Angela Neal-Barnett
About this Executive:
Name:
Angela Neal-Barnett
Company:
Rise Sally Rise, Inc.
Interview Topics:
Psychology
Region:
Region 9 - Northeast Ohio
Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett is an associate professor at Kent State University and founder and CEO of Rise Sally Rise, Inc. in Tallmadge, Ohio. She named the company Rise Sally Rise after a game played by African-American girls in the schoolyard when she was growing up. In the game, a little girl cries as she sits confined in a saucer before friends encourage her to rise and “dry her weeping eyes.” According to Angela, Rise Sally Rise helps women of color break free of anxiety and fear to become the people they were meant to be fulfilling their leadership potential. Rather than simply researching and writing about women’s anxieties and fears, the company puts Angela’s findings into action to assist women.
Angela continues to teach classes at Kent State University, where she landed in 1989 after earning her Ph.D. in psychology from DePaul University. She developed a workshop and CD with her students called Believe and Succeed that helps students of color apply for and get into graduate school. She’s also won numerous awards for her teaching, research and commitment to women of color, most recently the 2007 Women’s Network Founder’s Award for the Economic Development of Women. Raised in Ohio, Angela volunteers for her church, her daughter’s elementary school and for Tallmadge Youth Football, where her daughter is a cheerleader.
Angela shared with me how positive work:life balance has enabled her to succeed professionally and personally in Ohio.
Q: Your business is committed to helping women live to their fullest potential. What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: The goal of Rise Sally Rise is to help women rise to their potential in the workplace, in their communities and in their vision of themselves. Therefore, surrounding myself with people who have achieved a positive work:life balance – and are committed to retaining a positive work:life balance and encouraging others to do the same – is essential to success as a company and as individuals.
Q: I also believe that work:life balance is critical to living a fulfilling life. The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, both professionally and personally, how authentic is the promise?
A: The Ohio promise is authentic. I am Ohio-born and bred. I attended Hubbard City Schools and received my undergraduate degree from Mount Union College. After spending ten years living out of state in large cities, I returned to Ohio. Living in the state has allowed me to pursue my professional goals and not sacrifice my personal ones. Everyday I am blessed to do what I love and be valued for it. Even though I own and operate my own business, I even make time to volunteer at my church and daughter’s school. The balance is there, but it takes discipline.
In addition, the Ohio networks and connections have allowed me to grow my business. Ohio offers wonderful places to raise a family, alongside people with values and integrity. I live within 45 minutes of two major cities, so my family has access to a variety of cultural events and opportunities. We are sports fans and between the Kent State Golden Flashes, the Mount Union Purple Raiders and the Cleveland Cavaliers, we get our sports fix.
Q: As an academic professional, do you believe the quality of an academic system is an important consideration in selecting a location for capital investment?
A: In addition to being a business owner, I am a tenured member of the faculty at Kent State University. As someone who teaches in the University System of Ohio, I am constantly amazed at all that Ohio’s universities have to offer. Ohio has some of the best professors in the country teaching both undergraduate and graduate students at our institutions. In addition, the opportunity to study abroad is first-class as well as the internship programs and service-learning opportunities. I urge everyone to take a closer look at Ohio’s public colleges and value the opportunity and experience they offer both traditional and adult students. Also, closely examine the type of professionals Ohio’s colleges and universities produce – they are quite extraordinary!
Q: If you had 30 seconds, what would you share about Ohio’s unique benefits that have helped make your business successful?
A: First, as a business owner, I appreciate Ohio’s affordable cost of living and cost of doing business. Second, Ohio is home to a network of women entrepreneurs who are dedicated to women’s business success. Finally, Ohio has a number of organizations, such as JumpStart Inc. and Coalition of African American Businesses, committed to providing resources and support to small business owners.