Entrepreneur talks about making the transition from corporate work to independent business owner.
Name: Jeff Gennaro
Business: Capitol Insurance Brokers Inc.
Employees: 3
Location: Glendale, Arizona
How did you become a small business owner?
After about 15 years of working with international firms, I made the decision to go off on my own and open my own company. That was back in 1992. I was always more of an entrepreneur, and I wanted to control my relationships with my clients.
What has surprised you about running your own business?
Finding really good people is hard. And operating your own business encompasses a lot of different things, so you have to become at least knowledgeable in a lot of areas that you wouldn’t have to if you were working for somebody.
What kind of business climate does Arizona have?
It’s a good place to do business in that we have a lot of conservative business leaders here. It’s kind of a free-market state. We have good legislative representation that listens to us and works with us. And the state is highly driven by small business, so there are a lot of good, talented people that we interact with.
Why did you get involved with NFIB?
I’ve served in several associations in Arizona, so I’ve been very involved in the legislative process, and I quickly found that NFIB and I shared a lot of common issues. NFIB was just as concerned as I was about how healthcare was going to change in Arizona and affect the employers.
What advice would you give to other small business owners?
You have to make sure you know what your objectives are for success. Surround yourself with real, quality expertise, both when it comes to the people you’re working with and the people who are your vendors. And always be sure to manage your time well.
