NFIB Virginia Member Profile: Marylou H. Paine of G.E. Paine Electric Co.

Date: March 13, 2015

Entrepreneur Marylou Paine says her partnership has led to her business' success.

Name: Marylou Paine

Business: G.E. Paine
Electric Co., Inc.

Location: Hanover
Industrial Airpark, Hanover County, Virginia

Employees: 6

How did you become a
small business owner and why?

It was my husband’s idea and I went along with him.

To what do you
contribute your business’ longevity?

A good division of the work. My husband and I have been married
for 55 years and worked in the same business every day for 44 [years]. He
manages the men and the materials and I manage the finances in the business
aspect of it. He asks permission to spend money and I leave the men alone. And
it works!

What does being a small
business owner allow you to do that most others don’t get to enjoy?

Freedom to choose what I want to engage in. I do a lot of
community stuff, and I’m free to come and go to do these things without having
to answer to anybody.

What advice would you
give other small business owners?

Be prepared. It’s getting more complicated every day.

Why did you join NFIB?

NFIB was the single entity that reflected us, our business. I
have learned that the majority of the businesses who are members of NFIB are
small, just like me. They have 10 employees or fewer. I never felt the like the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce really reflected me. But with NFIB, I felt right at
home. They supported the ideals and things that I ideologically supported, as
well as things that have helped my business.

How has NFIB helped you
run your small business?

NFIB has given me a voice in the community. It’s afforded me
opportunities to meet candidates for federal, state and local political office
and to have a one-on-one say with them. It’s knowing that my dues are going 100
percent to something I believe in and that I’m given an opportunity to voice
what I really think.

What do you like to do
off the clock?

I like to read. I like to write. You know, everybody has that
great American novel buried in their soul. I enjoy words, whether I’m reading
them or writing them. I enjoy being with my husband, believe it or not. After
being with him all day long, we still do a lot of things together. We show
classic cars and have been all over the eastern part of the United States. We
just enjoy doing everything together. 

Related Content: Small Business News | Virginia

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