This NFIB member prides himself on customer satisfaction.
NFIB Member: Page Ewell
Business: Richmond Window Corporation, Richmond, Va.
Employees: 13 full-time, 7 part-time
How did you become a small business owner, and why?
My father bought the company in the early 1970s, and then I joined the company in the late ’80s. Dad had ownership going through to the early ’90s; he retired in the late ’90s. When he passed six years ago, the rest of the company’s shares changed over to me.
Being a small business owner kind of ran in my family. When I went to college, I was always proud that my father was a business owner.
What do you love most about running a small business?
First of all, my goal is to make the customers happy. And with a small business, the owner is not detached from the end user too much. So, I can be hands-on. We grade ourselves on customer satisfaction.
What does owning a business allow you to do that most folks do not get to enjoy?
I have the freedom to do what I want to for my employees and for my customers. We just had a big party last night, and we went to a comedy club for our annual Christmas party.
What do you read?
I read Entrepreneur magazine and NFIB’s MyBusiness magazine. I also get motivational quotes every morning on my phone.
What has been your proudest moment as a small business owner?
One thing is just our perseverance. When the economy was struggling, everybody was down, but we just buckled down and fought hard to get to where we really needed to be, and we’ve been on a growth curve ever since.
What’s your favorite thing to do off the clock?
The thing for me is family. I like kayaking, sometimes with my kids. I also coach my daughter’s basketball team.
