Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ChsWomenInRE.com WIB - 9 mother, whom she credits with being there for all three of her children, especially when she traveled so much in her earlier business career. Evette explained, “My free time has always revolved around my children — watching movies together, taking family vacations, attending their sporting events. … If I want to take up something new for myself, like learning the piano or anything like that, there will be time for that later in life. But right now, free time is family time.” Evette has received many prestigious awards in the world of business, among them the ATHENA® Leadership Award, honoring individuals who help women to reach their leadership potential. She has also been the recipient of the Women Presidents’ Organization/American Express 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies Award, and, in 2015, she was ranked No. 3 on the Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs in America — known as the Impact 50 — by Inc. Magazine . Three years ago, she was Business Black Box Award’s Entrepreneur of the Year. And last year, she was a finalist as Entrepreneur of the Year Southeast. Her company, QBS, has also received numerous awards, such as being listed for the past two years as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/ Led Companies. It’s also been the winner of the SC Excellence in Business Award and was named as one of the Best Places to Work in SC for the past four years. It was recognized by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce with its Small Business Award, and, for five consecutive years, it has been a winner of the Roaring Twenties Award, which honors the fastest- growing companies in South Carolina. From 2015- 2017, QBS was a Grant Thornton SC 100 winner, recognizing the accomplishments of South Carolina’s privately held companies which are ranked by revenue in the previous year. Evette believes society needs businesses to thrive, and it’s necessary to create an atmosphere where that can happen. “Business leaders need to feel comfortable with public policy. Having political leaders that have business experience enables them to know we feel their pain. For the last 19 years, my professional life has been in helping business growth. And that’s why the governor chose me.” feature J. GrahamSturgis, Jr. Attorney at Law Family Law Separation | Divorce | Custody | Support Family LawMediation Personal Injury Equine Law 47 State Street Charleston, SC 843-937-0800 graham@sturgislaw.com • www.sturgislaw.com 3850 BESSEMER ROAD MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466 843.972.4402 Professionals like you recognize the value of professional advice. w w w . c o n v e r g e n t f g . c o m