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Recently relocated from the NYC area this past summer, I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome I’ve received in Gainesville. The move was inspired by close friends who settled here a few years ago, and I’m excited to begin this new chapter.

A little about me: After performing on stage and television as a child, I earned a BFA from the renowned Juilliard School and worked as a professional dancer in NYC. I became a Master Teacher in the dance and fitness industry teaching children to adult populations and training the teachers in the latest trends in fitness. After retiring from performing to raise a family, I pursued academics—earning a doctorate and multiple master’s degrees in Applied Physiology and Movement Science from Columbia University’s Teachers College. During that time, I conducted research at Columbia’s College of Physicians & Surgeons in women’s health, obesity, and the autonomic nervous system.

My career then shifted into medical writing, strategy, and education, working with top healthcare information companies and medical news organizations. Leading and developing content for Continuing Medical Education initiatives, I refined my expertise in cardiometabolic health (cardiology, endocrinology, diabetes). This path led me to manage and mentor educational field teams for several pharmaceutical companies. A lifelong learner, I earned an MBA from Walden University during COVID.

Seeing a need in the dance world, I founded Performing Health (www.PerformingHealth.com), a company dedicated to nutrition awareness and mindfulness for preprofessional dancers and athletes. I co-authored the Dance Nutrition Guidelines published by the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science and delivered invited lectures at conservatories in the U.S. and Europe on eating disorders and improving teacher-student conversations around weight and perfectionism. While I’m encouraged that more schools now address disordered eating and guide teachers on how to speak with students about weight, I am particularly interested today in the mental impact of high‑performance training on young performers.

I am thrilled to serve as Ambassador and member of the Board of Trustees at Dance Alive National Ballet Company here in Gainesville, helping to raise awareness about the new facilities under construction that will strengthen the company’s artistic and educational mission in the community.

Having served for over a decade on nonprofit boards spanning community development, arts education, and higher learning—championing inclusive governance, strategic growth, and high‑impact fundraising—I am looking forward to exploring opportunities to be part of mission‑driven organizations that value strategic leadership, community engagement, and sustainable growth.

The discipline, ensemble work, attention to detail, and communication skills I learned through dance have shaped my leadership roles as an executive director and board member across civic, religious, performing arts, and fitness organizations. My “superpower” is bringing people together to apply creative, collaborative methods to innovate and meet challenges.

This next chapter in Gainesville is about exploring where I can be of service—and building meaningful friendships along the way. 

Adrienne Stevens, EdD, MBA | LinkedIn

 

My husband and I started Cross Creek Concrete Coatings about 2.5 years ago. Starting a business was a bit of a coming home step for us. We met in Gainesville while attending UF in the late 1990’s. A job took us to a Jacksonville and then to Bluffton, SC. Our next-door neighbor started a concrete coating, and he asked me to come listen to the marketing information.  That day changed my career course, and I went from being a stay-at-home mom to a salesperson with no prior sales experience. And I loved it. I especially loved meeting clients and solving their problems.

Post covid, my husband was ready for a career change. We decided to come back to Florida, and we started our own concrete coating company and named it Cross Creek Concrete Coatings. We are about 2.5 years into our own venture. Neither of us came from a business background, but we watched our neighbor run his company and we formulated what worked and what could be improved.

What makes Cross Creek Concrete Coatings different is twofold. We expertly apply the best quality of concrete coatings with the longest warranty AND we offer superior customer service. We come from a strong customer focused past and based the foundation of our company on that experience. You are buying more than a coating; you are buying us and our commitment to your happiness with the entire process. We take immense gratification is transforming a once ugly concrete patio into a place of beauty and durability that will last for years and years. 

In the past year we have keyed in on focused marketing and earning outstanding Google reviews. Word of mouth and referrals are the strongest form of advertising for us, and we strive to provide a service that clients want to share with their friend, family and neighbors. 

I was invited to my first GAWN meeting in August by Barbara Miller. Being in a male dominated market for the last six years, it was extremely refreshing to be surrounded by woman all focused on building relationships, succeeding in their businesses and helping others succeed. I can easily say that GAWN has been an incredible networking opportunity so far.  

I’ve always wanted to start my own business. From a young age, I watched the women in my life face challenges head-on and emerge stronger, having made the courageous decision to start their own businesses. I admired their grit and the freedom they created for themselves. Deep down, I always thought: One day, that will be me.

When my fiancé Edwin and I moved to High Springs just over four months ago and bought our first home together, I didn’t realize we were setting into motion a chain of events that would change our lives. But it took 30 years of placing dominos before they finally fell in beautiful unison.

