By Jessica O. Swink
Editor, Small Business Insight
Photo by Paul Chin, Jr.
Before making it to her office each morning, Caroline Taylor, says good morning to each person in her clinic.
“There is a balance when you own your own business,” Taylor says. “You can’t do it without the love and support of people who make your business work everyday.”
Before she decided to open her own full-service occupational healthcare facility in 1995, she was a nurse herself. This leaves no stone unturned in servicing the more than 1,200 local businesses in the Hampton Roads area.
Providing top-of-the-line occupational services, Taylor’s team of 16 provides everything a small business needs to be OSHA compliant as well as consulting, wellness, clinical and training programs to give employers superior healthcare for their employees. The mix of clients breaks down to about 80 percent commercial, and 20 percent state and federal.
“I have the best employees in all of Hampton Roads,” Taylor says, reflecting on some who have been with her for more than 14 years.
In terms of company growth, Taylor and her team have developed a medical software system that her company and their clients use to manage their government healthcare requirements. In the past year, revenue growth has been 30 percent.
“We keep our finger on the pulse of growth,” Taylor says. “I look at the support my employees need to keep customer service at the highest level. We monitor surveys twice a day and celebrate victories.”
Outside of work, Taylor involves herself extensively the community around her, recently accepting the position of president of the South Norfolk Civic League. She is also involved in women’s groups such as Women In Defense of Greater Hampton Roads
and the Executive Women International, expressing that these groups help support and recognize capabilities and talents in other women.
“When you get to a level of professionalism, you’re looking to support other women-owned businesses and give back, so you can be that person they can turn to,” Taylor says.
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