|
|
Bio:
Neutral Posture in the only certified woman owned seating manufacturer in the US. The company has two manufacturing facilities with the headquarters in Bryan, TX and a second facility in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. The company manufacturers ergonomic and multipurpose seating as well as ergonomic accessories.
The company was formed in January 1989 so we will be celebrating our 16th anniversary soon. We have 85 employees in Texas and another 6 in Canada. We are the only woman owned company to ever trade on NASDAQ. The company was public from 1997 until 2001 when we took it private again.
Our customers are Fortune 1000 companies and the US Government. UPS is our single largest customer purchasing over 42,000 chairs over a ten year period. Various government agencies make up about 25% of our business with sales in excess of $5M per year.
Community involvement:
I serve on the board of the Women?s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and I am the Chair of the Women?s Enterprise Leadership Forum of the WBENC. I am a national founding partner of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). I serve on the B/CS Chamber of Commerce Board and the Staff Parish Relationship Committee of Christ United Methodist Church. I am a member of the Women?s Leadership Council of the United Way. I am the Chair of the Live Auction for the Cattle Barron?s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society.
My company supports 6 local charities through cash donations in excess of $10K per year. Additionally, we donate chairs for auctions, prizes, and gifts to over 100 charities.
Person most admired:
My hero, mentor and the person I admire the most are all rolled in to one person, my husband. He is an incredible business person and he has taught me invaluable business lessons. As a person he is one of the best I have ever met! His thoughtfulness and kindness are unsurpassed. He brings the terms loyalty and integrity to a whole new level. After sixteen years of a wonderful marriage I am still amazed as to how wonderful he is and how lucky I am.
Favorite book:
Man of Faith (about President George W. Bush) This book truly inspired me. President Bush is not afraid to show his faith but he also is not a martyr. I just turned 41 and at my age he had not accomplished much. It makes me feel like the best is yet to come!
What I enjoy most about my work:
The people I get to work with. We have a unique environment that is very family oriented. I truly enjoy going to work and spending time with this group.
Greatest accomplishment:
My family! Nothing else is even a close second. I am very happily married with two incredible children. My business is highly successful as well but again it is a distant second when you consider what really matters in life.
Greatest challenge:
Our greatest challenge was taking the company public and then four year later figuring out how to take it private again. Most business owners think that ?going public? is the pot at the end of the rainbow and that is not necessarily true. Having outsiders making major decisions in your company is not much fun!
Advances I envision in my field over the next 10 years:
The Furniture industry changes rather slowly so I do not see huge changes. The key focuses seem to be on more ergonomic adjustments (which is great for us) and sustainability or more ?green? products.
Strategies to maintain balance in my life:
My family always comes first! This is a key element with all our employees. If you are not happy at home you will not be happy at work. I also make sure I take care of myself in the process.
Advice for emerging entrepreneurs:
There are three ?must haves?. A great lawyer, accountant and insurance policy. We made horrible mistakes early on by not having stellar people in these three areas because we thought we could not afford it. We lost more money making bad decisions then it would have cost us to get the best advice up front.
 back to top
|
|
