Welcome to our WBE Spotlight Series! Today, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Tara Stuart-Adkins and Erica Finley, Directors of Focused Training and Technical Services. Join us as we delve into Tara and Erica’s entrepreneurial journey and uncover the driving force behind their success in the intersection of educational services and the energy industry.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Erica Finley and I worked together in Energy training related jobs prior to starting Focused Training and Technical Services (FTTS) for several years. When our jobs at a previous company were moved to the coast, we decided that since we had successfully grown a training sector at a previous company, that together, we would be able to combine our skills to open our own business. Erica is an amazing project manager. Her communication skills are extraordinary. Erica concentrated on project management and I handled the day to day back end business and marketing efforts. It was a natural fit and has proven to be a success!
What is a business milestone or achievement that you are most proud of?
We form lasting relationships with our clients. We nurture those relationship and provide outstanding customer service. FTTS also place a very high value on our relationships with our contractors. We care about them as people. We provide feedback and make sure they know when they’ve done a good job for us. We have operated for 11 years with no debt. We are a national certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves on our projects coming in on-time and under budget.
What challenges have you faced as a woman business owner, and how did you overcome them?
We have had some lean times over the past 11 years. We are careful with business decisions and make all financial decisions together. When we face lean times, we work harder. We market more and contact old clients. We invested in LinkedIn and put it to great use. We use a drip campaign of email, calls and LinkedIn messages to connect with new clients. We have surrounded ourselves with other quality professionals. During Covid, we quickly embraced technology and began an online networking group utilizing Microsoft Teams Video conferencing and online meetings. We think outside the box. We aren’t afraid to call or email someone we don’t know.
What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Being an entrepreneur takes grit. It takes confidence and faith. I am blessed to have a friend and colleague in Erica who I trust implicitly. We are both aware that it is unusual and of great value not only to our business but to each one of us personally to be able to lean on one another.
About Focused Training and Technical Services
Focused Training and Technical Services (FTTS) has been providing specialized training, consulting, and performance-related services to the power generation and energy industries for 11 years. We offer customized training development for operations staff and other plant disciplines, along with instruction in simulator and classroom-based settings. Our consulting services cover both generic and site-specific content. FTTS also develops e-learning solutions, including web-based and cloud-based training, and provides expert guidance on optimizing the balance between hands-on and virtual training. Through our tailored, effective learning solutions, FTTS helps energy companies enhance their workforce capabilities.
Being an entrepreneur takes grit. It takes confidence and faith.