1.  Give a brief description of your business.  What product(s) or service do you provide, and what sets you apart   from others?

SOHO Systems provides IT services to small to midsize businesses, home office and home/family computer users. SOHO is a full service provider from computer repair to systems and network design and installations. We service our clients both onsite and remotely, offer system monitoring and alerting, preventative maintenance, application consulting, training, and along with our partners, we offer web design, cabling, voice and multi-media support. We speak plain English, not techno-babble and work to find solutions that fit our client’s budgets, needs and styles. We don’t expect our clients to conform to specific configurations or applications. Each client is different and we customize our approach to supporting them individually.

2.   How long have you been in business, and how did you get involved in this business?

I have been servicing my clients for over 10 years.

3.    How many employees do you have?

Currently SOHO Systems is just me, but again, through a network of partners we have the personnel and expertise to meet most IT consulting and service needs.

4.   What do you want people to know about you and/or your business

I have been in the business of IT customer service for pretty much my entire adult life. I have worked for big computer companies and small. I’ve worked on large computers in large data centers at big companies and small computers at small companies and homes. My experience is broad and extensive. Also, people always ask about the name; SOHO is an industry acronym for Small Office Home Office.

5.    What are some of the pitfalls one faces when owning one’s own business?

When you work for a company, your responsibilities are usually somewhat defined. You do your job, you get your benefits and you collect your paycheck. When you own your own business you’re responsible for it all. I wear all the proverbial hats; from CEO, the technician on the street, sales and marketing, HR, to CFO, janitor and mail room clerk…

6.   What is the best business advice you’ve received during your career?

“Fix the Customer” In the computer services business there are many really good technicians and engineers but the best are able to go beyond fixing the machine.

7.  Do you have a business mentor?  If so, who is it?

Mark Hanson has helped and supported me along the way

8.   How has your business been affected by the current economy?

My core of clients have weathered the storm so far and they still rely on their computer systems to run their business which keeps me busy. I’ve seen a bit of a slowdown in new system installs but maintaining existing systems has been solid business. I’ve picked up some new business during this time as well.

9. Tell us an inspirational or humorous story about your business?

This particular incident happened when I was working as a customer engineer at one of the big computer companies years ago. Maintenance and repairs of our clients’ computers were covered under their maintenance agreements except for situations of neglect or abuse etc. such as spilling liquids into your machine. I responded to a call for a bad keyboard and the user insisted he didn’t do anything to cause the keyboard to malfunction. When I lifted the keyboard off the desk, in a perfect outline of the keyboard was half of his morning coffee puddle on the desk. He had cleaned off the top of the keyboard and all around it but not underneath.

10.  If you could go back in time, would you change anything?

No regrets, no surrender.

Finally, give the address of the business, and the contact information..

Michael Hertz

SOHO Systems

Norwell, MA 02061

781.261-3173

Marie McConnell of McConnell Design

Give a brief description of your business.  What product(s) or service do you provide, and what sets you apart   from others?

We are a full-service graphic design agency providing businesses with effective and compelling marketing tools. Our services range from overall brand development, marketing materials, website design to large format graphics for trade show events and vehicle wraps.

How long have you been in business, and how did you get involved in this business?

Having almost 25 years of experience in the field of graphic design and after spending 10 years as a Vice President/Creative Director for a creative firm in greater Boston, I decided to open my own business here on the South Shore in 1997.

What do you want people to know about you and/or your business?

As a small firm, clients can expect tailored one-on-one attention from me. Projects won’t be passed down to junior designers after initial meetings as is sometimes the case with larger design firms. From design concept to final printing, I care about each project as if it were my own.

What are some of the pitfalls one faces when owning one’s own business?

Small business owners quickly need to develop a dual vision. We need to be prepared  to meet our clients’ deadlines of today while simultaneously anticipating our own business’ needs for the future.  Maintaining that balance is critical to our reputations and the profitability of our businesses.

What is the best business advice you’ve received during your career?

Always set aside time to network even if business is good.

Do you have a business mentor?  If so, who is it?

Jim Farrell from PR First! (Hanover, MA) has always been a great sounding board for me. We talk about industry trends and bounce ideas off of each other.

How has your business been affected by the current economy?

While business has slowed somewhat in the past year, I’m starting to see a lot more clients wanting to reinvest in marketing efforts in ways they haven’t before.  I think people are taking more time to focus on promoting themselves and cultivating new business.

Tell us an inspirational or humorous story about your business?

In 2003, I was approached by the nonprofit women’s organization “Reach Beyond Domestic Violence” to do some pro-bono work for one of their campaigns. I got involved with their celebrity/artist plate auction and learned a lot about the work they do to uplift victims of domestic violence.  I’ve designed several plates for them as a way to use my skills to support the cause.

If you could go back in time, would you change anything?

If I could go back, I would like to do it all over again! Starting and growing my business was a fun and challenging endeavor. I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to run a successful business.

Finally, give the address of the business, and the contact information..

Marie McConnell, Principle

800 Hingham Street, Suite 200N

Rockland, MA  02370

p. 781.792.0554

e. marie@mcconnelldesign.com

1. Give a brief description of your business.  What product(s) or service do you provide, and what sets you apart   from others?

We are a comprehensive design/ build firm offering design services, including space planning, and color and texture consultation. We retail materials; cabinetry, countertops, tile, hardwood and stone flooring, plumbing products like tubs, toilets, sinks and faucets, lighting, and all of the installation and construction. We specialize in kitchens and baths but do closets systems, garage storage and office systems as well.

2. How long have you been in business, and how did you get involved in this business?

Craig Ricciarelli and I opened the business in 2006, but I have designed thousands of kitchens and baths on the South Shore over 25 years. Craig came from the Marine industry and has been remodeling for 7 or 8 years. We saw a need in the area for good, affordable design and decided collaboration like transitions was the way to go!

3. How many employees do you have?

We have five employees beside Craig and me, three designers and two carpenters.

4. What do you want people to know about you and/or your business?

We work very hard to make your “transition” from old to new a pleasure! Remodeling doesn’t have to be daunting!

5. What are some of the pitfalls one faces when owning one’s own business?

In the end, we forget the pitfalls!

I love kitchen and bath design and our designers are passionate about design too. Knowing our clients enter their new kitchen every day and think “I love my new kitchen!” is huge!

6. What is the best business advice you’ve received during your career?

Have you heard “don’t sweat the small stuff”? The truth is, you have to sweat the small stuff because it IS the small stuff that matters!

7. Do you have a business mentor?  If so, who is it?

My business partner Craig is a great businessman and a great mentor!

8. How has your business been affected by the current economy?

Of course the economy affects every business but having experienced soft markets before, we know how to deal with it. Stick to fundamentals, offer good service and fair prices.

9.  Tell us an inspirational or humorous story about your business?

Well, we had a toilet display in the showroom and a young mom and her potty training tot were browsing when the little guy took it upon himself to proudly use the potty “all by himself”… red faces all around!

10. If you could go back in time, would you change anything?

We all have 20/20 hindsight… but no regrets. Transitions Kitchens and Baths is a life long dream come true!

Finally, give the address of the business, and the contact information..

Barry Lane, Managing Designer

Transitions Kitchens and Baths

171 Washington Street

Norwell, MA 02061

781.871.0881

781.871.0888 fax

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