Three Women Who Inspired Me in Business and in Life

Woman-owned, operated, and inspired. Galvanized Creative Founder & CEO Cari Schmoock reflects upon the ending of Women’s History Month by sharing with us the incredible heroines to whom she attributes her momentous success.

Three Women Who Inspired Me in Business and in Life

There have been so many awesome women in my life who have inspired me. It is difficult to pick just three to write about, but here it goes. The most inspirational woman was my mother. She always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do, and I believed her! My mother supported me in every crazy idea I ever had and never told me I could not do something. She was innovative and creative in her tactics to make it through life. My mom was a hustler that would leverage her talents to make money when she could or needed to, to support her family.

My mother was extremely crafty. She could make anything with her hands. She encouraged and nurtured my artistic soul and my individualistic nature and style in viewing the world and my place in it. I lost her in 2006 when I was only twenty-four and still finding my future. If she were still with us, she would be a writer on my staff and proofing everything I wrote. My mom inspired me to be the best version of myself that I can be, to tap into my creative spirit and most of all to love and care for others as she did every day.

During my mother’s illness, I was working on my degree in Art Education but decided to take a break and get my cosmetology license.  I desperately needed to do something with my hands and utilize my creativity.  I became a great colorist and worked in the field for 8 years.  During this period, I married and created three beautiful boys.

Three Women Who Inspired Me in Business and in Life

After my youngest was born, I got the itch to finish my bachelor’s degree, which I did in Graphic Design.  My friend Brielle, who I have known since elementary school, was a web designer and hired me to do some graphic design for her company. She is an amazing creative free thinker, innovator, and entrepreneur, who is extremely driven to succeed.

Brielle encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and pursue a career in design, which led me to a position as a graphic designer for three years. I then branched off to pursue my own business. She set me on the path of entrepreneurship with her amazing support, advice, and friendship, which I will be forever grateful for.

Business was rocky through the pandemic, as it was for most companies, but we made it through.  However, it was very slow as firms were trying to find their footing in the new directions that were being formed due to the pandemic. In the late summer of 2021, I decided to join the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce (HVCC). This was by far the best business decision that I had made up to this point. At the beginning of 2022, I became President of the Huron Valley Referral Networking Group under the HVCC. The group met weekly and consisted of 17 small businesses from the community.

This is where I met my good friend Sherise. I soon discovered that she was an amazing entrepreneur and business woman.  Sherise urged me to think bigger. She was supportive and inspiring and always made time to give me advice. Sherise empowered me to believe in myself and my business. She pushed me to network and connect with other business owners. I learned to be more business minded, and with her encouragement made the choice to invest in an office space to make my business more official. I now have four great employees and my business grows every day.

I have had many challenges in my life, but I have succeeded to push forward with great support from family, friends and my community of inspiring women who are so amazing. 

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” -Margaret Fuller, American journalist, critic, and women’s rights advocate