Company address: 150 N. Sunny Slope Rd. Suite #240, Brookfield, WI 53005
Company Web site: www.elitehumancapital.com
Industry: Executive recruitment & professional staffing
Number of employees: 10
Company’s annual revenues: $5 million
Education: Bachelor of arts degree in business administration, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Family: “I am currently not married. I do not have any biological children, but do have two furry canine ‘daughters,’ terriers named Pixie Madeline and Piper Miranda. I’m still hoping the day will come that the IRS will recognize them as dependents. I need a tax break!”
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“I hired a new V.P. of sales, Paul Kilp, who has brought a fresh new strategic vision to the firm. I also promoted my director of staffing, Kate Beatty, to a V.P. of operations role. It’s amazing what a fresh new management team can do for an organization.”
What’s new at your company?
“I’m currently in the research and development stage of launching a ‘sister’ company to Elite. This new company would provide Vendor Management Solutions to organizations attempting to streamline their hiring process. The unique benefit and value that that we bring to this arena is our WBE (Woman Business Enterprise) certified status. Utilizing us as the primary vendor of choice will allow organizations to further develop their Affirmative Action programs and meet their diversity spending goals.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“This will be a huge growth year for us! We’ll most likely add an additional five to six people, and with the new venture I am considering, it is feasible that we’ll double our staff this year. We’re also moving into our own freestanding office building later this year (potentially January 2008, due to construction planning delays) and doubling our office square footage to accommodate our growth.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“I think our primary challenge is to operate properly, while still growing at an accelerated rate. We’re very conscious of the toll this can take on employees, corporate culture and strategic initiatives. We don’t want to lose the foundation and ‘feel’ of Elite.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Organizations are starting to awaken to the fact that they need to have contingency plans in place that address a significant shift in the workforce as baby boomers hit retirement age. Firms in our sector are popping up to address this looming demographic trend by catering and promoting a workforce of retirees available for project work or consulting engagements.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“A company’s most valuable asset is its human capital.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I’ve grown to admire the unwavering ethics that Howard Schultz epitomizes in his business practices. I also hold a great deal of admiration for Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. She’s served as a strong advocate in Wisconsin representing women-owned businesses and has a genuine sincerity for the causes she champions.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“‘Know what you don’t know.’ I learned early on that subject matter experts are priceless. Don’t skimp on the resources you call upon when you’re beyond basic knowledge of a critical business practice, such as accounting, legal matters, etc.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“It actually wasn’t that long ago, so the ‘scars’ are still fresh! My firm was chosen last year as one of Waukesha County Top 10 Small Business Award winners. A luncheon was held to congratulate all of the winners. There were approximately 300 people in attendance. The winners were all seated for lunch on an elevated three-foot-high stage. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I am hopelessly clumsy. As I stood to shake another winner’s hand, my heel caught the bottom of the tablecloth and I went tumbling down off stage, of course attempting to catch myself by grabbing the table cloth … thus taking my entire dining ensemble with me. Fortunately, the only injury I incurred was a huge bruise to my ego!”
