Arkansas Women’s Business Center Staff

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Arkansas AWBC Services Newsletter Subscribe

Chauncey Holloman Pettis is the director of the Arkansas Women’s Business Center, which inspires women-owned startups to chase their dreams of entrepreneurship. She is the CEO of Harlem Lyrics — an integrated line of greeting cards, school supplies and apparel that she started at the age of 15. Her products have been sold in Kroger, Walgreens, Macy’s and many other retail establishments. Pettis has more than 10 years of experience in the world of entrepreneurship and small business, including participation in a number of boards and committees including the Arts + History Selection Committee for the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, the Think Big Economic Development Committee, and the Integration of Central High’s 60th Anniversary Committee. Pettis also travels to colleges, conferences and seminars, sharing her story and motivating other budding entrepreneurs to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2012, Chauncey began working with the City of Little Rock where she facilitated the redevelopment of the Small Business Development Office and oversaw an entrepreneurial training course. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and has completed the Minority Business Executive Program at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

Shay Kaldem is the Marketing Coordinator for the Arkansas Women’s Business Center. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Center, marketing and communication efforts for the AWBC, and organizing events, trainings, and fundraising efforts for the Center such as Mistletoe Market, Spring Market, and Society of 75. Shay graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Marketing.