I was born and raised in South Florida, where I spent most of my time indoors reading books. At 16, I got my driver’s license and my first job at Tropical Smoothie (spoiler: this becomes relevant later). I attended the University of Florida and earned both my Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of International Business, becoming a proud Double Gator. Gainesville gave me more than degrees; I found a community and made lifelong friendships.

Still, after graduation, I felt ready for a change. A job offer from a large CPG company led me to trade my tank tops for winter coats and move up to the Northeast. Though I gained valuable experience in corporate sales, marketing, and strategy, my dream of starting a business never faded. After five winters up north, I felt a pull to return home and reconnect with family.

Back in South Florida, life had a funny way of coming full circle. Edwin, the same guy I had worked with at Tropical Smoothie a decade earlier, was also back in town. We met up for hot chocolate, played several games of chess, and never looked back.

As our relationship rekindled, so did our shared ambition. Edwin had been working for his family’s insurance agency and, like me, dreamed of building something of his own. When we toured a home in High Springs, we fell in love with the town. It felt like the right place to plant roots.

Soon after putting in an offer on the house, we noticed something surprising: Gainesville didn’t have a GreatFlorida Insurance office, the franchise Edwin’s family had been part of for 40 years. The opportunity we’d both dreamed of had dropped out of the sky and into our laps. Edwin brought the insurance expertise, I brought the marketing and operations background, and together we began laying the foundation for our future.

After months of searching for the right office, gutting and renovating the space, and navigating mountains of paperwork, GreatFlorida Insurance of Gainesville officially opened in August 2025. Turns out, opening was the easy part.

Running a local business means constantly learning. A chance introduction to GAWN (thank you, Jennifer) led me to a room full of brilliant, welcoming women. Joining was a no-brainer.

I’m proud to say I’ve achieved my dream, but now the real work begins. I look forward to growing alongside the incredible women of GAWN. 

Hi everyone. My name is Terra LaFleur, I was born and raised in High Springs.  My grandfather was the mayor in the 60’s. So locally grown…

I have worked in many different industries, but the main goal is making customers happy and satisfied. Between working for Hospice to owning a high-end consignment shop and antique store.  To creating a catering company and now working in Sales and Marketing with a local publisher that has been in the Gainesville area for more than 30 years. But my first love is catering and event planning. That’s why I created Effortless Events.  I can be there in every aspect of a bride's special day to make sure her dream is fulfilled. Help a widow create the day that everyone will celebrate and remember about their loved one’s life. It makes me feel complete to help in such a selfless way.

GAWN has been a great resource to getting my service recognized, I especially love the way this organization is involved in Santa Fe college’s displaced homemaker’s program. I love listening to the achievements these women make and how this program has changed their life's. 
As a strong independent woman, I love supporting other strong independent women.

Thank you for letting me share

How did I get here?  I moved back to FL 6 years ago to be the Regional Publisher/Market President for the Gainesville Sun, the Ocala Star Banner and the Leesburg Daily Commercial. I was excited to get back to FL as I had lived here previously for 11 years in much different markets – Key West, Miami Beach, Kissimmee.  With a daughter, son-in-law and 2 granddaughters, as well as a ton of other family all in FL, it was great to be back.  So even though I'm not from here (I'm a New Orleans native), I'm definitely now a Floridian! 

I've been in newspaper and magazine publishing for about 30 years in several states - heading up advertising teams and being on the business side.  I've also had a few years on the corporate side as a training/sales director. After being here for just 2 years, the Publisher positions were all eliminated, locally they also discontinued our specialty products - the old Gainesville Magazine and the Parade of Homes guide.  Without a monthly or similar lifestyle magazine in the area, I made the decision to purchase the City Lifestyle franchise for this market and launched the Gainesville City Lifestyle, the area's monthly, upscale lifestyle magazine focusing on local businesses, arts, and the community.  I think we’re unique in that way – that our content features are free for appropriate businesses and community leaders.  And we’re free and available for anyone who'd like to receive it at their home or business.  

Starting a business or buying a franchise like I did, it's not easy!  It's a challenge to figure out the expenses and learning to be profitable. We’ve experienced great growth and improvements increasing our distribution and our monthly readership, which gives the featured people and businesses that much more exposure. Another big change is our social media marketing platform now offering paid meta advertising to our partners with guaranteed impressions starting at 15,000 per month.    

