As a member of the NFIB/Alabama Leadership Council, Forsyth shares how NFIB plays an integral role in his business and promoting small business interests in his state.
How did you become a small business owner?
It was a desire to do something different other than working in the corporate environment. I had an entrepreneurial itch in the same industry I’ve been associated with my entire career. I started working in our industry in 1976 with Comcast Music Network, a Muzak franchisee in Dallas, Texas.
What’s the best part of your day?
Meeting and greeting business owners and fellow entrepreneurs.
What’s your proudest moment as a small business owner?
Celebrating 20 years in business next July.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’re currently facing, and how are you dealing with them?
I would say you have to routinely study what’s going on with small business regulations in your city, county, state and national level, which can be extremely difficult. You have to be proactive, or you can easily be blindsided.
What advice would you give other small business owners?
I would tell them, be passionate, stay involved and keep your eye on the ball.
Why did you join NFIB?
The No. 1 reason was seeing the level of involvement from Rosemary Elebash, and her success in getting NFIB members to participate in resolving the regulatory issues we all face as small business owners. She is a fantastic advocate for small business in Alabama, and when Rosemary speaks, our elected officials pay attention.
How has NFIB helped you run your business?
NFIB’s preferred vendor Golden Rule/UnitedHealthcare has been a big help on healthcare when Blue Cross dropped us due to Obamacare. Amazingly, we were able to obtain better coverage and lower rates. We also utilize the NFIB FedEx program and save thousands of dollars on freight expense.
What state-level policy issues concern you most?
My No. 1 concern is for Alabama to adopt a statewide business license option administered by the state. This will eliminate the abuse inflicted on small business due to the punitive nature of business license regulations in cities and counties. It’s just wrong for cities and counties to collect business license taxes based on your gross revenue instead of the revenue generated within their jurisdiction.
What do you like to do off clock?
We enjoy relaxing at the lake, fishing, gardening and the little bit of down time we get. Being a family-owned business, there never is much down time. My wife Sandie, who is also my business partner, and I run the business, and it’s difficult to take a week off. The type of personalized service we provide to our customers demands that we are available around the clock. Fortunately, we don’t get any calls at two in the morning.
What’s the division of labor between you and your wife in running the business?
Sandie handles all of the accounting, invoicing and tax functions of the business, and I handle all of the operations and sales. She is truly my better half!
