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Sharon Steelman
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Sharon Steelman
During the past thirty years, Sharon Steelman along with her husband, Ray Steelman, have started and run six successful businesses. Their most rec...view moreSharon Steelman
During the past thirty years, Sharon Steelman along with her husband, Ray Steelman, have started and run six successful businesses. Their most recent accomplishment is Bama Jammer TM Promotions. Beginning from scratch, with no money, no equipment and no office, in seven years they transitioned a modest business into a multi-million dollar advertising specialty company. After trial and error, long hours and lots of sweat equity, the pieces finally began to fit.
It is amazing enough to build six successful businesses, but to do so completely debt-free is even more amazing. By applying Biblical principles, frugal business practices and good work ethics, Sharon and Ray have proven that anyone can realize the “American Dream!”
The Steelmans have co-authored several books, some of which have been marketed by Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble, Baker and Taylor, Wal-Mart, Hohner, Inc., Amazon.Com, Gaylord Entertainment, Opryland, many tourist attractions and local and regional book stores. They also have been published in numerous business and trade magazines. In one recent year Ray was named “Writer of the Year” by Yesterday’s Memories magazine, a nostalgic publication with national circulation.
Sharon is no stranger in business and professional circles, often appearing as a speaker or panelist at national and regional conventions and business meetings. In 2004, she was nominated from a pool of executives from 23,000 companies as "Woman of the Year" in the Advertising Specialty Institute's most prestigious award for women. Sharon and Ray were both nominated in 2004 as "Entrepreneur of the Year" by ASI. By very narrow margins, they came in second place nationally in both of the above awards. Sharon attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville where she majored in International Trade and Foreign Language.
For years, Ray, known in harmonica circles as the "Bama Jammer", has amazed audiences with his skills playing the harmonica. The Bama Jammer has taught literally thousands to play the harmonica through his books, audio and video tapes and harmonica seminars. His books, cassette albums and CD’s have been marketed by Wal-Mart, Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, Baker and Taylor, Amazon.Com, Hohner Harmonica Company, theme parks and on the internet. Ray occasionally teaches harmonica in seminars for schools, businesses and professional groups. He is well known to the viewers of You Tube, Vimeo and Reverbnation with over 200 harmonica and vocal videos that are seen daily around the world. Ray is also a general aviation pilot holding the following certifications: Single engine land, multi-engine land, high performance and complex aircraft, IFR certified (flying in the clouds by instruments only and no outside references). Ray holds a BS and an MA degree in Industrial Management from Middle Tennessee State University.
Based on sales growth, Bama Jammer Promotions was named the "Fastest Growing Distribution Company in America" in 2003 and again in 2004. In the sixty-year history of this award, this is the only time that the same company has received this recognition twice. In 2004, Bama Jammer Promotions was named “Small Business of the Year” (wholesale / retail division) by the Huntsville / Madison County, Alabama Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, Bama Jammer was named a “Torch Finalist (ethics in business)” by the North Alabama Better Business Bureau. In 2006, The South Regions Minority Business Council named Bama Jammer “The 2006 Supplier of the Year” (in the medium size company category) in the Southeast. In 2007, Sharon was selected as one of three finalists for the Huntsville / Madison County Alabama Chamber of Commerce “Entrepreneur of the Year.” In 2008, Bama Jammer was the recipient of the “Torch Award (ethics in business)” by the North Alabama Better Business Bureau.view less