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Name: Mary E. Caffrey
Age: 35
Company Name: MC Unlimited
Company Address: 39 Ridge Road, Suite 6A, Dayton, NJ 08810
Type of Business: Marketing Firm
Years Incorporated: N/A -- We are a "sole proprietorship."
Previous Job: Marketing Manager for Scientific Services Co., Inc. in Rocky Hill, NJ
Education:AS Degree, Office Management, Cumberland County College; BA, Marketing New York University

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1. What is your official job title? Is there a more whimsical description that might be more accurate?

My job title is "president."

2. What was the inspiration for starting your own business?

The inspiration for starting my own business is somewhat of a long story, but to give you the Reader's Digest Version... In the early summer of 1994, I found out I had leukemia. I did not want to go on disability, but also knew I would be unable to continue working outside my home as the Marketing Manager for Scientific Services Company in Rocky Hill, NJ. I opened my business by registering myself with the county where I live, and investing in a computer, modem and the software I would need to continue my job duties from my home.

Slowly but surely, "word of mouth" about my work began to spread. After the cancer went into remission during the summer of 1995, I opened a real office and have enjoyed much success since. Although my beginnings in my own business were rather unusual, it is something I have never regretted doing and I could not imagine working for someone else again! (By the way... my former employer was my first "client" and continues to be my largest client!)

3. What makes your company unique?

Our company is unique in that we give ALL of our clients, large and small, the same personalized services and consideration. We pride ourselves on being a "cost-effective" means of promoting or marketing someone's business and we allow the business owner full say in how we represent their company. Another thing that makes us unique is that we "walk the talk". Our company is completely telecommunications based, which allows us to provide our clients with the BEST and highest quality artwork, printing, promotion, products, Web sites, etc., WITHOUT costing them the highest amount of money!

4. How did your college major/graduate school degree help prepare you for your career?

To be honest, my college studies didn't do a lot to help me prepare for my career path. I certainly received great instruction in how to market, but it was working within my field and gaining practical experience that truly taught me/prepared me for my career. I think the degree only helped me "get in the door" and maybe placed my resume a bit higher in the stack when interviewing.

5. What necessary career information was missing from your studies? How did you pick up those skills and information?

What was missing from my studies was the opportunity to speak with people who were actually working within the marketing field and see how the book knowledge was applied in "real life." As I said, I picked up those skills after graduation and on the job. I was very fortunate to always find a place where someone took the time to "mentor" me in the finer or more important points of marketing.

6. What difficulties did you encounter starting your business?

It was difficult getting people to believe that even though your body isn't fully functional, your brain still is. It was also VERY difficult (almost a Catch-22) to get any type of financing until I had been in business for two full years -- but I wasn't sure how to stay in business for two years without it!

7. How many hours do you work in a typical week?

I work seven days a week for a minimum of eight hours per day.

8. What three things are most frustrating about an entrepreneurship?

• very long hours
• no paycheck for your hours while building the business
• trying to be competitive without the same advertising budget as established companies or firms

9. What three things are most rewarding?

• watching the business grow and knowing it is a direct result of your hard work and decision making/planning
• being able to help other entrepreneurs become successful with their businesses and goals
• having the control to do business the way you feel it should be done

10. What three things are most fun?

• determining your own "dress code" and not having to wear blue or black business suits
• having people assume that just because you own a business, you have a ton of money (even though you don't)
• being asked to go to a local "Career Day" for elementary/junior high kids and seeing how excited you can get them about applying themselves!

11. How do you handle work stress?

To relieve stress I eat a lot of chocolate, take walks every morning or at lunch time, yell at my husband and kids (kidding) or just try and avoid it by not taking on projects that I feel will be more trouble than they are worth.

12. How big a role does technology play in your career path?

Technology plays a HUGE role in my business. As I said, we are pretty much telecommunications based and work on and with the Internet all the time.

13. How do you distinguish yourself from others in your work?

I fight for the "little guy." I don't price my work so that my clients are paying for a ridiculous overhead that I've created to look cool, and I'm as honest as the most honest person you'll ever find.

14. What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

If you want to start your own business, then go for it. Life is way too short to not at least try something. Even if you fail, you can always say you tried and will never end up later in life wondering "what if"... BUT, prepare yourself (realistically) for long hours, little pay and find the rewards you can, when you can, that aren't necessarily monetary.

15. Which popular song best describes your working life?

"I'm Still Standing"