Velma McMillan, CEO/Owner of EON Innovations LLC and franchise owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar
Velma McMillan is the CEO and Owner of EON Innovations LLC, which operates six Blo Blow Dry Bar franchise locations, including Rockwall, Las Colinas, Flower Mound, Allen, and McAllen, Texas. With a passion for leadership and business development, Velma has built a growing multi-location beauty company focused on exceptional client experiences, strong team culture, and professional growth within the beauty industry.
When it comes to being a female business owner, she says, “Like many entrepreneurs, my journey has included both challenges and incredible rewards. One of the biggest challenges in growing a multi-location business is building strong teams and maintaining consistency while continuing to expand. At the same time, the most rewarding part has been watching team members grow into leadership roles and seeing the confidence our services bring to clients every day. If I could give advice to my younger self—or to women who are starting their own business—it would be to trust your vision, stay resilient, and build strong systems early. Entrepreneurship requires hard work, discipline, and the willingness to learn as you go, but creating opportunities for others and building something meaningful makes it all worthwhile.”
Corey Nichols, Founder/CEO, Southwest Pools
Corey Nichols is the founder, CEO, and co-owner of Southwest Pools, a Dallas–Fort Worth company specializing in custom pool construction, pool renovations, and outdoor living spaces. As the leader of a 100% woman-owned company, Corey is passionate about creating backyard environments that reflect each homeowner’s vision while delivering a positive and collaborative building experience. Her approach focuses on listening first, educating clients throughout the process, and working closely with homeowners to design spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Southwest Pools serves the entire DFW metroplex and has grown primarily through referrals and word of mouth, something Corey considers one of the greatest compliments in business. After six years in business, the company continues to be 95% referral-based, allowing them to work with homeowners across the entire metroplex to transform outdoor spaces into places where families can gather, relax, and make lasting memories.
Working in a traditionally male-dominated industry has presented its share of challenges, but it has also shaped Corey’s approach to leadership and customer relationships. Early in her career, she noticed that many homeowners—especially women—often felt unheard during the construction process. That experience motivated her to build a company culture centered on respect, communication, and collaboration. One of the most rewarding parts of her journey has been the strong support she has received from other women business owners, both within construction and throughout the community. Their encouragement and willingness to champion one another has reinforced Corey’s belief that women belong in every area of business. Today, she remains committed to continuing that spirit of support while helping homeowners create backyard transformations that bring people together across the DFW metroplex.
Lucie Hasek Brott, Founder/Owner, Creative Elements
Lucie Hasek Brott came to the U.S. in 1980 from the Czech Republic when she was 15 years old. Her dad was a European wood craftsman, building custom homes and yachts, and she worked with him after school and on the weekends.
She says, “The work was not easy, but I learned that through diligence and precision, one could turn what was once a vision into a beautiful product. I went on to graduate with a business degree, worked in the insurance industry, raised three children, and helped my ex-husband with several side businesses, as well as construction projects. After our move to Texas in 2001, the kids were all in school, and I wanted to get back into the workforce. I knew I wanted to work with people and my hands. I started by painting the interior of homes, which quickly developed into much more. The clients were interested in flooring, plumbing, electrical, and cabinetry, and soon Creative Elements was born. I loved creating spaces for my clients that they had dreamed of, saved their hard-earned dollars for, and thought they could never have. Being able to walk into a space and see beyond the walls and the existing structures, envisioning the possibilities of the current space is something I’m very passionate about. The structural aspect of remodeling is probably my favorite part.”
She adds, “Being a woman in remodeling/contracting presents its obvious challenge: being a woman in a man’s world. This means you must become just as knowledgeable as a male, if not more, and have the design potential on your side. The one thing that helps is knowing the functionality of spaces like kitchens and baths and having the expertise to make it better. I would not necessarily say that I was mentored by a female business owner, however, I followed my grandmother’s and mother’s grit and hard work ethic. Get up early, get the job done, and while you’re at it, do it well.”
Kris Wise, Broker Associate for Wise Advantage Group Powered by PLACE with Keller Williams
What started as a passion for home renovation led Kris Wise into being a premiere real estate advisor in the Flower Mound area. Kris changed careers from accounting to real estate in 2002, and she continues to use her financial knowledge to analyze deals for the best terms possible. Kris’s deep roots in the community helps her to understand the local impact of real estate, and the Wise Advantage Group’s unique marketing strategies helps listings sell faster at a higher price. Whether it's finding a home, finding the best loan, or helping you get the most out of selling your home, Kris is there to guide you.
Kris says, “The biggest challenge I face is the real estate market in general. Regardless of whether it’s a buyer or a seller’s market, I have to help my clients achieve success. It’s also a challenge working in a saturated market where over 70 percent of realtors have not even sold a house in the last year! With so many options, it’s hard for clients to find a realtor who is an expert. Oftentimes, clients have to navigate realtors with ego, which can get in the way of clients finding the right home or the right buyer for their home.
“When I first joined, my biggest reward was working for myself and being in charge of the success of my business. Even though I got into real estate on a whim due to my love of homes, seeing how it’s changed my whole family’s life has been so gratifying. I'm proud to see my son, CJ, join me in the business. Seeing him forge his own way has been inspiring. Early in my career, I consulted with other women realtors and received mentorships. Those collaborations helped me be more successful as I started out. Now I give that knowledge back through similar mentorships, helping other women succeed in the industry.”
Araceli “Sally” Quezada, Co-Owner, Platinum Auto Glass
Araceli “Sally” Quezada is the co-owner of Platinum Auto Glass, a family-owned company serving the DFW Metroplex. Alongside her husband, Fred Quezada, Sally leads the company’s marketing, partnerships, and community engagement, helping grow the business while building meaningful relationships throughout North Texas. She believes true success is measured not only in business growth, but in the positive impact we leave on others.
She says, “Like many women in business, my journey has come with both challenges and incredibly meaningful rewards. Balancing entrepreneurship, family life, and community commitments requires resilience, adaptability, and a lot of heart. As a co-owner of a family business, there are many days where you are wearing multiple hats leading operations, building partnerships, supporting your team, and still making sure your family remains the priority. Navigating those responsibilities while continuing to grow professionally has been one of the biggest challenges, but it has also shaped me into a stronger leader.”
She adds, “One of the greatest rewards has been seeing how a business can become more than just a service; it can become a platform for impact. Through Platinum Auto Glass, we have been able to build meaningful relationships in our community and support initiatives that recognize exceptional students and educators through Audrey’s Butterfly Effect, a mission inspired by my daughter Audrey that recognizes exceptional students and educators across the Lewisville Independent School District. Knowing that our work can help uplift others and create opportunities for recognition and encouragement has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.
“Being a woman in business has also taught me the importance of community and collaboration. The support of other women entrepreneurs has played a powerful role in my growth. Their mentorship, encouragement, and willingness to share experiences have reminded me that we don’t have to navigate these paths alone. When women support and uplift one another, we create stronger businesses, stronger communities, and new opportunities for the next generation of leaders. I truly believe that success is not just measured by what we achieve individually, but by how we empower others along the way.”
"One of the most rewarding parts of her journey has been the strong support she has received from other women business owners, both within construction and throughout the community. Their encouragement and willingness to champion one another has reinforced Corey’s belief that women belong in every area of business."