Written by Jane Downey, Clarity Concepts
and Pam Hesler, Pam Hesler & Assoc. Photography
Sharon Lewis-Gregg - Greater Philadelphia Association Management Group
Some of us arrive as business owners because we have an idea and build a business around it. Others find our businesses while negotiating life’s twists and turns. Sharon Lewis-Gregg falls in the second group—to put it in her words, “Life happens, and then you pivot.”
Travel back in time, maybe 30 years ago--it’s late at night and you’re driving down a Center-City Philadelphia street. You’re stopped at a red light, look to your right and in a store window you see a young woman dressing mannequins. That young woman could have been Sharon.
At that time Sharon was following a path begun in high school where she studied Commercial Art, moving on to receive a degree in Commercial Art and Retail Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her first job as a window displayer for Windsor Shirt Company and Eagle’s Eye company stores was a natural fit and she loved it.
Sharon continued her studies at the Community College of Philadelphia, transferring to Drexel University’s program in Communications where she received a diploma with a concentration in Speech. There was a time when she thought of being a radio announcer or DJ. Her voice had already brought her success of a different kind; during high school and after, she sang in a gospel choir whose members were recording artists and toured the east coast.
After Sharon’s first child was born, she wanted a better fit with family life, so she landed a job as an Information Technology Coordinator at the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council of HAP -- a statewide membership services organization in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This was the start of Sharon’s professional life in the membership association world. She gained experience over the next twenty-years working in the industry–not thinking she would someday be the owner of an AMC (Association Management Company.)
Sharon founded her company, the Greater Philadelphia Association Management Group (GPAMG), in April 2012 when the company she was working for, an AMC, closed due to its owner’s retirement. GPAMG is a for-profit business that does just what its name suggests: manages associations to help them grow and prosper. Professional societies, trade groups, not-for-profits and philanthropic organizations count on GPAMG’s expertise, staffing and resources to effectively manage day-today operations and advance long-term goals such as increasing associations’ value and relevance to members.
GPAMG generally works with its clients in one of two ways: providing full service, delivering turnkey management for all operating disciplines (such as membership, marketing, meetings, financial administration, policy development, etc.) and all daily operations (including staffing, office space, equipment, contracts, technologies, member services, etc.) or, providing an ala carte approach to meeting an association’s specific needs on an outsourced basis through GPAMG’s range of professional services.
Sharon identifies membership development and succession planning as the two most vital keys to maintaining the health and future of an Association. Her own specialty is membership growth and retention. Working with association volunteers is a central part of Sharon’s job. She believes successful membership organizations support their volunteers, pointing out, “if you are no longer enjoying being a volunteer, you are no longer a volunteer!”
Sharon shared the emerging trend AMC’s are addressing: “How to attract millennials by creating “out of the box” events and programs.” Millennials’ lives are different from earlier generations’ in that they switch jobs, and even careers, much more quickly. That seems to be reducing the likelihood of their joining organizations and/or remaining a member. The risk this phenomenon poses is an “aging out” of an organization. What Millennials want is to leverage their network, career path and professional growth. Their expectation is to receive information in a more “on demand” platform. Sharon advises, to address this, associations must be on social media and utilizing internet platforms to communicate with current and future members.
With NAWBO, Sharon’s role flips from provider of services to a very active member and volunteer. Since joining about five years ago, she has served the Greater Philadelphia Chapter as Governance Chair, treasurer and Finance Chair, co-hosted Power Friday on the Main Line, and currently is Programs Chair. Last fall Sharon travelled to NAWBO’s national Women’s Business Conference in Jacksonville FL, along with 14 other Philadelphia Chapter members. In her view, “NAWBO is truly a sisterhood of women business owners. We support and uplift each other. My business has also grown through the friendships and connections made”.
The Greater Philadelphia area has been home for Sharon nearly all her life, born and raised in the Wynnefield Section of West Philadelphia, now with offices and her current home in the suburbs. Sharon likes to spend her free time traveling, enjoying warm weather and white sand. Quality time with her husband of 20 years includes long rides on his motorcycle. Sharon reveals their change in perspective, gained over time; “During our younger years when we wanted everything fast, my husband rode a crouch rocker - Honda CBR 1000 and we would enjoy the fast lane. Our dream ride now is on a Harley Davidson Electra Glide so we can hit the roads in style and comfort.” Her most treasured gift is “raising four wonderful children.”
Sharon absolutely loves being a business owner. “My love to be creative, my ability to communicate and build relationships, my need for organization and structure—all of life’s experiences have led me to where I am today.” That, she says, along with a strong faith, have “allowed me to be limitless!” And what Sharon Lewis-Gregg wants for all of us to know is, “You are Limitless!”