Every March, we honor women’s achievements, resilience and innovation as we observe Women’s History Month.

As a crucial part of that, women-owned small businesses are a vibrant and vital force driving economic growth and diversity in the community.

Illustrating the diversity of Huntsville’s economy, women are the engine that drive many of our defense, medical, service, retail, and education sectors.

The powerful impact women-owned small businesses have in supporting our local economy and in driving important goals such as diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility cannot be measured.

As a celebration of women in business, four Huntsville women who are among the leaders in their industries reveal their challenges, successes, mentors and advice on their career paths.

Laurel Bailey, COO of Industrial Properties of the South

Why did you choose commercial real estate, a male-dominated field?
I was working in public accounting in Birmingham and the opportunity arose for me to move home to Huntsville and work at our family business. I was able to use my accounting knowledge and learn the business quickly. Over the years, I have carved out a niche for myself in the industry in Huntsville.
Who was your mentor?
Since I work at our family’s business, I would say my parents have been my mentors in many ways. They taught me a lot about commercial real estate and the business world in general. I have also leaned on other women in my industry for knowledge and encouragement.
What is your biggest challenge? Biggest success?
My biggest challenge has been balancing work and being a mom. There were many days of being pulled in two directions, but now that my children are older, I am focusing more on the business. My biggest successes have been developing multimillion-dollar properties, growing our business and helping my employees succeed.
Do you have advice for women and girls looking at a business career?
My advice would be to learn as much as you can about business in a broad way. I didn’t start out to work in accounting but, after 9/11 happened, I had to pivot and learn more about accounting to get the jobs that were available at that time. Because I was willing to learn and be flexible, more doors opened to me during a really tough time in the job market. I would also encourage women or girls to work on finding other strong women to lean on. There will be tough times, and having a support system of other women has been critical for my success and happiness.

Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State Community & Technical College

What advice do you have for women/girls who are seeking leadership positions?
Finding your leadership style and personal approach requires being in touch with your head and your heart and shaping your interactions so they work for you and become effortless. This allows you to prioritize work and the relationships that support that work.

It is important to be prepared when you start this journey by being told directly by a friend or mentor that there won’t always be people who like you or encourage you. If you trust in yourself and lead with your heart, you can map a course and find your way.

Of course, leading with your heart doesn’t mean abandoning your intellect. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. When you lead authentically from the heart, you create the space to use your head, your intellect, to be truly successful. Your emotional intelligence and genuine care for the work and the people you serve lays the foundation for your strategic thinking and expertise to flourish.
This is where real impact happens, when your passion and your heart and your intellect intersect.
Do you have a mentor/inspiration for your career path?
One of the people who has inspired me the most and whom I recently connected with was my high school English teacher, Mrs. Cooper. She is everything I ever wanted to be: poised, professional, beautiful, and graceful.

I had not seen her since I left high school, but I recently had a class reunion, and she was a speaker. The impact that she has had on my life has been immeasurable. She was inspirational and encouraged me to pursue college and to understand that there was life beyond my small town of Canton, Miss. I have looked up to her for a long time, and it was wonderful to reconnect with her and be reminded of where I come from.
What was your career goal (what did you want to be when you grew up)?
Growing up, I wanted to be a scientist, and as a STEM-minded individual, it was always my goal to understand how the world works through the scientific approach. But it was in a biology lab supporting students at Alabama A&M that I came to realize I loved to teach, to inform, and to share. That was the start of my journey as an educator, and the beginning of knowing myself and my purpose, my vocation more deeply.

From there, I pursued a certification in teaching and was fortunate to serve Huntsville City Schools, teaching science to middle school students. Over the years, as I have grown in my profession, I’ve held different positions in the education field to understand the broadening importance of policy and impact, and to collaborate with partners and leaders from other sectors to improve education for the good of our community. However, I always come back to my own background, making science exciting and interesting for students. That’s the fun part!
I think teaching is a vocation, a true calling that some of us hear and feel when we listen closely to what God is whispering. That’s where it started for me.
4. What is/was your greatest challenge/success? How did you meet/overcome the challenge?
One of our primary challenges is ensuring we’re prepared to meet the tremendous growth in North Alabama and the demand for trained professionals in our region. As a small institution experiencing rapid local development, we must work diligently on several fronts.

