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For Richer & For Poorer
Three area couples chart careers married to their businesses — and to each other
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Business New Haven
4/1/2002
By: Anne-Marie Brungard
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Rich & Sue Gabriele
Elm City Computing
1334 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
(203) 777-7763
www.elmcitycomputing.com
Rich Gabriele purchased Bulldog Computers in 1996 and immediately changed the name to Elm City Computing. Bulldog previously focused on training and equipment sales, but Gabriele quickly realized that any success in the business would have to come from change.
“Connecticut was over-populated with computer training outfits at the time,” said Gabriele, “A lot of people were doing break-fix, and I wanted to go beyond that.” After assessing her customers' needs, Gabriele astutely shifted the focus to signify the company's new vision to excel in computer service and consulting.
Adjustment and change seems to be the order of the day for Gabriele. As he was establishing his business and adapting to business ownership, he met, fell in love with and married British-born Sue Gabriele in 1998.
Although Sue Gabriele has a strong art background including museum management, she made a commitment to work in and help the business to grow.
“The first year-and-a-half we were adjusting to the marriage and those changes were amplified in the business too.” But she notes that now both partners have adjusted to each others' personalities. For the 'discovery' period, one is adjusting to a new husband or wife and also a partner at work. It takes time to get to know each other, each person's strengths, weaknesses and just plain personality differences.
For example, Sue Gabriele felt more inclined to manage the administrative end of the business. She was not technically inclined and her orderly style and approach was needed. So while she handles the taxes, billing and marketing materials, Rich is free to manage the consulting, trouble-shooting and technical aspects of the business.
This couple took the hard line approach and established boundaries and priorities early on in both their personal and business relationships.
“We had to set expectations for each other as well as the company,” said Sue Gabriele. Drawing clear lines that would establish how they would conduct themselves personally while they were in their business environment.
“It is working,” adds Rich Gabriele, “This is clearly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of our parts.”
Rich Gabriele attributes the company's growth over the last two years to the couple's intense focus and commitment. “The business has been steadily growing each year,” said Gabriele, and much of the growth is attributed to their one-to-one marketing efforts.
Both partners are active members of the Fairfield and New Haven chapters of Business Network International, a networking and leads group. “We rely heavily on word of mouth, so our customers must have something good to say about us.” Sue Gabriele adds, “Making it in the computer business is tough…our focus with customers is making it an absolute pleasure to do business with us.” Apparently, in the customer service department, Sue's pronounced British accent doesn't hurt either.
Sue and Rich Gabriele, still considered newlyweds, are growing a business that is built in part on the strength of their personal relationship. For this couple, clearly the word 'relationship' is not a dirty word.
The business is growing and so too is their family. More adjustments to come.
John & Heather Profetto
Rainbow Gardens Inn
117 North Broad Street
Milford, CT
(203) 878-2500
www.bbonline.com/ct/rainbow
John and Heather Profetto find the bed and breakfast industry to be ideal for raising their children, building their marriage and developing their business.
Both John and Heather had previous experience in the restaurant business. John worked in his family-owned restaurant and bakery business. Heather, a graduate of New York's Culinary Institute of America, spent a short while in Boston and was later introduced to John by her former boyfriend. John and Heather decided to help Meg (John's sister) expand her restaurant business and their relationship as well as the business flourished.
Now in its sixth year, Rainbow Gardens Inn has grown in sales and reputation and is currently located on Milford's historic district in a renovated mansion on the green. The restaurant and inn caters to customers from throughout the region, including, Branford, Hamden and Fairfield. Some Long Island residents enjoy the ability to bring their boats into the marina, dock and enjoy lunch or dinner.
But what is life really like when your life partner is your business partner and you add three boys and an infant in the mix too? This is a whole new take on multi-tasking. John's experience growing up in a family business influenced his decision to raise his children in much the same way. “Our married life is our business life and our business life is our married life,” Heather Profetto said. “We entwine them together, when you make the commitment to marriage, you make the same commitment to the business.” The Profettos have chosen not to put their children in daycare. So at times it is difficult juggling work responsibilities with children in tow. “It's a family business, our children are growing up in the business…it can be trying, but we are willing to make the sacrifices,” added John.
