With nearly 40 years of experience in banking, Leina Mathis has a deep understanding of what small businesses need to start, grow and thrive.
In addition to her background in small business, consumer and mortgage lending, she supports her son’s small business and also served as a city council member for the City of Santa Clara, Utah. These experiences give her unique insights on how small businesses can work within city and state government processes and regulations.
Leina is a passionate advocate for women entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs own more than 40% of all businesses in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census. Despite this, it’s well documented that female business owners receive significantly less funding than male business owners, which is why Leina is drawn to helping women entrepreneurs achieve their full potential.
In this interview, she shares insights on how women entrepreneurs can embrace their unique strengths, avoid common mistakes and identify the right people to help them grow their businesses.
What do you like about working with women entrepreneurs?
“I enjoy working with entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, but there’s something special that women entrepreneurs bring to the table. Women entrepreneurs often prioritize ‘community over competition,’ which helps them network and build relationships with a wide range of people.”
“I relate well to women for this reason and have a strong desire to help them succeed. Not all women have someone in their corner, so it means a lot to me when I can be this person.”
“For example, I was approached by a bakery owner with her vision to expand to a second location. After helping her develop business goals and financial projections, we obtained financing and brought a homegrown, community-centered business to our market and created new jobs.”
What strengths do women entrepreneurs have?
“Studies have consistently shown that women entrepreneurs have unique strengths including high emotional intelligence, adaptability and a collaborative leadership style. I’ve noticed how these strengths often help women recognize an unmet need in their market — and they rise to meet the challenge.”
What are some common mistakes you see from women entrepreneurs?
“I’ve noticed that many women who start a business for the first time often underestimate the capital they need to launch their venture. Even great ideas will crumble without a solid financial foundation.”
“Additionally, compared to men, women often have limited access to traditional business networks. This can make it challenging to find vetted professionals to work with, such as an attorney or CPA.”
“Don’t hesitate to use your banker as a resource! In my role, I enjoy providing resources and connecting my clients to other professionals in my network who can help grow their business.”
How can women entrepreneurs shore up their weaknesses as they expand their ventures?
“As a small business owner, you ‘don’t know what you don’t know.’ To overcome potential knowledge gaps, it’s critical to strengthen your financial literacy and learn how to prepare your business for funding.”
“I’m proud that Zions Bank offers helpful resources for entrepreneurs through its Business Resource Center, which offers free one-on-one consulting, workshops, networking opportunities, and referrals.”
Any final tips for women entrepreneurs?
“It’s a competitive advantage when you can find the right banker to work with. Look for someone who offers proactive financial guidance, understands your operation and has strong community ties.”
“I also believe that many women entrepreneurs benefit from working with a female banker, which can make the banking experience more approachable and relational. Personal relationships matter a lot to me and I believe this is why I have loyal clients. One of my oldest clients has been banking with me for over 29 years!”
Want to work with a Zions Banker like Leina?
To learn more about how a banking relationship manager can help you achieve your financial goals, contact your local Zions Bank branch.
