"Why don't I go into business for myself instead of working for those numbskulls back at the office." That's a common, unstated fantasy for millions of American workers.
Alas, the vast majority of these imaginary-entrepreneurs fail to act on their thoughts. They continue to labor in their predictable positions, shackled to the regularity of their paychecks as they mutter to themselves about what could be, if only they were in charge.
However, a miniscule percentage of these dreamers dare to follow through on their thoughts. A prime example is a veteran accountant and financial professional in Springfield, Mo.
Back in 2004, after 26 years of working for retail and banking firms, accountant Tom Clarke acted on his dream of enterprise ownership. Today his company - Digital Transcription Services - reaches out to a national clientele in the healthcare industry by providing medical transcripts.
"I decided to own my own business (because) I was tired of people above me making poor decisions that impacted my life and that I could do nothing about," says Clarke.
Why did he decide to buy a medical transcription service two years ago?
"It had everything I was looking for: a national presence, technology, people, sales, customer service and growth potential," the entrepreneur says about his company, which is in an industry where he had no previous experience.
Clarke, a CPA, more than compensated for that lack of medical transcription knowledge by having a well-honed understanding of business. DTS was on solid footing when he bought it. The firm's previous owner, Blake Souter, left Clarke a stable of experienced employees, a sizeable roster of clients, and a well-defined business model. What Clarke needed was more leads on potential clients.
Souter helped him with this need too urging Clarke to contact the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MO PTAC), part of the University of Missouri Extension Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC) program. MO PTAC helps link businesses with the needs of various government agencies at the federal, state and local levels.
Clarke noted the suggestion and within a month of taking over DTS he contacted Bill Stuby, Columbia-based procurement specialist with MO PTAC.
The fledgling owner was hoping to better understand the government procurement process, especially certain aspects of completing bid applications. Stuby was the man for the job.
"Bill Stuby and MO PTAC understand the government contracting business and are willing to do whatever they can to help me be more successful in winning more government business for my company, which creates more jobs in Missouri," says Clarke.
As evidence to support his assertion, Clarke points to three five-year contracts he has received in the last few months from the federal Veterans Administration for medical transcription services: a $300,000 award from the VA's Medical Center in Altoona, Pa.; a $900,000 contract with the VAMC in Marion, Ill.; and a $500,000 agreement with the VA facility in Poplar Bluff.
In addition, Stuby has alerted DTS to other VA requests-for-bid on medical transcription services, such as a recent call from the VA hospital at Leavenworth, Kan.
Clarke finds MO PTAC timely and targeted: "They know specific people that can help and, they have a number of good ideas that might help grow your business."
As a result of the firm's achievements, Digital Transcription Services will represent MO PTAC at the second annual Client
Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Thursday, Feb. 9, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.
At that event hosted by the MO SBDC, Clarke and more than a dozen other owners of outstanding Missouri companies will meet with legislators to discuss their products and services. They also will be recognized for their contributions to the economic development of the state of Missouri. Recognition from MO SBDC will be accompanied by legislative resolutions presented by each company's district state senator and state representative.
For more information on the services of the MO PTAC program, call Stuby at 573-882-9398 or e-mail him at stubyb@missouri.edu
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