Callaway County's first Women Who Own it Award is going to a woman who helps the county see clearly.
Cindy Vann co-owns VisionArts Eyecare and was announced Tuesday as the award's winner. Judges highlighted her focus on taking care of VisionArts' patients and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
"I was shocked and surprised, but happy," Vann said Wednesday. "There's a lot of other women in the community who would be very deserving of it."
Vann is VisionArts' practice manager and is also a certified optician through the American Board of Opticianry.
"This is a brand-new award we're starting," said Jessie Yankee, director of the Missouri Women's Business Center. "The (MoWBC) has only been open for a little over two years. We really wanted a way to celebrate some of the women in our counties."
MoWBC, a program of Central Missouri community Action, serves eight counties and has offices in Columbia, Fulton and Jefferson City. It serves as a free resource for female entrepreneurs, especially those who are starting their first business.
"We love Columbia, but the other counties don't get as much exposure when it comes to female entrepreneurs," Yankee said. "We were trying to find a way to celebrate a woman from each of our eight counties."
Each year, the Missouri Women's Business Center will choose a female entrepreneur who embodies several central values.
"When we opened the nomination process, we sent word out to the Chambers of Commerce in each county," Yankee said. "We requested that people nominate women who (exemplify) talent, leadership and, most importantly, a commitment to their community."
Nominees also had to be majority owners in their business, which needed to be at least a year old. Nominees received detailed applications to complete, in which they were encouraged to reflect on their growth, mission and strengths. A panel of anonymous judges scored each application to choose a winner in each county.
"Callaway was particularly hard," Yankee said. "There were quite a few really great women. Those women are welcome to apply again next year."
Vann gained an edge by carefully following the application instructions, Yankee said.
"She was concise and thorough," Yankee added.
Vann co-owns VisionArts with her husband, optometrist James Vann. Previously, she was a store manager for Waterford Wedgwood.
James came to work for the practice in 1990, and after spending time caring for her premature son, Cindy soon began working part-time at the office. In 1992, James bought it from previous owner Dr. Richard White.
"I've done everything for the office throughout the years," Vann said.
The pair raised two sons, now 28 and 24, while managing the practice. Vann remembers wearing a timer on her lab coat to remind her when to pick up the children from preschool.
"My kids have seen the hard work we've put into it, and it's paid off," Vann said.
Many applicants talked about finding a balance between work and family, Yankee said.
Vann's counsel for other working mothers: "You can't feel guilty. When you're having to take your kids to babysitters, you probably will feel guilty, but you shouldn't. You also can't do it all, or the stress levels will eat you alive."
Vann said she's focused on building a good relationship with the community, because that's where VisionArts' patients come from. Each year, VisionArts has a Caring for Callaway fall fundraiser, during which employees raise money for a charity chosen in advance. Central Missouri Honor Flight was the lucky recipient this year, Vann said.
"It's hard work, but it definitely feels good," she added.
The Women Who Own It Awards are slated for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Brick District Playhouse, 613 Court St., Fulton. Tickets can be purchased at: bit.ly/OwnItTix; proceeds benefit the Missouri Women's Business Center.