Rising Stars: Brenda and Carlton Oneal
Names: Brenda and Carlton Oneal Ages: Brenda 48, Carlton 47 Residence: Hamden Occupations: Owners of Light Speed, a management consulting firm specializing in leadership development and interactive communications. They serve a nationwide client base in the entertainment, pharmaceutical and not-for-profit industries. Clientele includes Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Purdue Pharma. Biography: Self-employment has long been a goal of this husband-and-wife team. "While we were dating, we talked about each having within a small group setting." Small groups exist throughout all levels of business, she points out. She spent nine years working in sales and marketing for IBM before striking out on her own. Her work in leadership development is a passion. "It's something I can never say 'no' to - talking with people about how they can take the next step," she says.With a biology background, Carlton Oneal began his career in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, working for Merck and then Bayer. His experience as district manager sparked his interest in developing and coaching others. After 17 years in the corporate world, he joined forces with Brenda to found Light Speed. "We both came to an interest in leadership development from different directions," he says.
Achievements: Light Speed was named Supplier of the Year in 2004 by the Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, which helps first-rate minority-owned companies sell to large corporate customers.
The Oneals describe additional achievements.
"Seeing clients really grow is a great achievement," says Carlton Oneal. One success story is Empower New Haven, a non-profit agency that serves the city's federally designated Empowerment Zone. Says ENH CEO Althea Marshall Richardson, "When [our agency] experienced a 70-percent decrease from our primary funding source, Light Speed helped me to verbalize and concretize the vision of who we could be as an unconventional non-profit." After working with the Oneals, "The staff was able to identify new partnerships and collaborations with other agencies, as well as identify and secure new funding sources," Richardson adds.
In addition, "[We're proud of] being able to step out of our corporate roles and still maintain our livelihood," says Carlton Oneal. Adds his wife, "When you first give all that up - that's a shock."
Goals: "We want to grow the business until we have about ten full-time employees," says Carlton Oneal. He explains that Light Speed's business model is that of a "vertical integrator" - an organization with specialists who collectively outsource non-core-competency functions such as accounting or graphics. He contrasts this with a so-called virtual company, which exists to pull together and manage sources for a project.
Speaking of goals, the Oneals have advice for other would-be entrepreneurs.
"If you stay true to your dream or goal, you can accomplish it," says Carlton Oneal. "We have stayed very true to our strengths." Adds Brenda Oneal, "Have the courage to say 'no' to things that are not in your strong suit, because ultimately they can do you harm."
