|
| Christie: |
When
I received the award it was just the topping on the cake.
This is one of the highlights -- It is the highlight
of my career. |
| Rudt: |
This
is "National Small Business Week." I'm Dan Rudt
with the Virginia Small Business-person of the Year.
Every
year the United States Small Business Administration honors
an exceptional entrepreneur in each state. One of this year's
award winners is the owner of Touch of Class Caterers in
Virginia Beach, Gordon Christie.
Christie
founded his catering business nine years ago by converting
an old step van into a kitchen on wheels, and renting a
few square feet in a bridal shop.
|
| Christie: |
I
would sit down with the brides and book the wedding. Then
I would go ahead and, the week of the function, pick up the
food, go to the wedding reception and put on my tuxedo, jump
out and become the maitre d' and serve the food, then go ahead
back in the truck and take the food back and do all the clean
up and so on. So it was basically a one man operation. |
| Rudt: |
Christie's
come a long way in the last nine years, from a "lone
ranger" operation to a staff of twenty full time and
dozens of part time employees. And don't think he's still
driving around in that step van! |
| Christie: |
I
have a 26,000 square foot building. We have five banquet rooms
that we're able to cater up to 850 guests with a sit down
dinner and dancing. We also have smaller meeting rooms for
a function of up to about a hundred; and then we have a wedding
chapel. |
| Rudt: |
As
you might expect, Gordon Christie attributes his success
to hard work and constant reinvestment in his business.
But
it takes more than long hours and level-headedness to earn
the Small Business-person of the Year Award. Award winners
are expected to actively contribute to their communities.
One way in which Christie does just that, is by discounting
to non-profit groups.
|
| Christie: |
When
different organizations like the Heart Association -- different
medical -- all different types of organizations would like
to hold a fund-raiser, we work with them on price, so they're
able to make a little bit more than just going to, maybe another
facility. |
| Rudt: |
Christie
also makes a practice of hiring the handicapped. |
| Christie: |
You
have them corne in and work in the kitchen and train them
on dish-washing and cleaning and such, so they're able to
go out and get better jobs in the community.
|
| Rudt: |
Virginia's
Small Business-person of the Year, Gordon Christie, is meeting
President Bush this week here in Washington. Christie's being
honored for guiding his small business through growth and
success while actively contributing to his community. How
does Christie feel about the honor? |
| Christie: |
When
I received the award it was just the topping on the cake.
This is one of the highlights -- It is the highlight
of my career.
|
| Rudt: |
With
Virginia's Small Business-person of the Year, Gordon Christie,
I'm Dan Rudt, WPGC-AM, Business Radio 1580. |
