When asked, many entrepreneurs will say the path to small-business ownership was one they were born to take. Maxine Glazebrook is not one of those types of people.
“I never dreamed that I’d be an owner of a business or be anyone’s employer, but the opportunity presented itself,” Glazebrook said. “I already had a good list of clients that I liked and I knew that if I went somewhere different I’d have to start over for no good reason, so I went for it.”
Glazebrook, 64, bought A-1 Hearing Aid Centers Inc. about a decade ago after working for the 71-year-old company for only a year.
A-1 has offices in the North Park area and San Marcos, and has been around since 1935, providing both retail products and service help to a wide variety of customers.
“It’s the best time ever to have a hearing loss,” she said, referring to the 100 percent digital, fully automated devices on the market today.
A-1 clients include musicians and swimmers who need to protect their ears, as well as people who can hear but are suffering a loss of hearing and need to obtain, properly use and maintain hearing aids.
Glazebrook, who has won two awards for her ethics from the Better Business Bureau since taking ownership of A-1, was introduced to the market by a man she sold shutters to.
“I’m not sure why,” Glazebrook said. “I guess he just liked my personality and thought I was a good salesperson.”
Although the man’s initial promise of a more rewarding job enticed Glazebrook, she declined to switch jobs on a whim. But after some time had passed, Glazebrook called the man back and went to work for him, before eventually buying him out.
It was a decision that apparently has paid off for Glazebrook, whose company’s revenues exceed $500,000 a year.
VITALS
Name: Maxine J. Glazebrook.
Title: President/owner.
Company: A-1 Hearing Aid Centers Inc.
Company address: 2934 Lincoln Ave., San Diego 92104.
Company phone: (619) 283-8400 in San Diego; (760) 632-8000 in North County.
Year founded: 1935.
Prior business experience: Shutter designer, photographer, dental technician.
Average hours worked weekly: 60-70.
Source of startup capital: Personal savings.
2005 revenue: $570,446.
2004 revenue: $583,426.
Number of employees: Three.
Web site: www.a1hearing.com.
BACKGROUND
Birthplace: New Orleans.
Education: SD Medical/Dental College, certified by American Conference of Audioprosthology.
Age: 64.
Current residence: San Diego.
Family: Husband, Bill Glazebrook, two daughters, two stepsons and four grandchildren, Ryan, 17, Kennedy, 5, Jake, 4, Lily, 2 (and two dogs named Skipper and Sassy).
Hobbies: Boating, photography, reading.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Reason for getting into business: It is very gratifying helping people realize the benefits of better hearing.
How I plan to grow the business: More networking and more advertising.
Biggest plus of business ownership: Being able to make my own decisions that can best benefit my clients.
Biggest drawback: Long hours.
Biggest business strength: Our reputation for honesty and integrity, customer service and longevity.
Biggest business weakness: Mass marketing.
Smartest business decision: Hiring my daughter to manage the business.
Biggest business mistake: Being too trusting of others.
Biggest ongoing challenge: Maintaining market share among larger corporations.
The most important part of my business: Client satisfaction.
My business works best when: When we have happy employees and happy clients.
Best way to stay competitive: Keeping up to date with the latest technology in the industry, and continuously implementing plans to get greater patient satisfaction.
How I measure success: Happy clients referring their friends to us.
GOALS
Goals yet to be achieved: Would like to see growth with more satellite offices.
My five-year business plan: To successfully turn over the business to someone who cares about my clients as much as I do.
I would sell my business only if: I accomplish my goals.
Guiding principles I will continue to follow: Always give my best, be honest and fair and strive for 100 percent client satisfaction.
