Page 136 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2016

a love like no other
Mary and Kelsey Sunderman
Knows Best
story by Kelsey Sunderman photos courtesy of Kelsey Sunderman, Meghan Butter eld and Josette Lewis
Among the plethora of local successful business women, many say their mothers are their source of strength and encouragement and their personal role models.
For Amber Lord, owner of Salon Rouge in Ocean Springs, her mother has had her back as she aspired to reach her career goal of owning her own
salon. Her mother,
Robin Whitfield,
is also a talented
hair stylist and
one of Lord's many
inspirations growing
up. “My mother
taught me that I
could do anything I
wanted to,” Lord said, “I just had to go out there and do it.”
Josette Lewis, owner of Southern Grounds Coffeehouse in Gulfport, remarked that her mother always made a point to instill in her the Golden Rule. For her mother,
Janet Strickland, treating others
as you would want to be treated was something she carried over from her personal life and into her career. “Not only do I try to treat people well and deliver a product I would enjoy, but treat our customers like family,” said Lewis.
Meghan Butterfield, owner of The Radish Loft in Gulfport and Biloxi, recalled a few words of wisdom from her mother that especially
stuck with her. Her mother, Kim Mason, is a nurse who always taught Butterfield to “never give up and to keep working hard to be the best at whatever you do.”
Butterfield's mother encouraged her to reach her career goals and keep her eye on the future: “'What looks good to you now won't look
so good in 10 years.'” She wasn't referring to looks, but to life,” Butterfield said. “She also stressed 'not to sweat the small stuff,' and more humorously, 'to always wear lycra on your thighs in public!'”
As for my own mother, Mary Sunderman, vice president of M2 Media Corp., I
know I would not be where I am today without her constant support and guidance. Throughout my life, she has always been there for me and been the person I knew I could count on. More than that, she gave me a goal to strive for: to be as kindhearted and loving as she is. Over the years, she has been more than a mother to me; she's also my greatest role model.
We have all been so lucky to have such shining examples in our lives. Many of our successes are owed to their support, and their contributions have not gone unnoticed.
Meghan Butter eld and Kim Mason
Josette Lewis and Janet Strickland
Robin Whit eld and Amber Lord
136 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2016
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