Influential Woman Of The Year
2003!
Mona Sims - Woman of
Influence
By Kerry Assiniwe,
Influential Women of Northern
Ontario Web Site
Mona Sims knows that building corporate relationships and a solid business
reputation is not something that happens over night. In fact, being in
business in one of the fastest growing fields means maintaining a
competitive edge through quality customer service and leading-edge
products and services.
Sims, 45, is co-founder of
SimAlTech, a Sudbury-based Web development company, which was formed in
1997, and now the main proprietor of the business. The company offers Web
design services, project management, corporate training and consulting, as
well as sales, marketing and public relations services.
The business initially
began as a computer hardware supplier, but the Web site design component
was quickly added to SimAlTech's list of services and products.
On the corporate front,
Sims has designed and hosted Web site's for a number of local companies,
including Rezplast Manufacturing Ltd., and is highly regarded as a
professional in her field.
"Our Web site has never had
so many hits as in the last two years, and I attribute this directly to
Ms. Sims and her significant contributions to the development and
implementation of our Web maintenance," says Ron Scola, office manager at
Rezplast.
Out-of-town inquiries and
orders have increased significantly since Rezplast hired SimAlTech for its
Web component, says Scola.
Today, Sims' clients span
across Northern Ontario and abroad, in such places as Australia, Saudi
Arabia and in the United States.
Web design is a highly
competitive industry to be in, because there are so many people coming out
of school fully trained in Web development, looking to do the same type of
work, she says. As well, she says, there are still some stereotypical
attitudes to overcome.
"The computer industry is a
man's world still unfortunately, but not as bad as when I started. One
thing when I started out I was like a novelty...wow a chick on a computer.
Everywhere you went, people just didn't believe you could possibly know
what you were talking about..."You are a computer programmer...yah right,"
people would say."
SimAlTech has created and
hosts numerous Web sites, and employs five people.
She admits operating the
business comes with its share of challenges, but still maintains she is
passionate about it. And because it is her passion, she tends not to get
caught up in the stress of day-to-day operations, she says.
"I knew I wanted to do this
for a long time," Sims says. "I loved the concept of the Internet. I love
that exchange of ideas worldwide. I find it so exciting and something I
wanted in my life for a very long time. And I can't see me doing anything
else."
Nor can some of her clients
who have praised her work.
Claudio Clarini, president
of Ten Rainbows Foundation, a registered charity that helps less fortunate
children, stated in a letter of support for Sims' nomination that Sims has
helped the organization in many ways.
"She has saved our
organization thousands of dollars," Clarini said. "The money we have saved
has allowed us to assist several more children in our community."
But the journey to success
as a businesswoman has been long and arduous for Sims.
Her daughter was born 22
years ago with a disability, which doctors concluded would prevent her
from ever walking. But Sims' strength and determination to help her
daughter take her first steps proved the doctors' predictions wrong.
She committed each day to
assisting her daughter through daily therapy sessions. And while it meant
that Sims had limited opportunity to pursue a career outside of the home,
it ultimately led her to follow a path to become a successful
entrepreneur.
After growing up in
Espanola, Sims spent most of her adult life traveling across and living in
various parts of the United States and Canada, before settling in Sudbury
to raise her family.
In addition to dedicating
time into her business, she has over the years volunteered for many
initiatives and organizations.
On Sudbury Game and Fish
Protective Association Inc. she serves as secretary and a Web master.
Sims is proud of all of her
accomplishments and reminds everyone that they too can achieve success.
"Just find something you
love and just keep doing and doing and if you have to do it for free then
that's how you start and you'll get attention...and if you love it, you
will be good at it."
