Women in Business [Special Advertising Section]

Looking for inspiration in these tough economic times? You found it. Here are 13 women who are defying the odds and redefining integrity professionalism intelligence and success. From doctors to lawyers to brokers to retailers designers and caterers our eighth annual Women in Business demonstrates that not only is it still possible to rise above the fray its happening every day of the week in offices courtrooms shops and boutiques all across the Cape Fear Coast.

Michelle Clark ALHS SFR
Intracoastal Realty Corp.
523 Causeway Drive Wrightsville Beach
(910) 367-9767
www.wrightsvillebeachagent.com

The initials after real estate broker Michelle Clarks name ALHS and SFR tell a story about the dichotomy in the Wilmington housing market and about Clarks unique skills in dealing with it.
Clark a broker at Intracoastal Realtys Wrightsville Beach office took it upon herself to get the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) certification because of the amount of work she was doing at the beach. I had to understand what was important to the luxury home buyer the investment so I could do everything the client needed and do it wisely.
That same desire to offer her clients the best possible service led Clark to take additional classes to become a Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR). She has represented sellers in short sales as well as buyers in short sales and foreclosures. Theres a lot more to the process and I wanted to make sure I was doing my homework on the transactions says Clark.
Clark blends her hard work and attention to detail with an honest heartfelt approach to buying and selling. I put myself in my customers shoes. Would I buy it? What would I sell it for? By all accounts Clarks clients get a smart hardworking partner no matter what the transaction.

Halley White DDS MPH
Halley White Pediatric Dentistry
8115 Market Street Wilmington
(910) 686-1869
www.growinggrins.com

Early exposure and education is key to a lifetime of healthy smiles states Dr. Halley White DDS MPH. We follow the recommendation of both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry when it comes to the first dental visit: A dental home should be established by age one or within six months of the eruption of the first teeth.
It is obvious by the appearance of Dr. Halley Whites office and the attitude of her team that Halley White Pediatric Dentistry is a place to Grow happy Grins. Practicing in Wilmington since 2007 Dr. White lives here with her two young daughters her husband John and their rambunctious yellow lab Gus. The daughter of an Army surgeon Dr. Halley was exposed early on to the benefits of proper healthcare. At age 15 she knew she wanted to open her own pediatric dental practice. After earning a Bachelors Degree from Dartmouth College she went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree Pediatric Certification and a Masters Degree in Public Health from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Whimsical murals cover the walls of Dr. Whites office while state-of-the-art equipment allows the team to perform with optimum efficiency. Children may relax in comfortable chairs while watching movies and parents may accompany their children to help aid in the experience.  Parents are key players in the development of healthy oral habits states hygienist and treatment coordinator Nancy St. Onge. Allowing them to be a part of the process shows the child that this is important and we are all on the same page.
Halley White Pediatric Dentistry specializes in dentistry for infants children adolescents and children with special needs. Located on the 2nd floor of the Medac building in Porters Neck the office is open Monday Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rosalyn George MD
Wilmington Dermatology Center
1721 Allens Lane Suite 102 Wilmington
(910) 256-4350
www.wilmingtondermatologycenter.com

Dr. Rosalyn George of the Wilmington Dermatology Center (1721 Allens Lane Wilmington 910-256-4350) is old-school when it comes to delivering high-quality caring service and providing patient access but completely cutting edge when it comes to treatment education and technology she runs clinical trials out of her office and has trained with some of the top names in cosmetic dermatology.
Though Dr. George opened her sole practitioner office in 2008 in the middle of a recession on the heels of moving to town with two toddlers in tow she has been busy since day one. She and her husband Ed the business manager are moving their office to a new location twice the size in Howe Creek Landing. They are also adding an experienced dermatology physicians assistant to accommodate their patient- and research-related growth while making sure their patients receive the same superior service going forward.  
The Mayfaire-Landfall-Wrightsville Beach area is the perfect location for Dr. George who liked the idea of being in an office convenient to folks on that side of town. Shes a serious beach lover too but with a dermatologists eye to going off hours wearing shirts hats and plenty of high-power sunscreen. Sun plays a big part in everyones life down here. Its important to protect yourself and your skin. Thats for sure she says.
Dr. George runs a full-service practice has a passion for treating acne and loves the cosmetic aspect of the business. Its her varied client base from young to old that keeps her charged up and ready to grow. No matter their age Dr. George values her patients concerns and makes sure each and every one of them is heard.

