Winning Ideas from Winning Women
with Brigitte Gann

Ever since grade school, Brigitte Gann has been a natural leader. By the time she was twelve, she was balancing jobs as both a babysitter and a scorekeeper at the local bowling alley. Even then, she had a knack for numbers. So, it’s no surprise that she is now a CPA and partner in Craven, Shelton, & Gann, P.A.

After high school, Brigitte didn’t go directly to college, but instead entered the working world. She soon found herself as a bank teller, and after thirteen years in the industry she was named vice president in charge of Loan Accounting. Along with the responsibility of a full-time job, Brigitte also decided to start her college career. “I walked in that door knowing that when I walked out I would be on the path to working for myself and having greater control over my own destiny.” And get on that path is exactly what she did.

Brigitte Gann

In 1989, Brigitte ended her banking career and went to work with Ann Craven and Sandy Shelton, with the understanding that once she earned her CPA and completed her apprenticeship, she would become a partner in their firm. In January of 1996, she became a partner and found herself in the leadership role that she had spent her entire life working toward—a business owner.

Since then, Brigitte and her partners have experienced incredible success. In 2002 they received the Dale Carnegie Sales Training Sales Talk Champion Award and were named Member of the Year for Greensboro Incentives Network, a professional woman’s networking group that sponsors and mentors local female college seniors.

In 2003, Brigitte’s firm received the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Award. Brigitte recalls this as one of her most exciting business experiences. Yet, she also admits, “It was also pretty exciting to see my name on the company letterhead when I became a partner! My dream of being a business owner had finally come true.”

In a high-stress job requiring seventy-hour work weeks during the peak accounting season, it’s important for Brigitte to have a strong support system. And she names her husband, Jay, as her biggest supporter, claiming he is the reason she is a CPA today. Also a committed mother to her seven-year-old son, Brigitte hopes he will grow up understanding loyalty, dedication, and the importance of community involvement. Brigitte certainly has been an example of this in her business life, investing time in the Women’s Resource Center in Greensboro, where she serves on the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, and the Executive Committee. She is also the past president of the Professional Women’s Network, and the past treasurer for both the Greensboro Area Incentives Network and the Triad Council of Professional Women.

To become the great leader and successful business owner she is today, Brigitte credits four role models. The first was her first grade teacher, Mrs. Hester, who she remembers helping her believe that she could do anything she set her mind to. Her second was the character Melanie in Gone with the Wind, because of her selflessness and willingness to look for the good in people. The third was Shirley Davis, with whom she worked at the bank. “Shirley Davis is a beautiful Christian woman who was always there to help me and encourage me. She is the type of person who celebrates the victories of others.” Brigitte admires her for her bold religious faith and high morals and integrity. Last, but certainly not least, her fourth role model was Janice Ore, who gave Brigitte her job as a bank teller. She admired Janice’s nonsensical approach to work and life, especially in the days when Brigitte was young and undecided about where she was headed. Janice died of breast cancer just a few years ago, but Brigitte will never forget the friend and mentor who taught her so much.

Because of her admirable mentors and role models, Brigitte’s advice to future women business owners is to seek out other women to mentor and support you.

“If you just reach out, you’ll be amazed at what you receive in return.”

She also advises that if you are serious about starting a business, you should start by creating a business plan and performing market research, while setting definite goals and envisioning where you want to be. Her message to women is “Never let fear stop you. Listen to your inner voice and allow your instincts to guide you.”