August 27, 2004 - Triangle Business Journal

Women's Business Award 2004

Momentum Group President Honored With Women In Business Award

Raleigh, NC

Winners' profiles: Espy

Terry Sanders Espy, President, Momentum Group

Business description: A turn-key project management and development group specializing in the medical environment.

Professional

Job responsibilities: Manage all aspects of day-to-day operations within the company, as well as all marketing and development of potential relationships.

Number of people you manage: Seven internally and 35 in the field.

Most difficult part of job: Having to make commitments to clients that have to be handled by employees or subcontractors. I am obsessed with not letting people down.

Most enjoyable part of job: The satisfaction of a great open house party celebrating the success and the pride in the project.

Accomplishment most proud of in the last year: Realizing that it is OK to be confident in my abilities. I have always been strong and driven, but felt that I had to continually hire experts in their field to offset my shortcomings. I have come to realize that I was insecure and I am just now realizing my own strengths.

Three most memorable highlights in your career: 1. Leaving corporate America and jumping head first into my own business. 2. Experiencing the failure of my first business. 3. Getting up, dusting myself off and going at it again with greater insight and wisdom.

Best career decision: My nature is to put the welfare of others before my own. I have made a career of taking care of people and their needs. A friend let me know that this is a great business, but that I would always be working for the fee or the next job. Our company is now focused on running projects for individuals that we have a mutual respect for, as well as spending half of my time developing medical parks in various locations that will offer a longer term return and security.

Career decision you most regret: Opening a lighting showroom. I learned that I must follow my own instincts - not those of someone else.

What motivates you? Meeting that special client that has a passionate vision of what they want but cannot get there on their own.

Most influential person in your career: There are so many people that have shaped me and inspired me, I simply cannot name one.

Achievement most proud of: Three years ago in May I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Momentum Group was just getting rolling. It actually turned out to be primarily a scheduling issue. I made it through the chemo, missing only the day. My business doubled during that period.

Career goal: I have two facets to my career goal. First, is to continue to help good, trusting clients make their business dreams a reality. My second goal is to develop and build my own medical/professional parks, with partners of like mind and values. The longer term return is what I am interested in at this stage of my life.

What is your strategy for balancing your professional and personal/family responsibilities? I believe it is vital that you schedule your personal appointments just like you would a business responsibility. I have couriers run many of my personal errands so my time is free to deal with the work issues that are important and my free time is for my family. I have three boys and have always employed them to do work for the company instead of just

giving them allowances.

Who are you mentoring? I have been working with Athens High School Business Co-Op program for a few years. At the firm, we have interns from Meredith and Campbell. We normally have two to three high school seniors spending one day a week at our office.

PERSONAL

Education: University of South Carolina, B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies.

First childhood job: Christmas gift wrapper.

Three adjectives that best describe you: Focused, confident, upbeat.

Towns you grew up in: Between Conway and Myrtle Beach.

Favorite childhood activity: Our Dad bought us three girls dirt bikes. We spent numerous hours on those bikes.

Favorite downtime activity: Back at the beach.

Favorite author: No favorite. I just love to read.

Favorite vacation spot: Last year a group of eight couples chartered two sailboats out of Tortola. We were not allowed to bring cell phones, lap tops or hair dryers. This was as relaxing a week as I have ever experienced.

Charitable organization you are involved in: Breast cancer mentoring program - Angel Fund.

What community organization are you most passionate about? When my oldest son, Matt, began roller blading and skateboarding five years ago he complained that the police were harassing him. The mayor of Cary, Glen Lang, recommended Matt put a proposal together for the Town Council requesting that a Skate Park be built. The Council told the skaters, if they could generate $30,000, then the park would be built. These kids worked for two years to raise the funds and Sk8 Cary was born.

Automobile: Mercedes E430 Sport.

Did you play team sports in school? I grew up when there were very few team sports for women. I was a cheerleader and played tennis.

Family: Husband, Jerry L. Espy; sons, Matt, 18; Kennan,16; Drew, 12.

Favorite song: Anything by James Taylor.

Favorite restaurant? VINS.

What does winning this award mean to you? Winning this award is amazing. I am still at a loss as I have met so many accomplished businesswomen and feel honored that I would be considered to be part of such a great sorority.