Page 15 - LRCC March 2024 FOCUS

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“My goal is to cultivate a culture where all employees and Haslett in 2016 when the realities of her professional
team members feel valued, respected, and empowered life and personal life met at a crossroads. As a newly
to contribute their unique perspectives,” she said. single mom, she needed to shuttle her child between
school and sports while continuing her work as both an
Noll-Williams said she encourages diversity, equity, and esthetician and a counselor.
inclusion in the workplace to foster innovation, creativity,
and overall organizational success. “I’ve always followed my own path in
a way,” Mahabir-Kohlsmith said. “It’s
Each year, the Capital Region International Airport been an intentional entrepreneurship
welcomes nearly half a million visitors and drives $1 billion that’s family-oriented.”
in economic impact for the mid-Michigan region.
Her private practice offers in-house
Noll-Williams said she reached the top spot by starting natural skincare and telehealth and
in entry-level positions, then seizing every opportunity in-person counseling sessions. Her
to learn more about airline operations, sales, marketing, tagline is “confidence, inside and out.”
and management. Mahabir-Kohlsmith
Mahabir-Kohlsmith’s interest in
“It’s important to embrace challenges as a natural part of skincare began in her teens, and she became a licensed
the journey and use it as an opportunity to learn, adapt, esthetician by age 20. One-on-one work with clients
and grow,” she said. sparked an interest in counseling, so she continued her
education to become a licensed professional counselor.
Despite the demanding nature of her job, Noll-Williams Mahabir-Kohlsmith said she grew her business slowly
said her family helps her maintain an enriching work-life through networking and with the advice of mentors.
balance.
“You have a right to dream and achieve your goals,” she
“Spending time with them rejuvenates me and gives me tells others considering entrepreneurship. “And network.
the necessary support to excel in my professional goals,” You just never know. There are too many people out
she said. there who have gifts, and it’s reciprocal; you can lift each
other up.”
Noll-Williams said it’s essential that women define
success on their own terms and pursue goals that align She’s found kinship in the Lansing Chamber, the Meridian
with their values and passions. Area Business Association, and the National Association
of Career Women. She’s grateful for the other professional
“My advice to both women and men aspiring to achieve women who’ve motivated her along the way.
success is to recognize that success is a deeply personal
journey and may vary greatly from person to person,” “You have this support from them and it’s amazing,” she
she said. said. “It touches your life.”

HEALTHY AMBITION SUPPORT FUTURE LEADERS

Gita Mahabir-Kohlsmith opened Mahabir Wellness in Margaret Dimond, regional president of University of

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