Unique monthly event combines area successful women with opportunity to shop and network
RALEIGH, NC – September 20, 2010 – Donna Preiss, Founder and CEO of The Preiss Company, recently served as the keynote speaker for the Triangle Ladies Power Lunch. The two-hour event, held on August 18th at the Sheraton Imperial in Raleigh, provided Preiss the opportunity to share her personal story with luncheon attendees.
The Triangle Power Lunch is dedicated to showcasing successful women in the triangle. Each month, the event’s keynote speaker is a woman from the Triangle area who has blazed her own trail and found great success along the way. To add to this unique event, there is also an hour of shopping and networking for all attendees prior to the start of lunch. Preiss said that she was honored to speak at the Power Lunch and said that it was a treat to be able to share her personal story with the audience.
“When I get asked to present at industry conferences or professional events, I don’t really get the chance to talk about myself or my extraordinary family,” says Preiss. “The presentations I give are often focused on The Preiss Company and our business philosophy. To be able to share my personal story with so many successful and talented women was a wonderful experience. I’m grateful for the Triangle Ladies Power Lunch for giving me this opportunity.”
During her keynote presentation, Preiss said that while she was growing up, her family always owned rental property, and the idea of people paying you enough money each month to make your own mortgage payments while giving you a profit always intrigued her. She said from that point on, she knew she wanted to be a landlord.
The Preiss Company entered the student housing marketing in the late 90s and has since become one of the nation’s largest providers of off-campus student housing, employing over 250 team members in seven states—Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, and Texas. Preiss says that student housing is “interesting and like a parachute jump”. “You have to get it right the first time,” says Preiss. “You have a narrow window to set rents and to lease up. If you fail to be full by the beginning of the school year, you are doomed to be empty all year.”
Preiss adds that The Preiss Company is quickly closing in on being one of the top 10 student housing providers in the country and anticipates about 40% growth in the company this year. She said that her professional life is driven by two basic philosophies: work hard to have a purpose in your life and share it with people that you want to be with.
“It’s important to have goals and to work and practice hard to achieve them,” says Preiss. “It’s been said that ‘champions don’t become champions in the ring – they are merely recognized there.’ I truly believe that and try to instill this attitude in everything I do and everyone I meet. It’s important to care about the people you work with, to love what you do, and above all, engage your heart.”
About The Preiss Company
Founded in 1987 by Donna Preiss, The Preiss Company employs over 250 team members and is one of the largest providers of off-campus student housing in the United States. TPCO is the leader in the development of new technologies, tools, and strategies for the student housing industry and also acts as a receiver for several national banks. In its 23rd year, the company has formed over 50 partnerships and developed over 20 projects stretching from Maryland to Texas. For more information, visit www.tpco.com.
About Triangle Ladies Power Lunch
The Triangle Power Lunch was born out of a desire to bring together successful women on the Triangle for a time of good food, great contacts, and the generation of business leads. As its tag lines states, the luncheon is dedicated to “showcasing successful women in the Triangle.” Carrie Peele, president of Blue Diamond Limousine and founder of the Triangle Power Lunch, was inspired by one of her friends, Kristina Bouweiri, of Sterling, VA. With a successful luncheon under way in Sterling, Carrie wanted to bring the concept to the women of the Triangle. She spoke with Kristina, did her research, and decided that the women leaders of our area needed this luncheon. So, she made it happen.
Carrie and her staff take their mission seriously – to provide a unique experience for their attendees through quality vendors and exceptional speakers. Working together to assist the busy executive, the Triangle Power Lunch strives to re-write the history of successful women! For more information or a list of upcoming speakers, visit www.ladiespowerlunch.com.