Woman business owner of the year

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - An Easthampton Life and Executive Coach has been named the Pioneer Valley's Woman Business Owner of 2009.

On Thursday night the Women Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley honored Linda McDonald during their "Celebrating Women" awards banquet at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

McDonald tells 22News she's driven to work for herself. "I've always been an entrepreneur at heart, I like being my own boss, calling my own shots. I like doing things my way, and it gives me a lot of autonomy and a chance to be creative," explained McDonald.

Also honored was Westfield tax preparer Susan Kelley.

Kelley told 22News it takes courage to leave the security of a regular paycheck and benefits behind, but business ownership has a lot of its own benefits. "I love working for myself. I love having that one to one interaction. I don't miss the corporate world one little bit," said Kelley.

McDonald's advice: do the best you can and enjoy the ride.