Page 61 - BusinessWest September 28, 2020

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Kimberly Williams
Owner, Ja’Duke Inc.; Age 36; Education: Fitchburg University (BS)
Williams started Ja’Duke Center for the Performing Arts as a part- time dance studio when she was a junior in college. Hoping for 30
to 40 students at first to cover the rent of her basement space, she had 125 enroll the first year. The studio eventually moved to an 8,000-square-foot space, where almost 400 singing, acting, and dance students now perform in up top 10 shows per year — in a state-of- the-art theater completed last fall. These days, Williams oversees several different branches of the Ja’Duke business — Ja’Duke Center for the Performing Arts, Ja’Duke Preschool, Ja’Duke Theater, Ja’Duke Driving School, and Ja’Duke Backdrops.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I own Ja’Duke Inc. with my father, who is an incredible entrepreneur and businessman. For as long as I can remember, he has wanted to build a theater. This was something I never thought would be possible, but this past year, we took a risk and built a 540-seat theater. This was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. It is incredible to know we did something that very few people have done or will ever do, and we did it through so much hard work, dedication, persistence, and patience.
What goal do you set for yourself at the star of each day?
Be grateful! I have so many blessings, and I want to make sure I appreciate them every day over and over again.
What three words best describe you? Patient, energetic, crazy.
What are you passionate about? People!
What’s your favorite hangout or activity in Western Mass., and why? I love Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley. We take our kids there for ice cream and to see the animals. They love it, and the ice cream is delicious!
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Lenny Underwood
Owner, Underwood Photography and Upscale Socks; Age 36 Education: American International College (BA, MPA)
Underwood has owned Underwood Photography for 15 years and Upscale Socks for three years. Through his charity work
with Upscale Socks, 220 pairs of socks were donated to Springfield elementary schools, and 150 pairs were donated to Square One. He also established a $500 scholarship for a student at Springfield Central High School. Meanwhile, Underwood has received several awards, including the 2019 Game Changer Award from the Springfield Thunderbirds, the 2019 Changemaker Award from Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, and the 2017 100 Men of Color Award in Hartford, Conn. He is a deacon at St. John’s Congregational Church, a board member with Way Finders, and serves on the Brianna Fund for Children with Physical Disabilities steering committee and the Love Fusion Singles & Couples Conference planning committee.
What did you want to be when you
grew up? An attorney — until I worked in
the litigation department one summer at MassMutual as a 10th-grader. It was an eye- opening experience that made me rethink my life plans.
What three words best describe you?
Creative, motivated, focused.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Recently, I have been invited to guest speak in various spaces, judge competitions, offer consultation to aspiring small businesses, receive prestigious awards (like this one), and also compete and win on Wheel of Fortune with my friend in 2018.
What are you passionate about? Health and wellness. In addition to my businesses, I am also a certified personal trainer.
What do you do for fun? In my photography business, I have the priviliege to work at many fun events over the course of the week. There is usually great food, great people, and great music!
How do you relieve stress? Prayer and meditation, exercising, and, recently the sauna.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Probably Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He accomplished so much at such a young age, and he is still widely celebrated across the world.
Photo by Kortney Fernette at Sugarloaf Studios
How do you relieve stress? Every day, I work out at F45 Training in Hadley. This is an incredible de-stresser for me and allows me to do one thing for me each day. The workouts are planned, and they have trainers on site, so it is the one time each day someone else is telling me what to do.
What will your work colleagues say at your funeral? She never stopped until the day she died — but the one thing I do know is she loved me.