Jan Davies McDermott: From Homemaker to Facilitator

By Bud on November 6, 2007 TrackBacks (0) Comments (5)

Jan describes her 11 year journey from homemaker to facilitator for the Women Presidents Organization.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Defining New Markets | Facilitation | Jan Davies McDermott | Women Presidents Organization

In this seven and a half minute segment (download iPod compatible, 39MB), Jan Davies McDermott chronicles her journey from homemaker to facilitator. Jan lived 30 years working as a homemaker and mom. She then found herself facing a divorce with no job, no education, and no money. Her answer was to turn her house into a bed and breakfast, using the profits to finance a degree in training and development from Concordia University.

Eleven years later in 2005, she found herself being asked to lead the Southeast Michigan Chapter of the Women Presidents Organization. Additionally, she has a consulting practice in OSHA compliance and teaches for the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center.

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5 Comments

Phia Rabun on March 26, 2008 8:59 PM
Hello Ms. Davies McDermott, I remember a great number of years ago taking a class at C.E.E.D. in which I constructed my first business plan. I remember the arduous weeks of attending class for three-four nights per week. That was a great program! I was starting a company selling Limoges. It was also a great experience, I remember one woman in particular who started a doggie business, and I think that she is still in business (I used to take my dog to her business to use her tubs). I also remember other women each with a goal. I hail from Schoolcraft College; unfortunately have not taken any of your classes. It was fascinating to hear about the group that you are facilitating. I think that women have very different issues when in business than men. Thus, women need to be allowed to converse among themselves to seek solutions. I was not surprised that many of the women in the groups have similar issues but maybe on different levels and with slight variations. I was not surprised to learn that women represent the largest group of entrepreneurs right now. I think that a roundtable for women in second stage businesses is very necessary. There are many issues that can be solved by taking them to your peers, who can identity solutions that can be considered. It is good to hear that the WPO is now in 70 cities and still growing. I think that women can offer a lot to one another and although your organization is a business organization, I am sure that the women can network and share their knowledge to help each other, which is very beneficial. I am glad to hear that there are groups out there for women entrepreneurs. Although second stage takes a while to achieve, I would like to think that there are groups out there for women who have not yet reached second level. I think that growing a business at any stage represents challenges and to have a network of women who you can converse with about various issues is invaluable. Good luck with your future endeavors Jan! -Phia Rabun Eastern Michigan University
Phia Rabun on March 30, 2008 6:57 PM
Hello Ms. Davies McDermott, I remember a great number of years ago taking a class at C.E.E.D. in which I constructed my first business plan. I remember the arduous weeks of attending class for three-four nights per week. That was a great program! I was starting a company selling Limoges. It was also a great experience, I remember one woman in particular who started a doggie business, and I think that she is still in business (I used to take my dog to her business to use her tubs). I also, remember other women each with a goal. I hail from Schoolcraft College; unfortunately have not taken any of your classes. It was fascinating to hear about the group that you are facilitating. I think that women have very different issues when in business than men. Thus, women need to be allowed to converse among themselves to seek solutions. I was not surprised that many of the women in the groups have similar issues but maybe on different levels and with slight variations. I was not surprised to learn that women represent the largest group of entrepreneurs right now. I think that a roundtable for women in second stage businesses is very necessary. There are many issues that can be solved by taking them to your peers, who can identity solutions that can be considered. It is good to hear that the WPO is now in 70 cities and still growing. I think that women can offer a lot to one another and although your organization is a business organization, I am sure that the women can network and share their knowledge to help each other, which is very beneficial. I am glad to hear that there are groups out there for women entrepreneurs. Although second stage takes a while to achieve, I would like to think that there are groups out there for women who have not yet reached second level. I think that growing a business at any stage represents challenges and to have a network of women who you can converse with about various issues is invaluable. Good luck with your future endeavors Jan! -Phia Rabun Eastern Michigan University
M. Hogan on March 31, 2008 11:41 AM
Dear Jan Davies McDermott Divorce is a terrible thing especially if someone has to start back at square one. It is an amazing story to hear that you started a bed and breakfast and used the profits to go back to school, you have accomplished so much. It is so encouraging to hear women overcome the affects of divorce. My mom struggled from a divorce and is now a successful woman today. I applaud her greatly. I think women need to stick together and help each other stay strong and successful. Being a strong successful businesswoman take hard work and passion to compete against other companies and businessmen. As an Eastern Michigan Student taking business courses learning the challenges women face in the workplace and at home. It is encouraging to know women have a fighting chance regardless what life throws at them. Thank you for all the inspiration you have provided to all those listen to your interview. It is something I can take with me knowing that women are taking the workplace by storm and can do anything they put their mind to. Women have accomplished many things, voting rights, working rights and education rights. Women will only get stronger and accomplish more as time goes by. I think that is so encouraging. Sincerely, M. Hogan
Sarah Peterhans on June 10, 2008 1:40 AM
Ms. Davies McDermott, I think that your story is incredible. I'm a hospitality student at EMU and I hope to one day open my own bed and breakfast. I think its incredible that you took an awful event and turned it into something positive. I have spoken with other B&B owners and I've learned that running one is a lot of work. It's amazing that you ran your B&B and got your degree. I think that when starting a business, it's important to take advantage of the resources that you already have. Often times, the start up capital needed is not a small amount, and while you don't want to spend an obscene amount, you also don't want to cut corners. It's inspiring that you came so far from your divorce. It's inspiring to hear how you improvised and made sure that you were able to support yourself and your education after your divorce. I really admire that. Thank you for being an inspiration. Sarah Peterhans
Zachary Donofrio on November 17, 2008 9:04 PM
I have a ton of respect for Jan Davies. She has started from the ground up. She never graduated from college was a stay at home mom and once she was through the divorce all she had left was the house she lived in. It was amazing what she has done and the money she has made from this bed and breakfast to finance her schooling to further herself and others by helping women in small companies. This is a great example that you are never too old to go back to school and further your education. She is now a very powerful woman and may now be better off pursuing her passions after the divorce and seeing her real potential, when before she may have been held back entertaining guests and taking care of her home. However I am curious to know if you are still operating the bed and breakfast the one factor that got you on your feet and started. Although you have progressed and are far beyond just owning a Bed and Breakfast. I am a student at EMU and majoring in hospitality management. I would be interested to hear more about how you started running you’re at home business and the challenges that you encountered doing so. Also what lessons this small business has taught you and helped you be as successful as you are today. This must have created some degree of struggles for you and I would be interested in hearing these in further interviews. Thank you for providing such an inspirational and motivating story of how success can come at anytime in your life and how determined you are.

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