Cindy Schulz, co-owner and president of Schulz Iron Works, who has already been awarded NFIB/North Carolina’s business champion of the year once, talks about her role on the NFIB North Carolina Leadership Council and the hectic life of owning a small business.
Name: Cindy Schulz
Business: Schulz Iron Works
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Employees: 37
How did you become a small business owner, and why?
Quite frankly, it had been a lifetime dream of my husband Dave (co-owner and vice president) to have his own company. We spent a good many years working for other people, learning about the business end of things, and then the opportunity presented itself one day and we jumped on it.
What makes NC a good place for your business?
This is where my family has lived for 100 years. It’s where we’re from. … We prefer to work in and around Raleigh so that our field men can spend the nights and evenings at home with their families.
What could NC do better?
One of my things is sales tax. I think they could do a better job of preplanning and announcing definite changes sooner. …The changes are not so always well announced in advance and it changes once or twice a year, which I think is a bit much for the average person like me just trying to do some billing. It’s a lot to keep up with. I’ve got other things to do.
What advice would you give small business owners?
There are not enough hours in the day and you can’t possibly do it all yourself
Why did you join NFIB?
We’ve been members of NFIB since 2008. It was just ironic that the man that walked in here and started talking to me, he just kind of asked the right questions and set me off on a little fireball. …I was very fortunate in 2010 to be asked to join the leadership council, which I absolutely enjoy. Just to be able to have a say about what we think our goals can be, what bothers me, what my pet peeves are … I appreciate that. I like knowing I have a say and that they’re paying attention to what I’m saying. I appreciate that it’s a nonpartisan organization. It’s just plain smart thinking.
What do you like to do off the clock?
Off the clock? No. 1 would be sleep, but I like reading and gardening some vegetables. I like fiction—stuff that my imagination can just go with. I get enough real life every day, not that I’m any good at it. I also enjoy a round of golf every now and then.
