05/22/2007
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Ridgeway Communications Enterprises owner James Gordon stands in front of an array of telephones that his company places in hotels in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Gordon says he is an NFIB member because he wants "to have a voice in order to protect the essence of what this country was built on and prevent government from running small business out." |
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NFIB member James Gordon, back row right, and his friendly staff in Memphis work tirelessly to provide excellent customer service. |
James Gordon, Owner
Ridgeway Communications Enterprises LLC – Memphis
In business since 1987, NFIB member since February 2007
Number of employees: 12
www.ridgewayinc.com
James Gordon began his career as an in-house communications hotel developer. As the hospitality industry changed, he and two partners created Ridgeway Communications Enterprises LLC to distribute guestroom telephones to independent properties and national franchises in the hospitality field. In 1989, he bought out his two partners, survived some lean years and grew steadily. He hopes to double his staff from 12 to 24 within the next 12 months. "The goal of Ridgeway's hotel guestroom telephone department is to supply their clients' needs at competitive prices on a timely basis."
NFIB spoke recently to James Gordon, who owns and operates his business in Memphis.
Essential business philosophy
"Do unto others as you would like to be done unto."
Existing and future business opportunities
"As an entrepreneur, you find more opportunities than you can possibly support. It is necessary to find out what makes money and stick with it. It is more important to be solvent -- absolutely no debt -- than to chase every opportunity. We must place ourselves in the right light, being good business partners in the community. Without friends and contacts, it is impossible to succeed."
Company strengths
"Employees! No owner can get anywhere without good, long-term employees. They must be adequately trained in order to be productive and to succeed as employees and a business. The owner must mentor and train their staff for them to fully understand how crucial their job is no matter how big or small their responsibilities are. At the end of the day, the sales team [members] are problem-solvers and they must be equipped to provide quality service."
Changes in your industry
"Technology is obviously changing rapidly. However, we supply access to that technology, not create it. People don't like complicated systems. We are paid to take care of simplifying it for them. Technology has brokered the bond between the salesperson and the client. Customers are driving our business. We educate our customers and let them know how our products can help them."
Benefits of being a small-business owner
"Quick accomplishments and quick failures, too."
Surprising about my industry
"We sell telephones. You don't have to be technical to succeed. In this industry, jobs were generated through deregulation following the break up of the Bells. It made it easier for the little guys to grow and become competitive. However, with the reconsolidation of AT&T and BellSouth, it could have an adverse effect on competition."
Upcoming legislation concerns
"[I am for] association health plans. My biggest expense as a small-business owner is employee benefits. I offer health insurance, but I cannot get my employees to participate because of the monthly cost. Another concern is the public education system. If we better prepare our kids while in school, I might not have to spend so much time and energy training employees on the basics like typing."
NFIB experience and expectations
"I joined NFIB to support and protect political activities. I want to have a voice in order to protect the essence of what this country was built on and prevent government from running small business out."
