Jeffrey Lambie
Owner, president, treasurer of J.L. Business Interiors Inc.
515 Schoenhaar Dr., P.O. Box 303, West Bend, WI 53095
www.jlbusinessinteriors.com
Industry: Office furniture
Number of employees: 19
Family: “Wife, Karen, who is also an owner, vice-president and secretary. We have three grown children, Jeremy, who is Vice-President of Sales, Chris and Sarah, who does part-time secretarial work. We also have three grandchildren.”
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“After about a year of research, we made a commitment to become an integrator in the health care market. We are now a premier health care furnishing supplier delivering products, services and support to that market.”
What’s new at your company?
“We formed a new division under J.L. Business Interiors Inc. called Integrated Healthcare Products. We offer medical equipment/fixtures along with our healthcare furniture, to be a full service healthcare furnishings company.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“Yes, and we will take about 2,000 square feet of our existing 8,000-square-foot showroom and dedicate it to the health care market. On display will be an exam room, physician scales, medical carts, bariatric furniture, medical storage systems and other medical equipment, along with our other health care furniture we already provide. Our goal is to create a comprehensive product line essential to providing customers with a complete healthcare package.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“We will focus on continuing to grow our business and look for those opportunities to show the public how we differentiate our company from the others.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Even though we have talked a lot about the health care market, we have always been committed to being green. That is one topic that is current in all industries. Reduce-Reuse-Recycle is by far the best method for everyone. We have many options for businesses looking for green ideas in all markets.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Well, here’s one that always makes me think: At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud or prod you.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“There are many people I have as mentors, but I have found that by being involved in the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Club, you come in contact with a lot of talented people in their fields that you can learn a lot from. This can help you out in your business in many different ways.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Whether in business, volunteering in service clubs, or whatever else I am involved in, I use this advice: Always do more than you get paid for as an investment in your future. I don’t think you can go wrong with that.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I used to play competitive handball until a neck injury prevented me from playing anymore. I now enjoy spending time with my family, golfing, hiking and traveling.”
