Friday, November 06, 2009
Success stems from focus on customer satisfaction
Bobby Lewis Burrell
Priscilla Richardson is columnist The Botetourt View. You can contact her at 981-3430 or via e-mail.
Priscilla Richardson
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Single and successful, Fincastle's Bobby -- "not Robert," he warns -- Lewis Burrell owns and runs two businesses and is looking for more. However, he's not telling where he's looking for his next move. "It has to be the right fit." However, I did talk to him on his cell phone from the Atlanta airport where he got stuck on what he called a business trip. Be watching this man!
Botetourt through and through, Burrell attended Botetourt schools, graduating from Lord Botetourt High School in 1983. He played basketball there and in college, but not with any intention of turning pro. "My intention was to get a degree." Which he did, in 1987, from Roanoke College.
After a taste of the real world working for Nabisco summers while in college, he joined them full time after his graduation. Then other jobs, including one with Coors, occupied him until he went out into his own cleaning business in 2007.
"I had been doing market research for two years," he explained. "I knew that people needed good cleaning and I knew some people who had experience in the business. I started going out and gaining clientele." Using an office in his home, it only took him about a month of sales calls until he got his first client, the Bank of Fincastle. Later, he added Litesteel Technologies in Troutville, and other clients.
His motto is great customer service. He aims for 100 percent customer satisfaction, "offer them the things they need for them to come back."
So when his long time friend Cheryl Willis, the manager of the Pzaz Salon next to the Kroger at Botetourt Commons, suggested he buy Pzaz, he agreed. Open only five years, Pzaz had been voted a best in Botetourt. Willis herself wished she could have bought the place but instead she teamed up her salon and styling expertise with Burrell's management skills and money. "The future of business is in services," Willis noted.
A few refreshing changes, including new paint and some extra touches such as a hot coffee machine, and the new Pzaz opened as a Burrell business April 6 of this year. A product shelf now highlights the Arbonne products they offer. Aside from hair styling and teaching hair color techniques to employees, Willis also does makeup for clients for their special occasions.
Although most people think of it as a place for hair, Pzaz also offers manicures, pedicures, waxing, and even occasional special jewelry sales. You can go to their web site and investigate their package deals for both men and women. Yes, men like to look good, too. One nice surprise on the site: the Tuesday dates with $5.00 off for seniors.
Of course, these businesses depend on employees to deliver the great service Burrell expects. Two of his brothers, Clarence and Coleman, work in his business. "I'm always looking for good employees, qualified trustworthy people with a good work ethic." So get in touch if you want to work for him.
Burrell says "I have a passion for the business. I intend to keep the business going." His advice to those who would follow in his path? "Keep the main focus on your dreams. Live your dream every day to insure your dream comes alive." And, he adds, "Always walk around with a smile." He does that. And has a great laugh, too. Be looking for this man to make great moves in the future.
For more information on Pzaz, go to www.pzazsalonspa.com or call 540-992-4333.
My apologies: I gave the wrong telephone number to reach Kathy Terry's office with the Virginia Attorney General for help with possible scam attempts. The correct number is 540-562-3570.
