08/11/2005
Patrick Stella is a small-business owner who sees the world full of opportunities.
Stella, owner of Fire Sprinkler LLC and a member of NFIB/Tennessee’s Leadership Council, has been in the business of installing commercial and industrial fire protection systems for more than 30 years.
He is also vice chairman of the Nashville chapter of Character Counts, an organization that promotes “Six Pillars of Character” in thousands of schools, communities and nonprofits across the country. The Six Pillars are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Stella sees an opportunity to take the message of Character Counts, whose Nashville chairman is former Gov. Winfield Dunn, to government and businesses.
“We’re doing a good job in the schools,” Stella said. “I’d like to do more with businesses, but it’s [sometimes] difficult to get into the business. But I believe as an owner it’s important to take the message to employees [that character does matter].”
His business has thrived over the years, and Stella notes that Tennessee’s economy is “much better than it was two years ago” and his business “is [also] a lot better.” He credits Gov. Phil Bredesen for bringing industry back to Tennessee.
“Bredesen’s done a very good job,” Stella said. “I think he’s pro-business. He doesn’t come off as a straight politician and is in tune with [the citizenry].”
While Stella heaps praise on Tennessee’s chief executive, he’s mindful of the corruption scandals that have swept over the state this year while noting the problem appears systemic.
“I’m concerned about the corruption we’re seeing in our government,” he said. “I think it’s a huge issue and a lot deeper than we’re seeing.”
Stella said his business’s struggles include workers' compensation, soaring health insurance and frivolous lawsuits. Last year, Tennessee adopted reforms to its broken workers’ compensation system, something Stella was pleased to see.
“There’s still some more work, but I feel we’ve at least broken into it,” he said. “Health insurance is a huge problem. It’s something we have to face and address. [If we don’t], employers are going to stop paying for it and burden the state [further].”
Like many members, Stella uses NFIB as a resource and information source. In addition to his Leadership Council position, he’s frequently contacted by the media about small-business issues, makes contributions to SAFE Trust (NFIB’s PAC), attends state capitol events, and writes letters and calls legislators in response to NFIB’s calls to action at the state and federal levels.
“I always respond,” he said.
“That’s what makes Pat Stella special,” NFIB/Tennessee State Director Rob Ikard said. “He’s dependable and a person of great integrity. He’s a huge asset to our Leadership Council.”
Stella merely sees it as his obligation to be an activist and catalyst for change.
”I felt it would be good for me, good for my organization and good for NFIB if I made the time to get involved,” Stella said. “It's good to have as many ideas, voices and opinions represented as possible.”
Stella's efforts aren’t going unnoticed. He’s a past winner of the Small Business Administration's Small-Business Person of the Year award, and he received SBA's 50th Anniversary Director's Choice Award for the Southeast region. The accolades are nice but not the motivation his choice to be an entrepreneur.
”I like the freedom of it," he said. “I enjoy working with good people, and I enjoy doing the best I can to make their dreams come true. Not everyone can be a business owner – and not everyone wants to be – but everyone has dreams. I like trying to make those dreams real."
