerLink program provides a compliment to existing support for women owned companies to fuel their business growth even more."
About the Businesses:
Nestlerode & Loy, Inc. is an investment advisory firm located in Central Pennsylvania helping individuals, small businesses and non-profits with their financial goals since 1937. Judy Loy, CEO and owner of the firm, has been with the firm since 1992 and is excited for the opportunities and expertise that the APL Panel will provide her and her firm.
Jessica Dolan, Bringer of Order for Room to Breathe Home Organizing, Staging & Redesign and Creator of the Entrepreneurial Women's Expo (EWE) is passionate about simplifying life to ensure happy, successful living; ensuring quick, top dollar sales through home staging; creating casually comfortable and beautiful homes for her clients. Jessica supports the goals of all women entrepreneurs by hosting an annual expo and leading several women in business groups.
About ATHENAPowerLink:
The ATHENAPowerLink program has been successfully implemented in more than 30 cities across the United States, resulting in significant economic impact for participating woman business owners. APL is a trademarked program of ATHENA International and is locally administered by Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify. PNC Bank and the law firm of Babst Calland sponsored the local program license.
According to ATHENA International, participants achieve an average 88% increase in sales, a 37% increase in business income, and 56% increase in personal income after one year with the program.
For the program’s first year, the two woman-owned business were selected based on need and potential for growth. E-Magnify, working together with the local Governing Body, will convene a team of experts in such fields as banking, human resources, entrepreneurship, sales,
public accounting, law and others to advise the women business owners on how they can access capital, implement best practices and reach their operational and strategic goals.
PNC has a longstanding tradition of offering financial resources to women-owned businesses. Currently, more than 1,100 PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates in 19 states and the District of Columbia are actively engaged in supporting the achievement of female financial decision-makers.
Locally, individuals serving on the ATHENAPowerLink Governing Body include: Chad Feather, PNC Wealth Management; Amy Marshall, the law firm of Babst Calland; Heather Fennessey, Penn State Small Business Development Center; Sue Greene, Penn State Corporate Learning; Tere Rill, The Women’s Journal; John Vidmar, Ben Franklin; Mary Kay Williams, Mind Shift Consulting and Georgia Abby, Leadership Centre County.
