“If my experiences – successes and failures – can help other women achieve her dreams, then it was all worth it.”
HER PATH TO SUCCESS
The breakup of the Bell System in the mid-1980s disrupted the telecommunications industry. Competition erupted among telco suppliers trying to pick up the pieces and service the customers caught in the crossfire. That’s when Deborah Ward saw an opportunity to deliver something larger firms were overlooking – competitive pricing with exceptional, personalized service.
SELF-FUNDED
In 1988, she formed Televergence Solutions, a nationwide telecommunications carrier providing premium, inbound toll-free and outbound long-distance service for customers around the world. While the company has proven that it has staying power; early on, it was very difficult. The fractured telecommunications industry was plagued with new players, and Televergence was the only female-led firm in that space at that time. Today, that could be a competitive advantage. But then, it could mean disaster. “Competition was fierce,” says Deb. “And access to capital back then to grow the business was a major challenge, so I self-funded the company.” Deb remembers being turned down for a business loan even though she had good credit. “I had a lot to learn and wasn’t afraid to ask for help.” I surrounded myself with mentors, primarily men, as there weren’t programs available then like there are now to help women connect.”
ABOUT DEB
Deb, a California native, was raised in a small farming community in Camarillo County. She graduated from high school but didn’t feel that she was a good fit for college. So, Deb got her general contractor license and became a real estate investor, flipping over 1,000 properties in five years. By accident, she stumbled into the telecommunications industry and hasn’t turned back.
WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE
“Of all the things that have made a big impact on the growth opportunity of Televergence is our certification in 2017 as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through WBENC. That has been the changemaker. As a Tier 2 supplier, our certification gives us a seat at the table with major corporations in our industry. We bring value and diversity to their supply chains.”
Deb also credits her adherence to the Golden Rule with keeping her grounded in such a male-dominated industry. “Doing the right thing is the right thing to do. We have grown and retained our customer base by treating people like we’d like to be treated.” Along with a dedicated and experienced team, Deb feels good about the future of Televergence.
If she had to do it all over again, Deb says, “I’d bring in the right people sooner than later. I didn’t realize how important it was to surround yourself with the right cultural fit until late in the game.”
A TRAILBLAZER
Deb is proud to be a trailblazer in her industry and considers the upward climb worth the effort. She is a champion of women in business and tech, and that commitment is baked into the core values of Televergence. Deb was also the first Chairwoman of INCOMPAS (formerly known as Comptel), the industry’s leading competitive telecommunications trade organization.
EMPOWERING WOMEN
Deb’s commitment to empowering women goes beyond the telecom industry. She is the President Elect and Membership Co-Chair of NAWBO Nashville, a member of Women in Technology Tennessee (WiTT), and an Advisory Council Member of Women in the Channel, an online resource connecting women in technology with resources to grow and advance both personally and professionally. “If my experiences – successes and failures – can help other women achieve their dreams, then it was all worth it.”
But Deb isn’t just sharing her experiences. As a Gold level corporate partner for NAWBO Nashville, Televergence is helping to fund programming this year that will help women business owners in Nashville connect, learn, and grow in business. “It’s important to put your money where your mouth is,” Deb remarks.
In her spare time, Deb, a cowgirl at heart and an animal lover, can be found hosting guests on her 50-acre property, Twin Oaks Guest Ranch, in Wilson County, with husband, Dave, 21 horses, 5 dogs, 5 cats, 5 rabbits and a whole lot of Western charm.
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