Good Things Come in Small Companies

FIT4MOM Reading

Briefly summarize what your business does.

FIT4MOM offers prenatal and postnatal health, wellness and fitness programs for every stage of motherhood. All our programs were created by moms for moms to provide Strength in Motherhood®.

What is something you wished you knew before starting your small business?

Honestly, how hard it was going to be! I have a background in education, so owning a business is a brand-new world to me. The roller coaster ride has been amazing, for the most part, but those downhill drops can be hard!

What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business?

I have a few “most” rewarding parts for sure! We work with moms making their fitness a priority and I think that’s one of the most rewarding parts, that a mom is taking time for herself to become better physically, mentally and as a mom. Also, by mom making time for herself, her kid(s) see the importance of wellness and hopefully will grow up with that in mind.

How does your business enrich the Greater Reading area?

We bring fitness to moms while leaving the mom guilt at the door. With our stroller classes mom can bring her kid(s) with her and spend time with her kid(s) while working on her wellness. We also offer mom-only classes, which gives mom that time to step away and focus on herself. A happy and healthy mom creates a happy and healthy family.

— Kaitlyn Day

Imageworks Film & Video, Inc.

Briefly summarize what your business does.

Three decades of learning and global experience guides us in presenting commercial and corporate messages that maximize the power of still and moving images: Sound, light, and performance, perfectly packaged to persuade, touch and inform an audience. You’ll find us under a “video production company” header, but we are so much more. We are masters of our mediums.

As lead producer for Imageworks, I manage multiple clients and projects that range from script-to-screen video productions and graphic-based social media campaigns to still photography sessions. We work primarily on-location, though we do maintain studio and editing facilities at our location in Wernersville. My husband John Krawlzik, our principal cinematographer/photographer, is responsible for the outstanding visuals and technical quality that we have become known for. While working closely with corporate and advertising agency clients, we provide the expertise and creative skills essential to creating flawless video and still-image communications.

What is something you wished you knew before starting your small business?

We started our business because we wanted to do more of what we loved. Passion drives many a new venture, but passion alone is not enough to survive the fickle and competitive world of marketing and communications. Since Imageworks’ inception, we have always strived to exceed customer expectations, but going that extra mile also means working longer hours and sacrificing personal time to make sure projects are the best they can be. Owning your own small business provides more flexibility in this regard when compared to time restraints within a large company. Having a family that understands your passion and drive for perfection is a must.

In addition to time demands, building a business requires basic financial and tax planning knowledge that doesn’t come naturally to us creative types. If you’re not interested or skilled in such things, make sure to get a great accountant you can work with over a long period of time to get the most out of those long hours you’re putting in. After a few years we did just that, but I’m sure we made mistakes in the beginning that could have been avoided. Learning to delegate, both on the business side and as part of your production process, is key to success and to your own mental wellbeing.

What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business?

Driving your own bus can be a very gratifying experience. Success or failure is purely your own making. It may keep you up at night but will also bring a smile to your face when things go well. You get out what you put in.

Managing our own workload and schedule also leaves room to invest in personal creative projects. Fresh Ground Pictures, our side arm for feature films, documentaries and technical advice, has taken off on YouTube. In addition to finished projects, Fresh Ground has become a platform that provides industry comment and camera tech videos — anything from refurbishing vintage cameras to shooting and developing 35mm film.

How does your business enrich the Greater Reading area?

Imageworks brings big market skills and talent to Berks and surrounding counties at a price point significantly lower than metropolitan markets. We give local businesses high-end resources to market products or train employees, using big-league technology and seasoned personnel. When a company is ready to move from cell-phone production to polished moving images, or if they just need a photographer to shoot an event or team portraits, we are here to help. Outsourcing these services and working on a higher production level can instantly give a small company big global reach. And if you’re a larger company, you already know how essential it is to establish a more polished visual image.

