Katie Sims: In the business of helping others

When the mothers of most children growing up during the 1950s and 1960s stayed home with careers focused on domestic tasks, Katie Sims recalled that she was learning about the real estate business from her mother who worked selling homes to other families. “When I go back to Minden they still call me ‘Little Katie Drew,’” Sims said of hometown folk that recall Realtor Katie Drew Carey and her energetic daughter.

Moving away to college, getting married, following job transfers, starting a wholesale beauty supply business of her own led Katie Sims across Louisiana and settled her in Houma by 1980, where 32-years later she dedicates her time to helping others establish careers and advocating for economic development.

“I always tried to mentor girls coming out of beauty school and give them business knowledge,” Sims said of how she started in employment consulting and job coaching.

“I sold my business in 2005 and [three years later] realized I was not any good at doing nothing. Then a job came open in 2008 dealing with a small business class,” the one-time workplace developer said.

In December 2010, Options for Independence, a non-profit service agency focused on assisting handicapped and displaced individuals to enter or return to the workforce, had an opportunity Sims said was ideal for her n helping those impacted by hurricanes and the BP oil spill of 2010 get back to work.

“Now I’m called an economic development director and entrepreneurial center director,” the former business owner said of her career that is aimed at helping others establish their own businesses.

Sims puts together projects, teaches the development of business plans and helps others get their careers up and running. As part of her work, Sims is presently teaching n with the assistance of language interpreters, state funding from the Louisiana Business and Career Solutions and a partnership with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority n a small business training class for 30 Vietnamese-speaking shrimpers and commercial fishermen that live and work in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Along with salaried work, Sims serves as a member of multiple business and civic organizations. When asked what she does with her spare time she replied with a laugh, “Second guessing, attitude adjusting and backseat driving. I don’t have any hobbies. Between the Rotary Club and TEDA I don’t need a social life.”

With regard to women in business, Sims said that she sat in a different seat than most people her age. “I grew up watching my mother work and learned from her,” she said. “I’ve always been in this frame of mind. I learned independence from her.”

NAME: Katie Sims

TITLE: Economic Development Director and eCenter Director

COMPANY: Options for Independence

ESTABLISHED: 1992

ADDRESS: 1340 W. Tunnel Blvd., Houma

TELEPHONE: (985) 868-2620

WEBSITE: www.optionsforindependence.com

AGE: 63

EDUCATION: Northeast Louisiana State University

FAMILY: Single

FIRST JOB: Real estate in her mother’s agency

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Not had it yet

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE SELF: Extravert

ADVICE TO OTHERS: Believe in yourself and love what you are doing

WOMAN IN BUSINESS YOU ADMIRE: Her mother, Katie Carey, for her integrity and independence.