A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CHAMPIONING OUR LOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS. PHOTOGRAPY BY JESSICA WHITLEY.

Progressive Group

Co-Owner

300 Mulberry St., Macon

800-982-8315

Teresa.Hurt@progressivecompanies.com

progressivecompanies.com

What is your mission, and how has it shifted with covid-19?

Our company’s goal is to cultivate long-term customers by delivering life-changing, innovative solutions. Our approach values customer satisfaction through our expert and dedicated personnel. We were very fortunate due to the majority of our 350-plus employees being remote workers. We are strategically positioned to service our customers and provide additional service support to customers that others were not prepared to handle.

What is a challenging aspect of being a woman in business?

Technology companies of the past were mostly male driven. Integrating into and running a company as a female in a male-dominated field has been challenging.

You might be surprised that: Progressive Group has received The Global Vendor of the Year Award from a Fortune 500 Global Healthcare & Technology Company in 2018 and 2020.

Looking back, I wish I had realized: That “NO” actually means “Next Opportunity.”

How can women better support each other?

Join local female entrepreneurial communities and offer support to those beginning their business journey.

How can men better support women business leaders?

By treating women as equals and giving women the same opportunities in the business world.

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?

They must have a passion for the type of business they want to start. Then surround themselves with talented, passionate individuals in order to be successful.

How do you define success?

Figuring out how to get paid for what you love to do.

What are you most excited about right now in our community?

Our community emerging from the pandemic, and the revitalization in our downtown area.

What is the most gratifying part of your job?

Watching the company grow, develop and change into the company we are today.

I admire women who: Believe in themselves, put themselves out there and go after their dreams.

What was the best business advice you ever received?

To surround yourself with talented people.

I hope more women will: Take advantage of business opportunities that are available to us today that were not as readily available in the past.