PrintBarbara Miller, 66
Business: Miller Paper, an Amarillo, Texas-based distributor of paper, paper products, and janitorial and office supplies to 4,500 customers in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Miller was named Texas Small Business Person of the Year for 2000. She went on to take second place in the SBA's National Small Business Person of the Year awards.
Revenue: $8 million
Employees: 30 full-time and 3 part-time
Year founded: 1995
Previous life: Spent 32 years with another paper company. Started in an entry-level administrative position and worked her way up to president.
Why went into business: When the founder of the company I was working for passed away, the heirs who took over the business wanted to do things I knew wouldn't work. We didn't see eye to eye. The founder and his wife were dear friends of mine. They cared about people. But the heirs thought people were disposable. They created all kinds of chaos, and after about three years it reached the point of no return. I resigned, and in a matter of days I started my business with 15 employees from the old company.
Was most scared about: I don't think I was scared. I felt confident with the experience and contacts I had. The first year we lost $154,000, but I didn't think about giving up. I felt like we were on this bucking bronco, the chute was open and we had to hang on.
Best thing about being your own boss: Total freedom to make decisions quickly.
Average day like: No two days are alike, but I usually get up around 6:00 a.m. I live about five miles from the office, and I'm usually at work by 7:30 a.m. I'm a morning person. I get more accomplished before noon. Sometimes I leave work at 5:30 p.m., but sometimes I'm here until 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. I'm usually in the office for a good part of the day on Saturday and sometimes on Sunday afternoons. I chair the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, and that takes part of my day.
Biggest daily challenge: Keeping employees and customers calm. People get upset, and I have to say, "Let's stop and think this thing through." My best solution to an irate customer is to say, "What do you think needs to be done to resolve this problem?" It puts the ball in their court, and it works.
Biggest life challenge: I'm a cancer survivor. A year after I started the business I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I went through stem cell and bone marrow treatments and chemotherapy. While I was going through chemo, the first place I would head after treatment was the office. I needed to be around productive activity. I had a bed set up in the warehouse, and when I got to a low point I'd lie down and rest for a while. At that point in my life, the business did more good for me than I did for the business. The survival rate for this type of cancer is generally two years, but it's been four years since I was diagnosed, and my doctor says things look excellent.
Best source of advice and support: The Lord. I try to be patient, I look to the Lord for strength and guidance, and I never give up. There's always an answer if you look hard enough.
Separate business and personal life: There's not a lot of separation. I've been a widow for 11 years. My church is my social life. To me, the business is fun. I love it and enjoy it so much.
Reward to self: A major trip every year. Last year I did China and Singapore, and this year it will be an Alaskan cruise.
Hopeful retirement age: I was 61 when I started the business, and my children said, "You should be slowing down, not speeding up. Retirement is not on my agenda. I will go out feet first."
— Francy Blackwood
