NFIB

Paladino Goes the Distance
08/22/2002

Joni Paladino spent the last three and a half years working on her MBA through Penn State's Dubois campus. She also watched a lot of television. "The MBA program was a distance learning course," explains Paladino. "We basically went to school and turned on the TV."

The unique program, which offers real-time interaction with instructors, appealed to Paladino because she wasn't just a graduate student at the time; she was also a business owner. "We're a family-owned and operated business and have been for the past 50 years. My grandfather started things in 1945, my dad took things over in 1971 and ran it until he and my mother retired in 1995, and now my brother and I run the business."

Actually, there are two businesses. MIF Incorporated is the family's fleet of 14 tri-axle trucks, and The Johns Garage handles the heavy truck repair for MIF's fleet as well as a number of outside customers. Brother Ed Johns focuses primarily on the garage, while Paladino handles MIF's operations. "It's still the same amalgamation of family," she says.

As for her decision to pursue an MBA? It was just time. "I decided that after 50 years, somebody with a business education would be beneficial," Paladino laughs. "Of course, there wasn't that much small business focus to the program. I brought it up to them at the end. On the plus side, it was very interesting to see these things you do that impact your people and how to make that flow more smoothly. That's something you definitely need in small business."

Quick Facts
Name: Joni Paladino
Businesses: The Johns Garage, MIF Incorporated
Location: Brockway, Pa.

How did the family business get started?
My granddad started the business. He had worked for a man in Bookville, where he was living, and in 1945 this garage came up for sale, and he decided to venture out on his own.

Are there other family members involved now?
My brother Ed and I run the business. And my 13-year-old daughter comes down every Saturday to help out.

How did you get involved in NFIB?
Ed first joined NFIB back in the mid-'80s, and we just became a bit more involved with it over time. Last year, they asked if I'd like to be part of the Leadership Council and I said, 'Sure.' The experience has been really good. The meetings are always interesting and give you a real in-depth view of what's going on in your state capital. Of course, you can read about it, but it's a little different being there and hearing speakers.

What issues are you most concerned about?
At the national level, I'm worried about raising minimum wage again. In 1996, I got to be part of a PBS panel discussion on minimum wage in part because of my involvement in NFIB. We talked about these things then. It's a domino effect -- they raise the minimum wage, and then everyone in my shop wants a raise, too. The person who made $4 more than the minimum-wage folks before wants to continue making $4 more. So for us, an increase in the minimum wage is really an increase in all wages. It becomes an expensive proposition.

What do you like best about being a small business owner?
Supposedly I have more flexibility, and I guess there is that. Also, I'm a little bit of a control freak, and in a large organization you're not able to control everything. As a small business owner, you make your own decisions, and if you sink or swim, it's your doing, not the result of somebody else's decision you can't do anything about.