We’ve been a part of this community for over 30 years, providing countless in-kind video programs for local non-profit organizations and fundraising campaigns. Our work takes us around the world, but we still feel most at home in our own Berks backyard. Giving our time and skills to those most in need will always have a place in our workflow.

— Lorrie King

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Mary Kay Cosmetics

Briefly summarize what your business does.

As a Mary Kay Sales Director, I am in the field conducting “hands on” pampering appointments with both men and women. I show them how to take care of their skin with the products I love and stand behind. I also teach and show women how to choose and wear color cosmetics that may be best suited for them. Also, as the role of a Sales Director, I am leading, mentoring and educating women and men on how to build their own successful Mary Kay businesses.

What is something you wished you knew before starting your small business?

I have been building my Mary Kay business for almost 30 years. Prior to Mary Kay, I was in the education field. I wish I would have known sooner that Mary Kay emphasizes more about educating people about the products rather than the stereotype of selling — I would have started sooner! My gift is teaching, and I love making an impact, which allows me to build relationships while I help people look good and feel good about themselves.

What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business?

The most rewarding part of owning my small business is having the flexibility of making my own hours and having the decision of how much I make depending on the amount of time I am willing to work.

How does your business enrich the Greater Reading area?

Since Mary Kay’s mission is to enrich others’ lives with our products and opportunity, I feel building a Mary Kay business in the Greater Reading area and beyond, has allowed me to reach out to many people of different backgrounds and cultures. Sitting with and educating them on healthy skin and makeup artistry knowledge has given me the opportunity to carry on my mission of building healthy self-esteems and confidence. My motto is, “When you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you DO good.”

— Shelley Townsley

Media Creation Professionals

Briefly summarize what your business does.

Media Creation Professionals specializes in affordable, highestquality video production for businesses of all sizes and types. Recruitment, HR, retention, safety, product intro or corporate image and public relations, we’re the right choice — every time.

What is something you wished you knew before starting your small business?

Prior to starting my business, I had no concept of having a mentor. I was lucky to meet a mentor shortly after starting my business, and the mentor helped me understand the “10,000-foot view,” rather than the smaller view of “what’s going to happen today or tomorrow.” My mentor explained true costs, true profits and most importantly, setting funds aside for a rainy day. There have been plenty of rainy days in my four decades of self-employment, and thankfully, I’ve been prepared for them all. No matter what business you’re starting or growing, a mentor will likely be your most valued business asset. Mine certainly was.

What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business?

The most rewarding aspect of owning and running a small business is the ability to employ others in stable, enjoyable careers that are truly portable from one company to the next. When we place our employees — whether full time, part time or subcontractors — in front of our own needs, they recognize it and return that loyalty many times over.

How does your business enrich the Greater Reading area?

Media Creation Professionals brings “big city” video production values to the Greater Reading area without the high prices typically associated with high-end video production. Experience on five continents and over 30 countries, for small firms and global powerhouses, positioned us to provide affordable, high-quality video production first time, every time. We’re honored to have many first-time customers become long-term clients. We treat those we work for with great respect and make every customer feel like they are our biggest account. We love what we do, and it shows! Call us first. You’ll be glad you did!

— Robin Gilmore

What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business?

Supporting entrepreneurs and leaders to achieve outcomes in a way they thought was impossible. Balancing greatness is about creating space so new perspectives emerge and new ways of being are accessible.

How does your business enrich the Greater Reading area?

Supporting entrepreneurs and leaders to be their best selves and resilient is key to the prosperity of our community. Our community counts on our entrepreneurs and leaders having a healthy mindset and approach to business and life.

— Audrey Simmons CQ

sales skill, marketing professional and unwavering care for her clients.

The ultimate professional, Lisa is the #1 Top Producing Century 21 Agent in the State of PA, and is consistently ranked in the Top 100 in the US., but proudest of her ranking in Berks County. Lisa cares about the communities she serves, and it shows in her commitment to others.

In these challenging times, Lisa never waivers in her objective to help her clients reach their objective. It is always about YOU. When you are ready to buy or sell, Team up with the Tiger!