Q1) To start off why don’t you tell me a little about yourself Scott?
A1) I was originally a science major in college, and soon converted to an agriculture and economics major which would help me on later down the road. And then at 39 years old i decided to start my own business and buy my first saw mill.
Q2) What sparked the idea of starting your own business?
Rebecca Felten, owner, Bull’sEye Communication, a P.R. firm specializing in publicity
1. Tell us about yourself – What is your educational and professional background (schools, degrees, jobs that led you to your current endeavor, location)
I wanted to major in journalism in college, but had the choice of either doing so at a state university or accepting a grant to work on the student newspaper at a local liberal arts college, which did not offer that degree. At the time (late 1960s), there was some merit being given to majoring in something (in my case, sociology) that would give those interested in a newspaper career a wider perspective, so long as they could get “practical experience” in the field.
I chose the grant and the assurance I would work on the school paper (later to be its editor).
2. How did you first get started in your industry? What are you most passionate about in your line of work?
My entrance into the P.R. industry followed a nearly 20-year career as a newspaper editor. When I moved to a new state I got a free sample of a recently-launched local daily. I read one of the articles, told my husband, “I can write better than this,” and went to the newspaper office and applied for a job. The managing editor took a chance on me and I started in the night newsroom, taking stories over the phone from reporters in the field. Soon I began editing copy, designing pages and eventually ran the night, then day, newsroom. Our job was to tell people’s stories, to make sure everyone was heard, to give a voice to those who had none. I continue to do that.
I first met Steve Jolley five years ago in Goldsboro, NC. At the time he was running Lighthouse Mortgage; a company that his father and himself had created and operated. As the economy shifted Jolley was smart to stay ahead of the trend and he moved to Wilmington, NC to open the insurance company Anchor Adjusters. Jolley also has a side business of chartering deep-sea fishing trips through his company Knot Reel Adventures.
1.Tell us a little about yourself: I am not necessarily a leader, but certainly not a follower. Although I am definitely an “outside the box” thinker.
1. Tell us about yourself – What is your educational and professional background (schools, degrees, jobs that led you to your current endeavor, location)
Educational background: Bachelors in Journalism. I also attended culinary school. I worked as a writer for 15 years before transitioning to teaching Pilates. I had discovered Pilates after living with chronic pain form injuries sustained from three car accidents in a two year period. A chiropractor referred me to Pilates, and after the first session I felt better than I had felt in years. After working hard to rehabilitate my body with Pilates, I developed severe repetitive strain injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. It was so debilitating that not only could I not work, I couldn’t even hold anything in my hands, such as a book. I decided that it was time to find a career that would be sustainable for my body, and chose Pilates. I did my training with my original teacher, and then went on from there to complete a Pilates for Golf training and a Master Trainer certification with the Pilates Sports Center so that I could train people to be Pilates Trainers.
2. How did you first get started in your industry? What are you most passionate about in your line of work? I first started by teaching at two different studios owned by my trainer, and then decided I also wanted to train out of my house. I purchased equipment and started teaching out of my house.
