Cherokee Enterprises

The Florida’s Woman-Led Businesses is an annual survey of businesses throughout the state of Florida that recognize women in top executive positions. The survey responses offer valuable insights into women-led businesses, as well as trends and business issues currently faced by these women.

The survey was developed by the Center for Leadership at Florida International University’s College of Business in collaboration with The Commonwealth Institute South Florida, and administered by the Metropolitan Center at FIU.

In order to develop the most comprehensive access to women-led businesses, the research team used the affiliated contracts of the Center for Leadership, the Commonwealth Institute of South Florida, professional networks, previous survey respondents, and other purchased lists of top women executives in Florida.

Approximately 25,000 female executives in Florida received notification about the online survey. To qualify for this study, participants were required to currently hold the position of president, chief executive officer, chairwomen of the board, and/or primary owner of a profit or not-for-profit organization of Florida.

As one of the surveys featured leaders, Christine regards CEIs success by knowing clients’ facilities “at least as well as the clients themselves.” Christine also attributes the environmental engineering firm’s success to having a sustainable competitive advantage and operating in niche markets where they excel.

A total of 307 completed surveys fit the criteria of the study. Of those 307 surveys, 282 were for-profit organizations and 25 not-for-profits. Notably, this year’s survey resulted in the largest number of respondents in the Center of Leaderships longitudinal study thus far.

Read the full survey and featured article.