What I really value is the importance of community involvement, giving back, and being out there!  I’ve learned it's easy to burn out.  Decide what you’re passionate about and what will help you - professionally, personally, spiritually, and focus on that.  In addition to being a GAWN board member and Member Services Chair, I'm also a Gainesville Chamber Diplomat, a BANCF Ambassador, and a Rotarian.  I'm pretty tapped out here but occasionally do go to other networking events outside of these organizations.  Just choose carefully and the ones that make sense for you.  

I joined GAWN though because I was looking for something exactly like this!  I joined in December 2020, and I was SO HAPPY they were meeting in person and not on Zoom!  At my very first meeting, I hardly knew anybody, but it was very easy to get involved, start meeting people, and feel welcomed.  I also really like the wide variety of members and their business backgrounds.  I like that we're not all from similar industries.  

Hello! I'm Cynthia Gonzalez, your gateway to extraordinary travel experiences. For the past three years, I've called Interlachen in the Greater Gainesville area home, drawn to this vibrant college town where Gatorade was born and the Gators reign supreme.

With 11 years as a Cruise Planners franchise owner and luxury travel specialist, I bring a unique blend of travel expertise and business acumen to every client relationship. My extensive finance background in corporate America has given me an insider's understanding of busy professionals who work tirelessly all year and dream of their next adventure. I recognize that most travelers feel overwhelmed by the countless options available online and can spend months trying to plan a vacation. Instead of letting my clients struggle through this process, I take the time to understand what's truly important to them, then provide expert recommendations that eliminate the guesswork and deliver remarkable experiences and cherished memories.

As an Elite Cruise Counselor (ECC)—a prestigious designation from the Cruise Lines International Association, I've earned the industry's highest recognition for cruise expertise. My dedication to excellence was further validated when I was honored with the Cruise Planners Platinum Anchor award for exceeding $700,000 in sales in 2024. I've completed specialized training with multiple cruise lines ensuring I can match clients with the perfect luxury experience.

My wanderlust has taken me to over 50 countries and 100 cities, and my linguistic abilities in English, Spanish, and Portuguese (with Italian and French in progress) allow me to connect with cultures worldwide. My personal bucket list? It includes spending a night under the Northern Lights in Norway, encountering gorillas in Uganda, and attending a World Cup final—adventures that fuel my understanding of what makes travel truly life-changing.

What sets me apart is my concierge-level service combined with my expertise in navigating the overwhelming world of travel options. I don't just book trips. I curate experiences tailored specifically for travelers seeking luxury, convenience, and unforgettable memories. Rather than spending months sorting through endless possibilities, my clients benefit from personalized guidance that transforms the planning process from overwhelming to exciting.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet and collaborate with the fabulously talented members of GAWN, and I'm developing additional community connections through the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, the Putnam County Chamber, and BNI (Business Network International). My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? "Join a business networking group and get involved in the community."

When I'm not crafting dream vacations for clients, you'll find me traveling, gardening, reading political thrillers, kickboxing, or enjoying card games. And my greatest joy comes from those precious moments when clients share photos from their adventures—proof that my meticulous planning has created memories that will last a lifetime.

Hi, I’m Katherine Osman, and I’ve been proud to call Gainesville home for nearly 22 years — the longest I’ve lived anywhere! I was born in Michigan, grew up just outside Toronto, and went to Michigan State University. The entrepreneurial spirit has always run deep — I even ran a tanning booth business out of my dorm room at MSU! After college, I started my career in labor relations at General Motors, moved into finance, and eventually transitioned into full-time motherhood and the adventure of international moves — including three years in Mexico.

After relocating to Gainesville with two young kids, I thought I’d go back to school for teaching. Instead, I took what I assumed would be a temporary receptionist job at a new retirement community — Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. That “temporary” job turned into a 21-year career, where I eventually became Director of Community Services. I helped shape many of the programs that made Oak Hammock unique and was proud to be the first employee to reach the 20-year milestone. I left in 2025, ready to embrace the next chapter.

In 2020, my husband and I launched Pinspiration Gainesville, a DIY craft studio — just in time for the pandemic to shut us down after a year of build-out! In 2024, we expanded our family’s business portfolio with Shrunk 3D Gainesville, a mobile 3D photography studio that captures your likeness in stunning detail. Housed in a custom trailer, the studio uses 95 HD cameras and 8 projectors to capture 190 high-resolution images in under a second, creating hyper-realistic 3D replicas of people, pets, and objects. We also offer a 2D-to-3D service, transforming your favorite photos into custom 3D-printed models. I now work full time in our family businesses, blending creativity, community, and a little bit of chaos — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Most recently, our youngest, George, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease. For several years, he was believed to have Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, so receiving the correct diagnosis was both a shock and a relief. As we adjust to this new reality, I’m looking to become more involved in raising awareness, supporting research, and connecting with others in the FA community.

