Meet Board Member Kenna Cronen by Deanna Adzima

When you meet Kenna Cronen, her warm smile and calm, confident manner instantly put you at ease. Her clear eyes look directly into yours as she offers you a firm handshake. The poised owner of A-Plus Cleaning and Organizing, Incorporated and the Network of Entrepreneurial Women Board Development Chair takes care of business by taking care of others. At the age of thirty, she is at the helm of a successful corporation and mentors several independent contractors. Voted Most Accomplished under 40 in Central Oregon in 2007 and Business Woman of the Year in Central Oregon in 2005, Kenna speaks from experience when she says "I want to inspire people to do something extraordinary!"

It's obvious that Kenna is a focused and determined entrepreneur. What's not obvious are the tremendous personal and professional challenges that she's had to surmount, not only to achieve her impressive goals, but simply to survive. 

Kenna endured a childhood of sexual abuse from two of her family members. "I prayed every day to die", she says unflinchingly. And then, "I received God's message that my pain would result in a higher purpose." She used this revelation as a lightening rod to seek her own recovery and healing and to ignite her resolve help others.

One of Kenna's dearest aspirations is to become an inspirational speaker. She says that "If I can help just one child, then it will be worth it." As an active member of Toastmasters and the Network of Entrepreneural Women Free Speakers Bureau, she is well-suited to embrace this dream. Kenna is nearing completion of a children's book to help children set boundaries for their bodies and educate them to guard against abuse.

Many Network members heard and appreciated Kenna's frank story detailing her failed business expansion at one of our recent monthly dinner meetings. While other business owners in similar situations might have become discouraged and given up, Kenna used this experience as an learning opportunity and openly shared this gift of knowledge with us.

Kenna particularly enjoys helping budding entrepreneurs start their own cleaning businesses via her A-Plus Business Mentoring company. As owner of A-Plus Cleaning and Organizing, she matches independent contractors with Central Oregon clients seeking customized cleaning and organizing services for their primary homes, secondary homes, or businesses. Since May of 199, A-Plus has delivered quality service to over 300 Central Oregon area clients.

Kenna personally interviews all potential contractors and ensures that they are bonded, insured and that they have clean background checks. She also emphasizes that "It's important for my employees to have integrity and that our values match." She proudly says that her employees "call her Mom", some of whom she admits are older than she is!

Kenna is a natural in her role as the Network Board Development Chair. Her job is to make sure that each board member has everything they need to excel in their positions. She always takes the time to find out if we board members need any help. If we do, she get's it done with efficiency and kindness.

Born in Redmond and raised in Tumalo, Kenna loves Central Oregon and plans to retire here as well. Though recently divorced from her High School sweetheart, there is no trace of bitterness in her voice as she speaks of her past. Perhaps that's because she carries within her heart and mind the beacon of an important purpose that keeps both her outlook and her future very bright.