With all that is involved in running a small business, it may be difficult to
see how energy efficiency should be a high priority.  Energy-efficient buildings use less energy, cost less to operate and improve comfort, saving money for businesses.  Learn more at our upcoming seminar on May 17.  

Have you ever thought how great it would be to roll your chair away from your desk, lean back and yell to the head of your company, “Hey, what do you think about this idea?” No setting up a meeting with his or her secretary…no sending a memo…no going to your supervisor, who goes to his or her supervisor, who somehow finally makes it to the C-level executives with your idea (which by the way is nothing like your actual idea once it has been translated several times). And to make it even better, while you’re yelling your idea, a co-worker hears and adds a thought or two…and pretty soon your entire company has developed a way to make your product better for your customers. This is Azalea Health Innovations.

This Valdosta-based company has been running full speed ahead since it won the Chamber’s Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition in 2008. What started as three friends looking at how each of their professional competencies could mesh together to create a company, has now grown 25 employees and this year, expanded to open a branch in Savannah. With the help of the Valdosta community, the SEEDS Business Resource Center and VSU’s Small Business Development Center AHI was able to fast-track its success—something that wouldn’t have been as easy and may not have happened in a larger community. “We were championed by the local community,” said Doug Swords, CFO.

Azalea Health Innovations, Inc. is a leading provider in cloud-based electronic health records software (EHR), practice management software (PM), and revenue cycle management services (RCM). Azalea products provide continuity that unifies both the medical and financial aspects of today's healthcare provider. The company prides itself on being user-centered and agile. “Our programs feature numerous places for feedback. Our clients are designing the features for us,” said Swords. Because of Azalea Health’s size and structure, if a client has a problem it can be fixed or changed quickly. The service-driven model and ability to customize its product for each customer is what AHI feels sets the company apart.

For more information, visit www.azaleahealth.com.

When Randy Sharp graduated from University of Denver, he had his choice of jobs in major cities, but he chose Valdosta. After years of working with a local telephone companies, Randy decided to go out on his own and start a full-service technology company.

Ten years later, Randy’s VisionQuest Technologies conducts business for Federal Government contracts and jobs for Fortune 500 companies—with much of the work done remotely from right here in our community.

VisionQuest is a licensed telecom contractor and can do cabling, fiber optics, telephone systems, voice-over IP and complete networks just to name a few. Because the majority of work for VisionQuest was tied to networking and wiring in new construction or remodeling, during this economic downturn Randy and his team have been creative in looking for new business. “Because we are a small company, we’re nimble. Our business model is flexible; we can adapt.” The company has taken on more jobs in the growing healthcare sector and has made its services more customizable for its customers.

Randy sees the value in the talent at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Bringing in students with fresh ideas helps VisionQuest, “stay a step ahead,” which keeps the excitement and challenge in the work for Randy. “We are always thinking three to four years ahead. We like to stay out in front,” he says.

Randy believes that technology can save businesses money. He even offers a free technology audit to assess how implementing current technology can increase your bottom line. Services offered include cabling, telephone system installation and service, VOIP, IT Deployment. If you are interested in this for your business, contact Randy at visionquest@vqtech.com or visit his website at www.vqtech.com.

While finalizing his master’s degree at Kansas State University Bill Kent learned there was a need for a traffic engineer in Valdosta. Not sure about taking the position or moving all the way to Georgia, Bill came down for an interview. Stepping off the plane to Valdosta’s sunshine and barely winter climate after having boarded amidst feet of Kansas snow was enough to convince Bill to choose Valdosta—at least for a few years.

Well a few years became permanent after Bill became accustomed to southern hospitality and decided to open his own engineering firm here. Bill found himself in a supportive and encouraging community that had a “nice professional network” and in a “supportive business atmosphere.” Innovate! Engineering Solutions provides civil engineering services, surveying and environmental engineering. Innovate! is the winner of the 2010 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition, which allowed Bill to take his firm to the next level.

Bill is active in the community, participating in Rotary, involved in the Chamber, serves on the Board of Directors for the South Georgia United (SGU) Soccer Club as the Executive Vice-President, supports high school sports and spending time with his family: his wife, Johnna, their 13 year-old-twin girls and 15-year-old son (who is a kicker for the Valdosta Wildcats).

So how does someone like Bill do it all? In his words, “I’ve learned that having the right people on your team is the key.” Although it’s difficult for Bill to “toot his own horn”, his team shares what a humble person he is with the ability to prioritize, manage his time well and balance time at home and time at work.

Innovate! has plans for growth in the future. In fact, the firm anticipates that it will double in size within the next five years—many of which will be knowledge-based positions. Wow!

Visit www.innovatees.com.