Diana Morrison, businesswoman and advocate, has her words of advice ready.
“If an entrepreneur came to me today and said, ‘Dianna, what do I do to succeed,’ I’d say, ‘You have to have a plan. All the determination and hard work in the world will not get you anywhere other than tired.’
“You have to have a plan and you have to work the plan,” said Morrison, owner of Savannah-based Advertising Specialty Services.
“The second thing I would tell them is, ‘Do what you say you will do and build your brand personally as being a committed, trustworthy person.’
“The third thing I would tell them is, ‘Pay attention to everything — not just the money, not just the marketing — but absolutely everything that goes on in your community — how you can help, how you can benefit and how others can benefit.’”
These words of wisdom not only helped Morrison transform her business from its humble beginnings that operated out of the trunk of her car into an enterprising multi-faceted operation with a professional showroom floor on Montgomery Crossroad.
They also led to the United States Small Business Association’s Georgia District recognizing her as the Women in Business Champion of the Year in Atlanta on May 16.
SBA Georgia district spokesman Mark Gibson said that in addition to Morrison serving as a champion for women in business, what set her apart from other nominees for the award was her involvement in the Savannah community.
On top of overseeing the operation of her business and its 10 employees, serving as a board member for the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation, USO-Savannah, YMCA of Coastal Georgia, Coastal Area District Development Authority, United Way of the Coastal Empire and Healthy Savannah, are just a few of the many ways Morrison is involved in the Savannah community.
“It is my personal and professional opinion that no one within the state of Georgia contributes more to the Savannah community and advancement of small businesses than Diana Morrison,” wrote Gulfstream’s corporate small business program administrator Marshall Tuck in Morrison’s nomination letter.
“She adopts each new business she meets and continuously offers tips and resources for everyone, either as a successful small businesses owner, entrepreneur, educator or as visionist, she is always focused on success.”
SAVANNAHIANS HONORED BY THE GEORGIA SBA
Georgia Exporter of the Year
Laura Darnall and Lois Judy
Fondarific/Candy Craft Creations
Small Business Person of the Year First Runner Up
Jeffery Manley and Jusak Bernhard
TailsSpin Pet Supply Store
Women in Business Champion of the Year
Diana Morrison
Advertising Specialty Services
