Mary Lynn Gorsline, owner of Copperstone Executive Suites understands the importance of making time for both family and business.
Originally intended to be a home for their software company, Mary Lynn and her husband, Gary, eventually turned their space in Land O’Lakes, Florida into professional suites for other small business owners. Gorsline calls it the “four-kids club.”
“Gary and I, we have four kids, and there’s a number of people here who have four kids, and we just have to get out of the house to get some work done,” says Gorsline.
She says a large portion of the community are home business owners, and they deserve an affordable place to come to work that provides the highest level of customer service. Gorsline is a champion for small business in more ways than one.
“I don’t like to think of myself as a landlord. I hate that word. It’s like we’re business partners here because if you don’t succeed, we don’t succeed,” Gorsline says.
While serving as a Chamber of Commerce board member, Gorsline advocated for a shop local initiative. In her research looking for organizations that support small businesses, she says she found NFIB and connected with how well they represent the interests of small business owners.
“I was astounded at the legislative items they put in front of us. I had no idea that the legislature was even talking about some of these things…As a small business, we can’t possibly keep up with all of that, and that’s what NFIB does for us,” Gorsline says.
One of the accomplishments Gorsline takes the most pride in is the annual Salute to Small Business event her company hosts. The event is meant to honor small business owners for their contributions to the local community and Gorsline says its impact has only increased with the help of NFIB.
About her business and its connection with NFIB, Gorsline says she thinks of something a friend once said to her, “There’s no reason a small business in our community should ever go down…because as a community we are supposed to be here to support them, help them. And I’ve always remembered that.”
