When Leslee Ferguson Moore, BWC, left her home in Toronto to make her way in the United States, the first thing she did was join not one, but two, Chambers of Commerce.

“A Chamber of Commerce is a built-in team, designed to help you succeed,” says Leslee. “I’ve been in marketing for most of my career, and my first priority is always to join a Chamber of Commerce.”

The epitome of the entrepreneurial spirit, Leslee has always led with her strengths. She is personable with a capital “P,” with a quick sense of humor and a bright smile. She holds no formal degree, but tacks the letters “BWC” after her name to alert those in the know that she “believes with commitment” in everything she sets her mind to.

A tireless networker, Leslee augmented her involvement with local Chambers of Commerce by starting her own group that met weekly to offer encouragement to local business owners. Not one to be bound by labels, Leslee’s networking group had no formal name, and very few rules. Both Carl Lucchi, founder of TampaBayNetworkers, and Mark O’Donnell, founder of Revenue Generating Activities (RGA) network, were early members before their two networks took off.

Leslee is a proud supporter of a variety of local charities like Women With Purpose, Love Thy Neighbor, PARC, and CASA. “Each of these works on their missions from a platform of love and caring,” describes Leslee. “I will always do what I can to help people who need love and support.”

She has first-hand knowledge of just how important a circle of support is. A few years back, Leslee had her own health crisis. She developed five tumors, and her husband and girlfriends all went with her on the day of her biopsy. Touched by their concern but unwilling to add to their worry, Leslee came out of her biopsy, still lying on the gurney, regaling her support team with one joke after another.

While caring is one of her watchwords, Leslee is also a shrewd business leader and marketer. Before coming to the States, she was named Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada and traveled to college campuses to encourage students planning on business careers. After coming to the United States, she was in partnership with the inventor of a skin care device that was marketed on the Home Shopping Channel (now HSN) and served as the on-air spokesmodel for the product. A qualified paralegal, Leslee handles marketing for the law firm of Scott & Fenderson, PLLC, is the former marketer for Minuteman Press in St. Petersburg, and in early 2019 began working as the Health Advocate and marketing point person for the Early Detection Foundation, a charitable organization that offers DNA testing to identify cancer markers, evaluates drug interactions, and helps identify those at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and heart disease.

“I helped bring my clients to the Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce,” notes Leslee. “No matter what other networking they may be doing, a Chamber of Commerce is vital to getting a business known and involved in a community.”

Above all else, says Leslee, she strives to help her clients to make good decisions based on good information. “Always be supportive,” she adds. “Don’t criticize. We’re all doing our best, and that deserves to be recognized.”

As she points out, it’s all part of believing with commitment.