PRESS RELEASE

Small Investments Banking on Big Futures
Young women intern for local women-owned businesses

 Addie Delph

Finding a valuable internship this summer was a formidable task for many college students, but for some budding female professionals, the golden ticket was right down the street.  Thanks to Professional Bank’s “Future Women In Business” program, seven young women have the opportunity to work with local women entrepreneurs and executives.

Darlene Ellison, Vice President of Business Development at Professional Bank (located in Lakewood, Park Cities, and Garland), created the internship program two years ago as an extension of her “Women In Business” program. Through both the Lakewood and Park Cities WIB programs, female business owners and executives rendezvous for monthly networking socials. Driven to empower younger women in the neighborhoods that Professional Bank serves, Ellison designed a program to teach young women essential business skills, the art of networking, and how to balance their personal and professional lives. 

“I want young women to learn about their areas of professional interest, but beyond that, I want them to see how a woman can balance a family, own a business, take care of herself, and network,” says Ellison. “I want them to realize that there is no box.”

Intern Emily Vecella, a rising University of Texas junior, is a successful example of the program’s mission. As a marketing intern for TrueBeautyRx, a local beauty and pharmaceutical sales company, she boasts a long list of the skills she is acquiring. From creating purchase orders to organizing sales events, she is experiencing hands-on how to run a small business. As important, she is learning the value of interacting with others in the business world.

“It’s amazing how a simple conversation at a networking event can lead to a whole world of new ideas and opportunities,” says Vecella, who now keeps a stack of colorful business cards in her wallet.

Meredith White, a recent graduate of Texas A&M, echoes the sentiment. White felt so connected to her internship at Coffee News Dallas last summer that she returned for another season.  As a sales intern for the local publication, she works on marketing and selling of advertisements.

“I came back to Coffee News because I love learning from my mentor, who magically seems to be everywhere at once,” says White. “It’s a great fit because the job offers challenges and opportunities for growth that I wouldn’t find in a large corporation. I have learned to be flexible and trust my own judgment when it comes to quick decision making.” 

Vecella shares this enthusiasm. “I keep dropping hints that I could help my boss with the company from my Austin apartment,” she says.

This dedication is a two-way street. Ronda Moreland, White’s mentor and owner of Coffee News Dallas, says she trusts White with every aspect of her business. Working with an intern has helped her slow down, stop taking short cuts, and get back to the basics of owning a business. She says there is no doubt she will continue to serve as a mentor for this internship program in the years to come.

This year’s interns also include three students working in different areas of Professional Bank, from administration to the lending department, as well as an intern helping manage GoodNewsGirlz.com, a website delivering positive news to young women.

In addition to their daily responsibilities, interns will partake in professional development seminars such as the upcoming Lunch-N-Learn with Nancy Barry, a local author and motivational speaker. As a corporate veteran and a mother, Barry is a “Gen Y expert” as well as a resume, interview, and networking guru. She is adamant about educating students on everything from the perfect handshake to the perfect business e-mail.  

While still in its beginning phases, the “Future Women In Business” is a promising and growing internship program in Lakewood, Park Cities, and Garland. With Ellison’s passion to inspire, she is working on expanding the program to 20 businesses in 2010 and is writing a book for professional women entitled, Create Your Own Current. 

Professional Bank hopes that, beyond investing in the lives of these young women, it is also investing in the community. The bank hopes to see interns return to Dallas and the neighborhoods that gave them their starts, continuing the success of local businesses.

“I encourage young women to participate in this program,” says White. “I would love to be a mentor one day.”

With positive feedback surfacing from all, this seems like an accomplishable goal. Keep an eye out for the program’s presence in the neighborhood – and for these rising young women.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT “Future Women in Business,” please contact Darlene Ellison at dellison@professionalbankna.com or (214) 269-2122.  For more information about Professional Bank, visit their website at www.professionalbankna.com.