When they come to work in the morning, Charlene Carroll'semployees know they can expect more than the daily grind. They canalso expect a philosophy on life and business the 46-year-oldBostonian has developed over 19 years of owning a hair salon.
It's a philosophy that prompts her to hire neighborhoodyouth to do odd jobs in her shop-and to find out just what heremployees expect from life.
"When a person comes to me [for a job], I try to beupfront. I want to know what they're going to do with theirlives and what their goals are. I need to know if they'remotivated or if I need to motivate them," says Carroll fromher salon, Charlene's Hair Salon, in Boston's predominantlyblack Roxbury neighborhood.
For the truly motivated-and more advanced-Carroll's help caninclude free continuing education classes to learn new hair-caretechniques, the chance to demonstrate hair products at shows aroundthe nation, and training in the skills needed to operate asalon.
"About five salons in the area are owned by formeremployees of mine," boasts Carroll. "I try to get mypeople to the point where, if they leave here, they can go out andopen their own businesses."
Opening a salon wasn't her goal in the beginning. "Iwas perfectly happy working for someone else," remembersCarroll, who started her business so she could get a pension plan."But I always wanted to be the best at whatever Idid."
Sometimes, Carroll discovered, being the best means striking outon your own. Now she's teaching others to do the same.-C.E.G.
Peer Review
Getting a little help from your friends
Hi, my name is Karen, and I'm an BIZ Experiences."Although you may never hear these exact words at anEntrepreneurs' Edge meeting, the San Diego-based peer group hasa lot in common with other problem-solving organizations.
For starters, the primary goal of BIZ Experiencess' Edge is toencourage the growth of small businesses and enhanceentrepreneurs' management and leadership skills. Second,members air their problems at monthly meetings where heavy feedbackis part and parcel of the program. "They help each other makethe tough decisions that go with running a business," saysFaith Maybury, BIZ Experiencess' Edge's national director.
Formed in 1994, the group meets monthly for four hours; fourtimes a year, members also hear speakers address topics theychoose.
Membership in BIZ Experiencess' Edge is by invitation only. Toqualify, businesses must have gross revenues of at least $750,000,have been in business three years, employ five to 25 people and begrowth-oriented. In addition, says Maybury, "We expect[small-business owners] to be open about their financials and abouttheir businesses because they're not going to get honestfeedback if they're not putting honest information on thetable."
On The Move
Where will you be in 2020?
Westward ho! The Western region of the country is hot-andwe're not talking about temperatures. According to Washington,DC-based research firm NPA Data Services Inc., a select number ofWestern states rank among the spots expected to experience thegreatest percentage of population growth from now to the year 2020.Nevada-with a whopping growth rate of 70.5 percent-finished at thehead of the class.
In terms of the actual number of people, California led the packin population growth, with a projected 11,299,100 additionalresidents by 2020. Other strong finishers: Texas (8,464,100),Florida (8,197,800), Arizona (2,891,700) and Georgia(2,872,800). -D.P.
