Judy Sheppard President & CEO, Professional Services of America
Tell us about your business.
Professional Services of America provides services in professional recruitment, contract employees and project and facility management.
What inspired you to start your own business?
When you’ re working for another company and you put in numerous hours, you start asking,“ Should I start doing this on my own?” Starting my own company sounded advantageous.
How has being located in West Virginia been beneficial to you?
Being a West Virginia business has actually helped me more than anything. I will just tell it like it is— West Virginia likes to do business with West Virginia. We like to keep the money here. Senator Joe Manchin once said that if we would all take care of our own back yard, everything would go great. That is very true. If we can partner, if we can work together and keep West Virginia strong and keep the dollars here— that’ s what it’ s about at the end of the day.
What advice would you give other West Virginians interested in entrepreneurialism?
The best advice I can give anyone is to look for good teaming and strategic partners. Honesty and integrity are the most important things. If you can’ t do something, tell them you can’ t do it.
How can West Virginia encourage more entrepreneurs, and why is this important for the future of the state?
We need to encourage people to start businesses because that’ s really what’ s holding America together. West Virginia could also really help its people by encouraging West Virginia companies to do business with West Virginia companies. Another opportunity is small business roundtables where we can bring to the state’ s attention what we’ re struggling with and let them know how they can help us overcome some of these obstacles. •
Entrepreneur Spotlights
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WWW. WVEXECUTIVE. COM FALL 2017
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