The Profettos (who will be celebrating their tenth anniversary this year) were in business together for approximately one and a half years prior to their marriage, so they had some opportunities to adjust to differences in personality and work styles. Both concur that keeping the lines of communication open is key to a successful business-personal life. “We work harder to find solutions,” said Heather. Keeping in mind that you face your partner for almost 24 hours a day - so holding grudges is not an option. “You learn to pick your battles and let things roll off your back,” said John Profetto, “We are resourceful in our business and children's lives…lighthearted and forgiving.”
For the practical everyday aspects of the business, John and Heather Profetto share responsibilities. John, with his business background, manages the administrative and staffing components, while Heather leads in the culinary (food, chefs and supplies) area. “We make a lot of lists, juggling one thing at a time, one project at a time,” admits Heather. She realizes that the details are a key aspect of the business, but has grown to trust in the fact that everything always gets done. “We are on time to every catered event with the right food in hand, and we have never forgotten one of our children's backpacks.” The Profettos are more inclined to go with the flow as it relates to family, preferring to lean away from too much routine or structure. The Profettos also juggle a slew of community and school commitments too, adding that they try to find ways to directly impact local children, like sponsoring school events or blood drives. “There is no better investment in our minds than the children,” John said. “It works,” Heather responds. “I don't know how it works, but it works!”
David & Sylvia Scudder
D & S Nameplate Manufacturers
531 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT
(203) 933-4018
The Scudders opened D & S Nameplate Manufacturers (the D & S for David and Sylvia) in 1968. The young couple at the time had small children and David always knew that he wanted to have his own business. A less than satisfying experience in the engraving business gave him the idea that he could probably make it work for himself and his family. Sylvia had spent years in the accounting department at Edward Malley's in downtown New Haven, and brought that business experience to their family business. It also gave Sylvia the opportunity to be more flexible spending time at home with their baby and reduced the need for daycare.
“I did what I knew…I started as an engraver…” said David Scudder, whose company began by manufacturing engraved nameplates, office signs, safety and instructional signs for business, civic and social organizations. The marketplace in Connecticut at that time had a larger manufacturing and industrial engineering base. The Scudders company served the industries unique needs and even added prototype panels for electronic equipment and custom engraving for special need devices. The need for this type of specialized work has slowed over the years in line with the disappearance of the larger manufacturing plants. In the early 1970's D & S was the first minority-owned company in Connecticut to be awarded an 8a (set aside) contract for the United States Postal Service. Sylvia Scudder points out that it was quite an accomplishment at that time, but the partners, like all business and family situations, weathered it together. At the request of corporate and civic customers, D & S added a line of trophies and plaques in 1975.
Over the long haul, the Scudders have stood the test of time. They have faced some predictable and some unpredictable changes in the industry and business, their building on Hamilton Street in New Haven was purchased by another company which precipitated the search for a new location and the eventual move to Campbell Avenue in West Haven in 1990. They have been challenged, like many small business owners, with fluctuating finances and a fluid workforce, at one time managing a staff of eight. “I don't think we ever formerly talked about [starting the business]…we were always close and it seemed like a natural step for us,” David said. The key for us was keeping business in the business and focusing on our home life separately added Sylvia.
The Scudders feel strongly that the strength of their business is directly related to their strength as a couple. Their family-conscious thinking also extends to the business and they have integrated themselves into the West Haven community and are known by local vendors and community organizations as “good neighbors.” David Scudder said, “We have a good rapport with local business owners…and work closely with local jewelers, etc., it's teamwork.”
D & S Nameplate Manufacturing is transitioning again. Sylvia just recently announced her formal retirement from the business and now David is adapting to the reality of managing the business without his partner of over 30 years. Future planning for the Scudders now includes not only monitoring and adjusting for changes in the industry and potentially hiring staff to handle Sylvia's responsibilities, but also preparing the second generation of Scudders to continue the family business.
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