First, we need to ensure our faculty remain current in their fields so that what we’re teaching students stays relevant to evolving industry needs. Second, we must provide excellent training that prepares our students to support both new employers coming into the area and existing small and large businesses.
These goals present significant challenges, particularly financial ones. Technology is changing rapidly, and for state-supported institutions, keeping pace is costly. Yet our community expects excellence, and rightfully so. To deliver the skilled, trained employees our industry demands, we must find new and creative ways to partner with business and industry supporters. Through collaboration, we can meet their needs while making a meaningful contribution to our community.

Dr. Sonya Wintzell, dentist and owner of Dental Professionals on Whitesburg

What prompted you to go into the medical field, in general, or dentistry in particular?
Of all things, a personality test! I was in college and my chemistry advisor was concerned that I had no exact plan on what to do with my chemistry degree. He suggested I take a career/personality aptitude test. Dentistry came up as an ideal choice and was something I had never considered. I worked that summer as an intern at a dental office and immediately knew it was something I wanted to do. I was immediately drawn to the attention to detail and the pure artistry involved with creating beautiful smiles.
Who was your mentor/greatest influence?
My parents have been my greatest influence. They never treated being a woman as a limitation – in their eyes a willingness to work hard and lead defined my opportunities. To this day this shapes my career and the way I show up for my team and my patients. I try to give 100% to them every day because that is what they deserve.
What was/is your biggest challenge and success?
Let’s start with success because I am a glass-half-full person. I take pride in the mastery I have developed in cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and facial esthetics by learning from some of the greatest clinicians in the field of dentistry. But just as important to me is the trust I have received from my patients and the empathy they experience from not just me but my entire team. It truly is a part of our team culture.
Creating this culture where people feel valued, supported, and proud of their work is something I consider a true measure of success.
What advice do you have for a woman or girl to go into medicine/dentistry?
Walk into every room knowing you belong there even when you do not feel like it. Commit to mastery with the skills that you love and are drawn to. Remember behind every smile is an actual human being with feelings, concerns, and worries. When you pair empathy with skill you will shape not only your patients but your team.

Angela Panzica, owner of Dyestone Hospitality Group

Why did you choose to open Stella’s Elixir Lounge and The Blind Tiger?
When I moved to Huntsville in 2018, I saw a growing city with incredible momentum, but a gap in elevated, curated nightlife experiences. In 2020, I saw the opportunity to build a space that felt intentional, with beautiful design, thoughtful cocktails, great music, and an atmosphere that made people feel like they were somewhere special the moment they walked in.
Three years later, The Blind Tiger grew from that same vision, but with a focus on private events. I wanted to create a venue that offered concierge-level service and the kind of attention to detail you would expect in a major city.

Both concepts were built to bring more culture, more experience, and more opportunity to Huntsville.
Who was your mentor/inspiration?
My mother built a meaningful and successful career as a nurse, and her work ethic is unmatched. She carried herself with professionalism and discipline, earning deep respect in a demanding field. Her commitment to excellence shaped the way I built my career. She taught me that integrity matters, consistency builds credibility, and developing skills can truly give you power. That foundation allowed me to build brands with purpose and hold a high standard in everything I do.
What was/is your greatest challenge/success in business?
The greatest challenge has been building two businesses in an industry that is constantly evolving. In just the last five years, costs, competition, and consumer habits have shifted significantly. Hospitality demands creativity and resilience every single day. There is no autopilot.

My greatest success has been proving there is room in Huntsville for something elevated and experience driven. I am proud that Stella’s and The Blind Tiger have become destinations, not just venues. They are places where people celebrate, network, fall in love, make memories, and feel part of something larger. It has become a brand people genuinely connect with. On a more personal level, it is especially rewarding to create jobs and provide opportunities for people to grow. Seeing our team take pride in what we have built together has been one of the most meaningful successes of all.
Do you have any advice for women or girls in a business career search?
Don’t wait until you feel ready. You are allowed to apply for the job, pitch the idea, and step into the room even while you are still learning. Confidence is often built after you start, not before.Build your network early, and do not be afraid to ask questions. The right people will not be threatened by your ambition. They will respect it. Get comfortable being underestimated and use it as a strategic advantage. Take up space, especially in industries where women are not always represented.