I love connecting with other women in business. Gainesville may be a smaller town, but the talent pool is incredibly deep — and I’m always inspired by the passion, strength, and creativity of the women I meet through networks like GAWN.

One piece of advice I’m still learning to take myself: don’t be afraid to talk about your work or your businesses. I’ve always been quick to champion others — especially the residents and programs at Oak Hammock — but much slower to share my own story. I grew up hearing that “a lady doesn’t talk about her achievements,” and I’m working on rewriting that rule. Because we should celebrate what we’ve built — and who we’ve become along the way.

How long have you lived in the Gainesville/Alachua County area?

I was born and raised here in the Gainesville area, moved away for graduate school and a couple other adventures, and life brings me back home. 

What was your previous business experience?

I graduated from Chiropractic school in 2017 and have been in private practice in various settings since then, learning along the way.

What are the unique features of your business or services?

In the world of healthcare today, where visits can feel rushed, confusing and at times unproductive, know that although this is common with healthcare today, this is not normal. 

I strive to be a healthcare professional that prioritizes a client focused approach to make sure they feel understood, cared for, and empowered.

What changes have you made in the past year to your business, products, services, or the customers you target?

I have heard before that "private practice is an extension of yourself.". As life continues on, my personal and professional development directly impacts my service to clients, helping clients get the best outcomes under care. 

I take a special interest in women's and children's health and have taken additional training to support women's health during the many transitional periods we experience as women. 

What do you enjoy most about GAWN?

I was a first-time visitor when my name was drawn for the Speaker Spotlight, I took it as a sign that membership was for me! I enjoy the interaction, connection and support from fellow members.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in business?

Knowing your values and what is important to you - those will be your driving force when things do not go as planned. You are unique and so is your business, know that your path will not look like everyone else's - and that is a good thing!

Personal info you want to share, include other organizations or community involvement.

Got involved with thru hiking back in 2022 (which involves going on a trail that you carry all your gear on your back, traversing various terrains, and collecting and filtering your water as you go) and have since completed over 400 miles of trails! It is a great way to connect back to the land and test your survival skills. 

I am passionate about nature conservation and protection, children's health and quality healthcare for all. 

Halle Bensen, D.C. 352-316-0082 

Victoria Stevenson is a proud numbers aficionado through & through. She owns 4UBU Business Management Solutions, a strategic planning agency designed to help individuals & business thrive financially in their industry nationwide. While she spends most of her time working with non-profit organizations, & medical practitioners- she welcomes the variety of entrepreneurs who want to gain a numeric understanding to scale and grow their business! You can reach Victoria at 4U2BU2013@GMAIL.COM or 352-441-9923.

How long have you lived in the Gainesville/Alachua County area?

My husband & I relocated from Michigan to Florida in August 2019. It was a big adjustment, but I love being centrally located to the many things Florida has to offer, and plan to retire here.

Previous business experience?

What sets my business apart is my ability to connect with people and help them feel comfortable talking about the uncomfortable topic of money. Whether you have a little or a lot, money management skills are important-& that’s where I thrive. I began working at age 15 at the local ice cream shop and had my own bank accounts at age 16. I realized quickly the importance of maintaining accurate financial records and business organization. Employed 14 years as a Financial Analyst in health care, then led to a 19+ year career in sales, customer service, and a role as an international corporate trainer in the direct sales industry. Simply put-I love to people and have learned the best way to relate is to listen and then provide a solution to fit their business needs so they can stay in business!

What are the unique features of my business services? What impact has 4U2BU Business Management Solutions had on the women you help?

85% of all consumer purchases in the U.S. are made by women. We ware multiple hats, and having the proper tools in place to maintain financial balance is important. Sometimes, we stick our heads in the sand-hoping the money challenges we face will disappear. At 4U2BU, we apply a proper “A.C.E. approach” through Analysis, Collaboration, and Execution so you have more income to enjoy.

What changes have you made in the past year to your business services or the customers you target?

In addition to securing local office space to offer 1 on 1 client consultations, I also conduct monthly group workshops, to help clients expand their reach and establish a strong financial foundation for lasting growth.

What do you enjoy most about GAWN?

Everything! You get out of it-what you put into it, so choose to be all in and take the time to get to know the group. I’m glad I did and look forward to the days ahead!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in business?

Attitude determines altitude, and the best way to reach your goals is to always stay a student.

When in doubt-just keep going!