Bentley Hedges Travel has been a leader in the travel industry in Oklahoma for over 38 years and a Travel Leaders affiliate for 4 years.
Angela “Angie” Hedges Hendricks began her career in the travel industry in 1972. Her parents, Bentley and Alice Hedges founded Bentley Hedges Travel in Oklahoma City, OK in 1970 in her grandparents’ living room.
Angie has worked in virtually every position in the company and now serves as President and CEO. The agency is a Certified Woman-Owned Business.
Under Angie’s guidance, Bentley Hedges Travel consolidated outlying offices throughout Oklahoma and Texas into the Oklahoma City corporate headquarters as technology allowed for remote servicing of clients. Angie’s ability to keep the business plan flexible as the travel industry changed has allowed the company to sustain growth of nearly $7 million dollar agency employing 12 employees.
Angie is active in the South OKC Rotary, Greater OKC and South OKC Chambers of Commerce, a member of South OKC Chamber Team South Class II, serves as a member of the Personnel Committee at First Baptist Church of Moore, OK and serves on the Advisory Board of Travel Leaders. She is a 2009 Enterprising Women of the Year Winner.
In July 2008, Angie was asked by The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women – Peace through Business®2008 to mentor a woman business owner from Kigali, Rwanda who also owns and operates a travel agency. Again in 2009, Angie mentored another woman business owner of a travel agency. The bond between Angie and the women from Rwanda continues to flourish as they exchange ideas about their common vocation.
Angie is married to Steve Hendricks and they will celebrate their 31t wedding anniversary in 2010. They have two daughters, Dr. Stephanie Aldret of Tulsa, OK and Sgt. Audrey Hendricks, Army Reserves, currently serving in Baghdad, Iraq. They reside in Oklahoma City with their dog, Reuben.
Faina, 39 years old, owns Jet Travel, a travel agency in Rwanda.
After working in the travel agency business for nine years, the company for which she worked shut down, so Faina decided to open her own business.
The company offers services such as hotel and flight reservations, airport pick-up and drop-off, visa support, private drivers, car rental, full organization of business and private events, banquets and receptions, as well as honeymooner packages.Faina currently has four employees. Her goals over the next five years are to obtain accreditation by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and to open a Branch in Burundi.
Through her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS training, Faina hopes to learn more about tourism operations and hotel management.
BUSINESS: New Dawn Associates (social & event management)
Rica, 31 years old, co-owns New Dawn Associations (NDA), a tourism and event management firm.
Rica had always dreamed of becoming a strong politician, and perhaps even the Ambassador of her country, but the government opportunity presented before her six years ago was an unexpected one: tourism. After working for the Tourism Board for nearly four years, Rica decided that she wanted to start her own company.
“The excitement of tourism growth at the national level, the knowledge I had acquired of the industry and the opportunities of finding like-minded individuals, created or awakened the spirit of entrepreneurship that lied deep inside me.”
Three years and eight employees later, Rica and her business partner run their business. NDA is a social enterprise that offers enlightening experiences for special interest groups, as well as superior destination and event management services in Rwanda. Clients range from leading international organizations, government institutions, universities, incentive houses and operators to philanthropists, educational travelers and celebrities. Rica prides her company on the fact that they tailor each experience based on individual interests.
Over the next five years, Rica’s business goals include expanding her tourism packages into the East African Region. She knows that competition will be tight, all the more reason to position her company in the market. Rica hopes to grow her business at least five fold in the next five years.
Eventually, she would like to have representation in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Through her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS training, Rica would like to learn more about financials, because she has no formal training in this area. Though she has some innovative ideas, she would also like to learn more about marketing, especially on the side of event management.
“I belong to a family of professionals and not of entrepreneurs; I am therefore a pioneer in my family,” Rica wrote. “While I thought it would be a lonely road with no mentors or role model, I now see it as an adventure with an audience that is encouraging me to go to the unknown with great hopes for the future to come.”
BUSINESS: Hallo Phone Store/Rwanda Heritage Tours & Travel Company
Molly, 35 years old, co-owns two businesses: mobile phone company and a tourism company, which offers transportation, hotel and ticket booking services.
Molly wanted to be a part of developing her country, as a citizen and as a woman.
Currently, Molly has 10 employees. Through her PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS training, she hopes to share knowledge and experiences with fellow businesswomen and learn how to improve her businesses.
January is National Mentor Month… Where would we be without our wonderful mentors?
January is National Mentor Month. At the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women we take pride in knowing that we have directly helped more than 200 women in Afghanistan and Rwanda improve their personal and professional lives thanks to the mentorship of women business owners throughout the United States. Read more about National Mentor [...]
IEEW CEO & Founder Wins 2011 Association for Women in Communication Matrix Foundation Award!
IEEW Founder, Dr. Terry Neese just learned she received the 2011 Association for Women in Commuications Matrix Foundation Award for her contributions to the advancement of women through education, entreprenurialism, empowerment, and mentorship around the world. Congratulations, Dr. Neese!
The 2011 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Graduates are Committed to Paying It Forward!
The 2011 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS International Women’s Conference and Graduation was a huge success. The women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda have returned to their home countries with a renewed commitment to pay forward the knowledge and sense of empowerment they received from the program. We congratulate the Class of 2011!
