Gwen Wisler is Asheville Profits
Enhancing the Lives of Western North Carolinians
She gets excited about what happens when clients agree to her conditions. Here's why: Her clients don't pay her. They pay the community. For each hour that Ms. Wisler spends with them, the clients contribute three service hours to a community nonprofit. And that's how it goes. Her conviction is obvious, and her town benefits.
Early Life and Education of Gwen Wisler
"My mother would say that I was always bossy," Ms. Wisler revealed in a recent interview. "I was very outgoing as a child." In high school, she was very good in science and at one point wanted to be a dentist. "I would not have predicted this career path," she added.
Wisler graduated from Ohio State with a degree in accounting. She became a CPA and this would eventually lead her to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) positions in various companies throughout her successful business career. She has made a significant impact through leadership and financial savvy.
Gwen Wisler at Price Waterhouse, First Alert, and Coleman
Ms. Wisler was a Senior Audit Manager for Price Waterhouse for 13 years. Among other executive positions, she was instrumental in enabling First Alert to get products to market. In this sense, she has served as a troubleshooter over the years. She guides businesses in becoming more operational. “I’ll find myself saying, ‘This doesn’t fit; how do we sell it?’”
At First Alert, she noticed a pattern: “This was a highly technical product. The deadlines were not being made, and I saw no accountability.” Her role was to help them bring a product from conception to production, and determine where the problems were. “I helped them add accountability,” she said.
At Coleman, Wisler observed innovation problems. At the time, Coleman had only one vendor (China), and in this case the vendor was holding up production. “I went with a team to China, and we quickly drew parameters necessary to improve production.” In other words, she got it done.
Gwen Wisler and the Creation of Asheville Profits
After a profitable career, Wisler received a wake-up call while living outside Chicago. He mother died, and she and her husband decided to make a change. They moved to Asheville, N.C., with its panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When she created Asheville Profits, LLC, her desire was to share what she has learned and contribute to the world in a different way.
“I bring big company experience to small businesses, with the understanding that they give something back to their community. Western North Carolina businesses are smaller and not used to ‘big company’ ideas.” When asked how she best accomplishes this, she replied: “I ask a lot of questions for small business owners to encourage their thinking. Then I help them put a plan into action.”
Her website emphasizes that her services are local and specific, which ensures the immediate community benefits. The opening statement reads: “Asheville Profits helps businesses increase Profit – these businesses in turn profit Asheville.”
In a time of upheaval and uncertainty, Gwen Wisler is a catalyst and one likely answer to the question asked by so many: “Are things going to get better?”
Gwen Wisler, Woman of Conviction
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