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

LAURA BOTTS, DIRECTOR OF OFFICE ADMINISTRATION; STAFFORD GUDENRATH, DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT; ANITA KAPOOR, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS; EMILY ALLMOND, LANIER EDUCATION COORDINATOR. NOT PICTURED: LATANYA LESTER, NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COORDINATOR

Historic Macon Foundation
950 Third Street, Macon
478-742-5084
info@historicmacon.org
historicmacon.org

What is the mission of your business?
Historic Macon’s mission is to revitalize communities by preserving architecture and sharing history. As such, our work focuses on the connections among preservation, housing and neighborhood revitalization.

What lessons did you learn because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
We’ve learned how to be flexible with a hybrid workforce and scaled-down events. Our team has always used a combination of office work and field work, so shifting to more remote work during COVID was less of a change for us than it was for others. Visitors to our Flea Markets have embraced signing up in advance for shopping slots, and we’ve decided to continue with that model for now.

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?
Talk to other female business owners! One of the best things about Macon is how supportive people can be. We have found that people are willing to share what they have learned and what resources are out there that can be useful.

How do you define success?
HMF is known for seeing historic preservation as a means, not an end in itself – a means for neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, community stabilization and economic development. That means we are successful every time we rehabilitate a building or help others do so.

What are you most excited about right now in our community?
A lot of people have worked very hard to make Macon the vibrant community it has become over the last decade plus. It is so exciting to watch the result of that work in action every single day. There is so much to do and see, and we are excited to watch our town continue to grow and thrive.

Why is Central Georgia a good place to do business?
Location, location, location! Central Georgia provides ready access to talented individuals, engaged students, good transportation to other parts of the state, and committed leaders and residents who want to see this area thrive.

You might be surprised to that:
• Since 1964, we have bought, rehabilitated and sold more than 140 historic buildings in Macon. We have kept over 6,800 tons of construction and demolition debris out of the landfill.
• Within Georgia, our historic tax credit activity is second only to Savannah. Yes, we have tackled significantly more projects than Atlanta!
• We have a tool library where you can borrow various hand and power tools for free.

What is the most gratifying part of your job?
We love to see satisfaction, whether our members are volunteering at Rose Hill Cemetery, students are engaged in summer camp activities or a new homeowner closes on an HMF house. We are plugged into Macon in a number of ways that make our community better.

What has been the most challenging part of being a woman in business?
Sadly, it can still be a challenge to be taken seriously and seen as someone competent in her field.

We admire women who: take charge, exude confidence and get the job done. The women we work with in construction, finance, law and other non-traditional roles for women are our heroes!

What was the best business advice you ever received?
“Never bring up a problem without proposing a solution.” You don’t have to have the perfect answer, but you should be prepared to discuss possibilities instead of just throwing up your hands.

We hope more women will: get involved in community leadership.

How can women better support each other?
Take another woman out for coffee or lunch. Listen, talk and serve as a mentor.

How can men better support women business leaders?
Don’t second guess things we do! We’re extremely capable in our roles.

In five years: we hope to have expanded our work into other Macon neighborhoods. Focusing on neighborhood development instead of just single buildings increases our impact and builds community.