From left to right, Tobi Fairley, Janet Jones and Elise Mitchell

Last night, Arkansas Business (sister media outlet to InArkansas.com) held its annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards. I always leave this event completely impressed with the business talent and drive that we have in this state. Last night, was no exception to that.

I was thrilled to have several clients and friends represented in the finalist line-up, as well as having client and all-around great guy Joe Stanley, CEO of Polk Stanley Wilcox, named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year. A very deserving honor!

But this year, I also came away with the feeling that this state is blessed with some amazing women leaders. Tobi Fairley, an award-winning interior designer in Little Rock, was one of the finalists for Business of the Year. Tobi, like me, is a 30-something business owner juggling life with a 4-year-old. She is a smart, talented designer with a keen sense of business who is making waves in her industry.

This year has been one to remember for Tobi. She launched her blog in September 2008, and it has become one of the most talked-about design blogs of the past year. Traditional Home Magazine named her one of the Top 20 Young Designers in America for 2009, and she recently won seven Gold Awards from the American Society of Interior Designers.

I think that young business owners such as Tobi and I can really learn from those who have come before us, breaking glass ceilings wherever they go. Women "powerhouses" such as Elise Mitchell, president of Mitchell Communications Group, Janet Jones, president of the Janet Jones Company, and Olivia Farrell, president and founder of Arkansas Business Publishing Group, are just some of the women we can aspire to.

Elise Mitchell is definitely one of those women I want to be like "when I grow up." She has built one of the most well respected PR boutique agencies in the nation from the days when she was a young mom working part time and using freelancers to help service her clients. Today, her company (also a past finalist for Arkansas Business of the Year) works for giants Wal-Mart and Tyson, among others …. Just this past month, the firm was named a finalist for PRWeek’s 2010 Boutique Agency of the Year, an amazing honor!

Many of you have also probably heard the name Janet Jones. Janet, a former schoolteacher, started selling homes in Little Rock in the ‘70s. She opened her own real estate company in 1980 and has since grown The Janet Jones Co. to be one of the most successful agencies in the state. You can’t drive in any neighborhood in central Arkansas without seeing a Janet Jones sign!

Janet is also an Arkansas Business of the Year “alum” – she was named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year in 1998, the same year that she became the first woman in the 131-year history of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce to become chairman. Over the years, she’s held various other leadership positions, including chairman of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. Tomorrow evening, Janet will be honored at the Governor’s Mansion with the Sandra Wilson Cherry Award, given by the Gaines House in recognition of women who serve as role models for others.

Women such as Tobi, Elise and Janet serve as outstanding mentors and role models for all of us who are juggling careers, family and life in general. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, take a look at Arkansas Business’ “25 Women Leaders” list here. All of the women listed have made their mark on our state in their own right.

Be sure to take the time and comment below on women who inspire you to be your best!

And congrats, again, to all the finalists and winners of this year’s Arkansas Business of the Year Awards!

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See videos of each of the winners of last night's Arkansas Business of the Year Awards