Women Business Owners

lasting legacy

NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame

about the client

The North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame was founded in 2018 by Wendy Coulter, CEO of Hummingbird Creative Group, to recognize and honor exceptional women entrepreneurs, and those who have made a lasting impact on women-owned businesses across North Carolina. Through thoughtful selection and annual celebration, this initiative not only pays tribute to the achievements of trailblazing women but also serves as a source of inspiration for future generations of women leaders.

chirps from the client

"Hummingbird has been a game-changer for us, helping to make our small communications department more efficient, more productive, and creatively rejuvenated. Beyond helping us meet our daily, internal demands, they have also helped us completely update our branding, giving it new life. We’ve received so much positive feedback on our updated branding at conferences, through our website, and our email messaging. They have a keen ability to draw out the purpose and core of a design request, and then produce something that beautifully and creatively meets the need. They’ve helped make our department run faster and smoother while being so much fun to work with."

Stephany L. Pritchard, Communications and New Media Manager
Women Business Owners
2025 Platinum Winner: Event Design - Hermes Awards
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Awards

2015 Silver Award: Corporate Brand Identity

Davey Awards Logo

Awards

2015 Silver Award: Corporate Brand Identity

Davey Awards Logo

Awards

2015 Silver Award: Corporate Brand Identity

Davey Awards Logo

Awards

2015 Silver Award: Corporate Brand Identity

View All Awards
Women Business Owners
Women Business Owners

challenge

North Carolina has a long and proud history of female entrepreneurship, but for many years, there was no platform that truly honored and preserved the legacy of these leaders. Wendy saw a need to celebrate their accomplishments and also to establish a growing network of advocates, mentors, and changemakers who would uplift and empower others. The challenge was to create a lasting institution that felt timeless, inclusive, prestigious, and deeply rooted in North Carolina’s business community.

strategy

Hummingbird Creative Group developed the NCWBOHOF brand from the ground up, starting with a clear mission: to create a legacy that connects and empowers women across generations. This led to the development of the core tagline: "Lasting Legacy."

This tagline became the foundation for a comprehensive messaging framework, ensuring a consistent and intentional tone across all communications and events. Each message was crafted to resonate with a specific audience or purpose:

  • Celebrate the Legacy: This message was reserved for the annual Gala, which serves as the organization's signature event. It was designed to highlight the achievements of the honorees and create a celebratory atmosphere.
  • Amplify the Legacy: This message is used for panels, partnerships, and collaborations, encouraging others to spread the word about the Hall of Fame's mission and the accomplishments of women business owners.
  • Treasure the Legacy: This message was developed for social events and more intimate gatherings, focusing on the deep-rooted value of the community and the personal stories of the inductees.
  • Empower the Legacy: This message is used for peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, shifting the focus from simple donation to active participation, positioning supporters not just as donors, but as active participants in building a vibrant future for NC women in business. 

This messaging framework ensured that every communication, from a social media post to a gala invitation, contributed to the overarching goal of building a lasting legacy.

This message informs brand strategy and extends through brand identity, storytelling, event design, and ongoing marketing. At the heart of the strategy was one clear goal: create a legacy that connects and empowers women across generations.

The team crafted a brand that honors the past while energizing the future, creating a space where recognition becomes inspiration. The Hall of Fame was designed to highlight individual achievements and to spark broader conversations around leadership, equity, and opportunity for women entrepreneurs throughout the state.

To maintain and expand the community’s connection, the annual Hall of Fame Gala was positioned as the signature event of the year, serving as a stage for celebration, a platform for sponsors and partners, and a powerful networking opportunity for advocates, honorees, and rising leaders alike.

SERVICES PRovided

Women Business Owners
Women Business Owners
North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame

goal

When Protus3 engaged Hummingbird Creative Group, the market for IT security solutions had undergone a considerable evolution since the company first opened their doors in 1988. Competition had intensified. New threats to corporate reputations had arisen and continued to multiply like cybercrime, identity theft and fraud. Colleges and universities came under fire for failing to implement adequate security measures. The situation sparked The Cleary Act, which regulates specific measures and reporting requirements; however, many notable institutions received heavy fines for failure to comply. Corporations and institutions in all sectors recognize the need for more sophisticated systems to anticipate threats, monitor activity within their organizations and protect valuable assets. The opportunity for Protus3 to make a powerful change became abundantly clear. Executive leaders no longer view data and information security as strictly a function of the IT department. It is widely recognized that corporate security plays a key role in business strategy. When Protus3 first entered the marketplace under its original name (Risk Management Associates or RMA), the sales team primarily dealt with technically educated buyers. More than 25 years later, the buying cycle has grown more complex, involving stakeholders at higher organizational levels with less technical knowledge. Protus3 originally planned to optimize their website and make it mobile friendly in order to capture more opportunities. They engaged Hummingbird Creative Group for this purpose; however, as collaboration on the project began, Hummingbird’s focus on capturing the brand essence started to resonate. The opportunity for Protus3 to make a powerful change became abundantly clear. Clients recognize that Protus3 has proven expertise in safeguarding their assets: intellectual and real property, equipment, inventory and employee’s safety. Though few competitors can match Protus3’s solid track record in the industry and their security acumen, their brand message did not convey their strength in the market.

solution

With a strong brand foundation in place, Hummingbird developed a comprehensive solution that included a visual identity, corporate design, and ongoing marketing strategy. We created a multi-channel marketing plan centered on the annual Gala, leveraging email, social media, and public relations to increase visibility and spark conversation. The event itself was designed to be more than just a ceremony; it was a signature experience that inspired attendees and encouraged ongoing involvement from honorees, sponsors, and supporters.

By consistently applying the "Lasting Legacy" messaging framework, we ensured that the brand's voice was always aligned with its purpose. This intentional approach fostered a community-driven growth model, with feedback from past participants used to improve the event each year and build a network of advocates who naturally amplify the brand's message.

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impact

Hummingbird Creative Group’s ongoing partnership with the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame has helped establish:

  • A Respected and Aspirational Brand: Built on authenticity, legacy, and community.
  • A Sell-Out Annual Gala: Elevating honorees and offering unmatched networking opportunities.
  • A Strong and Loyal Network: Featuring engaged inductees, returning sponsors, and widespread community support.
  • A Living Legacy: One that grows stronger each year, inspiring future generations of women business leaders in North Carolina.
  • CHRISTINE PETERSON, CPP, ISP
    Hummingbird gave us a clear way to talk about the brand that really resonated. They helped us get the technical information across in a language that appealed to non-technical businesspeople.
    PRESIDENT at Protus3
  • CHRISTINE PETERSON, CPP, ISP
    Hummingbird gave us a more holistic brand identity; one that better aligns with our core benefits, services, mission and culture. What we really appreciate is their down-to-Earth approach,” says Peterson. “It is the kind of relationship where we have the ability to laugh together and also have tough conversations together. They really feel like a partner.
    PRESIDENT at Protus3
  • CHRISTINE PETERSON, CPP, ISP
    We’re security professionals, not marketers, what we do is technical,” reflects Protus3 President Christine Peterson. “Hummingbird gave us a clear way to talk about the brand that really resonated. They helped us get the technical information across in a language that appealed to non-technical businesspeople.
    PRESIDENT at Protus3
    Women Business Owners
    WendyHeadshot_PurpleDress

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