| BC Alumna Named West Virginia’s Small Business Person of the Year (January 2007) |
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It’s often said that the true
measure of the quality of an academic institution can be found in the
success of its graduates.
If that is indeed the case, then Bluefield College has yet another
example of the quality of its academic programs as evidenced by alumna
Connie Saunders, who was recently named West Virginia’s Small Business
Person of the Year.
Saunders, a 1969 business administration graduate of Bluefield
College, earned the 2006 distinction from the West Virginia Small
Business Administration for her successful development of three small
businesses.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Saunders worked for Bluefield
Supply Company and Tazewell Industries. She also worked in the legal
field and for the West Virginia Division of Mines before beginning her entrepreneurial journey in 1986 with Beauty Escape, Inc.
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Three years after Beauty Escape, Saunders recognized the need for
personnel services in southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia and
created Saunders Staffing, Inc. With her ingenuity, an initial
investment of $3,000, one employee, some office equipment and a small
office in Bluefield, West Virginia, she began what has now grown into a
500-employee multi-state, multi-company venture with offices in
Bluefield, Princeton and Beckley, West Virginia.
“She is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word,” said Rick
Haney of the West Virginia Small Business Administration. “She’s an
entrepreneur who truly thinks out of the box. She isn’t afraid to take
chances when an opportunity arises which might improve her business.”
Saunders Staffing is an experienced employment-contracting firm, which
provides permanent placement for individuals and support for
organizations.
“One of the greatest strengths of Saunders Staffing is its
flexibility to meet customers’ needs by listening to them and adjusting
their policies and procedures accordingly,” Haney said. “Another
advantage is being a local, hometown company that knows its customer
base.”
In addition to Saunders Staffing, Saunders created and operates
Personnel Pool, a closely held sister company, which broadens the reach
and services of Saunders Staffing. In addition, she is president and
chief executive officer of C.S. Services, a consulting company. |
| “She is a tireless worker, dedicated to her profession,” Haney
added. “She possesses a wealth of business savvy and knowledge, and she
is always willing to share her knowledge among her colleagues.” | |
Saunders works closely with the West Virginia Small Business
Development Center and serves as chair of the Region One Workforce
Women’s Business Center Advisory Board. She is also an active supporter
of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) in Beckley, and she participates
in the mentoring and networking services offered by the WBC.
“She recognizes the importance of community and economic development
as a whole, without which her businesses would not be successful,”
Haney said. “She is dedicated to supporting the Bluefield area and its
people through her businesses and through various community
organizations.”
Saunders is a member of the Bluefield Sales Executive Club, the
Bank of Tazewell County Advisory Board, the South Bluefield Merchants
Association, the Bluefield Lions Club, the Bluefield, Virginia Economic
Development Authority, the Bluefield, West Virginia Economic
Development Board, and a variety of committees for the Greater
Bluefield Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to being named West Virginia’s Small Business Person of
the Year, she received Bluefield College’s Volunteer of the Year Award
in 2005. She is also a member of BC’s Presidential Board of Advisors
and a strong supporter of the school’s Scholarship Auction. Her three
daughters also attended Bluefield College.
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