Paying it Forward: PTB Alumnae to Serve as Parliament Lawmakers in Rwanda!
2010 Alumna, Marie Josée Kankera and 2011 Alumna, Teddy Gacinya were sworn in yesterday to Rwanda’s Parliamentary House. Teddy, a newly appointed Senator and Marie Josée, one of the newly appointed members of Parliament, took their oath of office Wednesday and then were welcomed to the House by President Paul Kagame. President Kagame noted that while there [...]
Best-Selling Author of “It’s Your Biz” Book to Donate Proceeds to the Institute!
It’s Your Biz, by Susan Wilson Solovic Dear friend of the Insitute and best-selling author, Susan Wilson Solovic is donating $2 from the sale of every book to support our mission! We thank her for this gracious gift and urge you check out Susan’s website to place your order today. Buy The Book Here! (Use Referral Code [...]
T. Boone Pickens Foundation Spotlights IEEW in August!
The Pickens Foundation has supported the Institute since the first PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program launched in 2007. Pickens fervent belief in the power of entrepreneurship is at the heart of his support for the Institutes work. “I believe that you build stability in developing economies by helping entrepreneurs get a stable foothold, which is why we support [...]
IEEW Founder Receives Honors for a Lifetime of Empowering Women!
Dr.Terry Neese, founder of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday night during The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year Gala, held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Terry was recognized for her business savvy, political involvement, and contributions to empowering women both domestically and globally. “It is a great honor to [...]
PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program graduates Gloria Uwizera and Akaliza Gara are featured in The Service Mag’s September edition: Young Women Entreprenuers. Read their inspiring articles here: Gloria Uwizera Akaliza Gara
Take a look at this article in October’s issue of Fortune Magazine - “The X Factor“. Our founder, Dr. Terry Neese, talks about the economic impact of women-owned firms and the connection between entrepreneurship and freedom.
2007 PTB Graduate Elected to Afghan Chamber of Commerce!
Congratulations to Qandi Amaki (Jan), who was just elected as the Afghan Chamber of Commerce Industry’s Director of Membership. Amaki, a 2007 inaugural PTB graduate, made history when she was first elected to this body because she was the only women ever allowed in. Now, she holds a higher position and credits IEEW’s work. [...]
IEEW Joins With Google to Help Small Businesses in Oklahoma Get Online!
We just joined Oklahoma Get Your Business Online, a Google-led program to help small businesses in Oklahoma get online. You’re invited ! November 3 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame Tulsa, OK November 8 Will Rogers Theater Oklahoma City, OK Register today Google and friends are coming to town to get your business online! Oklahoma Get [...]
Advocate Peace: PAY It Forward With an End-of-Year Donation!
Women are a vital resource in any nation’s advancement; they must be able to contribute economically, socially, and politically in order for a nation to develop and prosper on a global level. Unfortunately, there are nations who have not fully tapped in to this potential. The great news is, you can be a part of the solution! Help promote international [...]
Dr. Terry Neese to be Featured in 2012 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar
Dr. Terry Neese was selected from over 5,000 submissions to be featured in The 2012 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. The calendar provides advice for women business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada and goes on sale today! Order your calendar here: 2012 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar
Dr. Terry Neese on The Small Business Advocate Show with Jim Blasingame
Dr. Terry Neese, Founder and CEO of The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women discusses the mission, peace & prosperity building initiatives, and recent success stories on the Jim Blasingame radio show, The Small Business Advocate. Click here to listen
IEEW Joins Global Community in Celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 14-20 is Global Entrepreneurship Week(GEW). Enterprising individuals around the globe are held up and spurred on for their part in the transformation of small-town main street USA to developing nation’s villages. GEW is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch start ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand [...]
Advancement of Women Award Honoree, Dr. Terry Neese Ties Success to Three 3′s
A big thank you to the Association of Women in Communications for honoring Dr. Neese with this year’s Matrix Award and for posting this article in the December edition of the AWC Communique. Read the full article here: AWC Communique
Dr. Terry Neese, Empowering Businesswomen Here & Overseas
Check out this article in Corps! Magazine on the Institute, our PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program, and our founder, Dr. Terry Neese. Corps! Magazine Article
The New Times Celebrates PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Rwanda Alumnae Association Launch
The New Times featured the amazing women of the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Rwanda Alumnae Association and their successful launch celebrations. Read more here: The New Times – Rwanda’s First Daily
Dr. Terry Neese and Sarah Sears of S Design Inc. Talk About the Importance of Mentoring on NEWSOK
Two-time mentor and longtime friend of the Institute Sarah Sears, president of the OKC design firm S Design Inc. joined IEEW’s CEO and founder Dr. Terry Neese to speak about the importance of mentorship to thePEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program. Watch the video here: NEWSOK – Local Group Spotlights National Mentoring Month
IEEW’s Newest Board Member and Best-Selling Author, Susan Wilson Solovic Blogs about PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS
Expert blogger, founder and CEO of ItsYourBiz.com, best selling author, and IEEW’s newest board member Susan Wilson Solovic blogs about the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® program and the importance of mentors. Thanks Susan! Fast Company Mag – Mentoring Women in a Global Economy