Lori Rosbrugh
Lea Rhine & Rosbrugh
314 Walnut Street Wilmington
(910) 256-6808 (910) 772-9960
lwr@lrlawfirm.com

Lori Rosbrugh partner in the law firm of Lea Rhine & Rosbrugh practices family law prenuptial  agreements separation agreements alimony custody child support equitable distribution and divorce.
Going through a divorce can be stressful enough without having to worry if you have the right attorney Rosbrugh says. To make this process as painless as possible she stays by her clients side every step of the way. Working with a limited number of cases allows me the opportunity to focus on the details and provide individual and personal attention to my clients. 
Detail is important to Rosbrugh not volume. Building a high-volume practice has never been my goal she says. This is evident in the way she crafts her first appointment which includes a thorough discussion of realistic expectations obtainable goals and the financial and emotional costs of divorce. The first few hours I spend with a client are the most critical Rosbrugh says.
Thirteen years as a divorce attorney has taught Rosbrugh how to be an effective advocate and she is grateful for the opportunity to help her clients successfully transition into a new chapter of their life.
Rosbrughs own life is intimately connected with Wrightsville Beach where she has an office at The Landing acts as Chair of the Wrightsville Beach Planning Board and volunteers at church school and scouts. Married for 18 years Rosbrugh has two sons. Her strong connection with her own family gives her the strength and stability to meet the demands of a job that requires close attention to both legal and emotional details.
Rosbrughs clients are the winners here benefiting from their attorneys strong work and personal ethic.

Claire Mains
Encore! Consignment Boutique & Gallery
5814 Oleander Drive Wilmington
(910) 452-4468
www.encoreconsignmentstore.com

Claire Mains owner of Encore! Consignment Boutique offers her customers a fun and exciting shopping adventure. Her elegant boutique provides women with the opportunity to purchase new or nearly new in style ladies designer and name brand apparel at very affordable prices. Friendly professional and helpful Claire and her assistants excel at assisting customers in putting together ensembles that suit their figure and personal style.
Many of Claires customers have been discovering unique treasures at Encore! since its inception four years ago and new shoppers arrive daily. Her savvy customers appreciate the varied and constantly rotating inventory knowing they are not only adopting a green philosophy but also looking cute for a lot less. On any given day a lovely pair of Tory Burch shoes or the perfect designer dress might be consigned enabling the lucky Encore! shopper to make a fantastic purchase at a fraction of the original cost.
Claire truly enjoys the creative part of growing her business as well as the opportunity to assist women of all ages and personalities in meeting their fashion needs. One look at Claire wearing fabulous jeans a great layered look and fun jewelry and the customer knows theyre in good hands.
The companys tag line Consignment chic six days a week is a promise thats consistently fulfilled to very high standards.

Martie Davy
Landfall Realty
1816 Mews Drive Wilmington
(910) 256-6111
martiedavy@landfallrealty.com

If you live in Landfall theres a good chance that you know Martie Davy. She resides in the renowned development has raised three active daughters there sells homes and property for Landfall Realty and loves to have friends over for casual Saturday night dinners cooked on the grill.
Davy whos been a Realtor for almost 25 years moved to Landfall in 1995 after falling in love with the sense of neighborhood she discovered behind the crisp white wall. I love the feeling of built-in community in this crazy world of ours she says. People feel isolated. Its real easy to break in here make friends from all over the country and feel like youre really at home.
She also loves the beauty Landfall offers. People dont realize that we have these beautiful walking trails throughout the conservation areas including a large natural lake to walk around and of course the Intracoastal Waterway.
If its Landfall you want Davy says you should go to the experts. Davy succeeds in turning over property even as the market slows down.  In three weeks during the summer she put six properties under contract. I think people will look back in five years and say 2010 was a good time to buy.

Jennifer Whaley
Physical Therapy for Women Inc
5919 Oleander Drive Ste. 123 Wilmington
(910) 798-2318
www.ptforwomen.com
ptforwomen@yahoo.com
 
When Jennifer Whaley PT CLT tells women what she does for a career she gets asked a lot of questions about the treatment options her clinic offers for issues such as urinary leakage physical discomfort during sexual relations pain associated with a C-section or range of motion/swelling after a mastectomy.  Whaley has been a Physical Therapist since 1993 and has specialized in womens health since 1996.  As a result of her passion for physical therapy and in response to the specific needs of women in the Wilmington area she opened Physical Therapy for Women in 2001.
Whaley is dedicated to providing thorough and personalized physical therapy care to women in our community.  She addresses the specific physical therapy needs of women throughout their life spans from six year olds with bed-wetting or constipation to teenagers with sports injuries to post menopausal women with osteoporosis. Whaley is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapistproviding care to those experiencing arm/leg swelling after a mastectomy or other surgeries typically related to cancer treatments.   
Whaley and her staff are hands-on in their treatment approach and offer comprehensive education empowering women to develop healthy lifestyles. Whaley also educates the community by speaking to area womens groups and local health care providers.

Jane Marquard
Paysage
Lumina Station 1908 Eastwood Road Wilmington
(910) 256-6050
www.paysage.com

Its all about relationships says Jane Marquard owner of the fabulous Paysage in Lumina Station featuring fine home furnishings interior design services accessories and gifts. The relationship with the customer is where it begins and ends. We can have the most beautiful things in the world but if our people dont make you feel welcome and happy we got nothin. 
Whether a client is in the market for a small cocktail table or plans to furnish their entire home everyone gets a warm welcome. The interior design staff is available to work at the clients home on projects large or small. 
The Paysage style was initially French country but over time Janes stylistic vision moved toward cleaner more organic designs. We do beach you can live with for 12 months of the year says Jane. She and her husband Richard opened their first store in the Cleveland area in 1985 and their second store here in Wilmington in 2005.
Paysage continues to ship all over the country. They meet the challenges of todays demanding market keep the store fresh and their customers happy. Fashion may change with the times but at Paysage relationships remain the bedrock of good business.

Jennifer France
Big Sky Design Inc.
4037 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington
(910) 793-3992
www.bigskydesignonline.com

For 14 years area residents have looked to Big Sky Design Inc. as the resource for interior design. Jennifer France president and principal designer at Big Sky believes that interior spaces should be more than what one expects and be able to enhance a persons day.
France and Leslie Stachowicz vice president and interior designer have made an impact in their field. Their work is visible in many area homes doctors offices schools hospitality venues clubs and other locations.
Thanks to the diversity of our projects and with much gratitude toward our clients weve been able to stay strong during this economy while developing our expertise and resources in different interior design directions France says. She also credits her strong collaboration with Stachowicz who joined the firm in 2001. The two met at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro design program.
Before it became fashionable Big Sky focused on being better stewards of our environment. Were part of the Sustainable Design Collaborative established to provide a holistic solution for people interested in engaging green living on a variety of levels including architecture landscaping interior design and construction France explains.
Since opening its doors Big Sky has been active in the community. This fall the firm is planning a special pre-holiday event showcasing beautiful design fabrics and fashion. All proceeds will benefit two local nonprofit organizations.
Watch our blog so you can mark your calendars and join us France says with a smile.

Jean Dergay
Wilmington Blind Shutter & Closet Company
6617 Market Street Wilmington
(910) 799-8101
www.wilmingtonblinds.com

A customer came in with her husband to review Jean Dergays plans for a redesign of their bedroom closet. Jean and the couple worked together for about 45 minutes. When the meeting was over the husband and wife came around the table gave Jean a hug and left the store just another day at Wilmington Blind Shutter & Closet Company. I love that my customers feel like giving me a hug when they leave instead of just walking quietly out the door laughs Jean.
Jean her husband Tom Sally Middaugh and Alex Heinze are open and friendly with their customers because it drives everyone involved to deliver the highest quality work. You really do care about what happens to their homes. Its special to them so its special to us Jean says.
Its easy for us to please our customers she continues. We carry and display all of the beautiful products of Hunter Douglas. Theyre an innovator in design and beauty. Their customer service is excellent and we agree with their theory: Service is the most important ingredient for pleased and happy customers.
The other side of the business closets also requires a lot of direct contact with the customer as each design is unique. The work requires the staff to really listen to what the customer wants and then deliver it. For shutters blinds and closets making the customer happy is Jean Dergays mission.

Robin Wicks Robinson PC
Attorney at Law
314 Walnut St. #C Wilmington    (910) 763-3374
www.wilmingtondivorcelawyer.net    www.robinrobinsonforjudge.com

Robinson has practiced law in Wilmington since 1986. She is experienced in family juvenile civil and criminal law and as a certified arbitrator and mediator. As a Board Certified Family Law Specialist and Bar Association Family Law Council member she has deep experience in the increasingly complex life-changing issues of family court. She is past 5th District Bar President and State Bar Ethics Committee member is active in church school and community and has been honored by Legal Aid for pro bono services. She was listed the past three years in Super Lawyers a peer-rating of NCs top five percent. Though I enjoy my law practice I feel called to make a broader impact in public service as a district court judge sharing my knowledge experience wisdom integrity and temperament. She is a candidate for the new judgeship for New Hanover and Pender Counties.

Christi Ferretti
Pine Valley Market
3520 S College Road Wilmington
(910) 350-3663    www.pinevalleymarket.com

For Christi Ferretti owner along with Kathy Webb of Pine Valley Market food is a way to make celebrations even better.
I love hearing the stories about how much our food played a part in the holiday celebrations says Ferretti whose team recently catered the incredible Thalian Hall grand opening.
Ferretti is drawn to wedding catering for the same reason. I love being part of a day the couple is going to talk about for the rest of their lives. Its very special to me.
Pine Valley offers fresh local turkeys (cooked and uncooked) as well as complete holiday meals that have become a part of many holiday traditions in the Port City.

Hae H. Newkirk
Commonwealth Commercial Properties
1508 Military Cutoff Road Suite 304
(910) 256-6477    www.ccprealty.com

As a principal/broker with Commonwealth Commercial Properties Hae H. Newkirk brings 20 years of commercial real estate experience to every transaction she facilitates. A graduate of UVA Hae specializes in office leasing sales and property management. During the course of her impressive career she has focused on marketing with Morton G. Thalhimer in Richmond Virginia and market analysis with Chevy Chase Bank in Bethesda Maryland. She has been with Commonwealth Commercial Properties since 1996 and became a partner in 2000. Notable transactions include the sale of Landfall Park East North and South medical offices at Eastwood Commons Summit Center Pharma Office Park and Newbridge Bank Building. When not closing commercial real estate deals she volunteers with the NHRMC Foundation Founders Gala follows college football runs the Loop and enjoys the Cape Fear Coast with her husband Haywood and daughters Elle and Hayley.