Face to Face - May 2001

Face to Face

Name: Dan Hughes

Title: President

Company: Suburban Graphics, Inc.

Location: Las Vegas

Type of Business: Full-service graphics firm, specializing in designing and producing graphics for gaming devices, indoor/outdoor signage, backlit signs and vehicle wraps.

Years in Nevada: 27

Years with Company: 17

Our company has been averaging a growth rate of about 15 percent since we started, and we have doubled in size in the last four years, so my biggest challenges are dealing with growth and properly staffing all the new positions created. As a vendor, I find that I’m under pressure on one side from employees who want to be paid more, and on the other side from clients who want me to lower prices.

I have made some good guesses about the future and some choices that have tremendously impacted my bottom line. However, I’m proudest that I was able to balance my personal life with my fast-growing business and find time to spend with my kids while they were growing up.

Underestimating my competitors and the lengths they were willing to go to steal my clients. I allowed some of them to get an edge on me, and it cost me.

Most Valuable Lesson Learned:

I have learned to appreciate good employees, and I try to express my appreciation whenever I can. My second biggest mistake is probably taking employees for granted.

We want to become a supermarket for graphic needs, to be one of the largest providers of graphic services on the West Coast.

To maximize your profits, stay heavily involved with your company and maintain control. Never forget the philosophy you had when you started your business.

Name: Lou Emmert

Title: Vice President and General Manager

Company: Sprint

Location: Las Vegas

Type of Business: Telecommunications. Sprint offers wired and wireless communications, is a major carrier of Internet traffic, and also offers broadband service.

Years in Nevada: 8

Years with Company: 30

Keeping up with the growth in Southern Nevada, in terms of capital expenditures as well as human resources. It’s also a challenge managing the rapid changes occurring in the telecommunications industry.

I began my career with Sprint as an executive secretary in 1971. I consider my progress to senior management of this company to be my greatest accomplishment.

Throughout my career there have been several disappointments, such as not getting a particular job I wanted or a project not working out. But the biggest disappointment would be waiting so long to get my college degrees — I started college the same year my middle child did. I eventually earned in bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of science degree in management.

Relationships are critical to any success, personal or professional. Always treat others as you would like to be treated, and don’t burn any bridges in your relationships.

Sprint wants to be the leader in integrated, advanced communications solutions for customers.

Love what you do. If you don’t, change jobs.

Name: Dee Dee Remaklus

Title: Real Estate Broker/President

Company: Buyer Agents Remaklus Realty, Inc.

Location: Reno

Type of Business: Exclusive buyer agency real estate company

Years in Nevada: Native (third generation Northern Nevadan)

Years with Company: 7 (founded in 1993)

Opening up the first exclusive buyer agency real estate office in Northern Nevada, which at the time was one of a handful of similar agencies on the West Coast. The prevailing school of thought said a real estate agency couldn’t survive representing only buyers. Maintaining a good working relationship within the community of my professional peers has also been a challenge, one I have overcome by avoiding negative marketing tactics and emphasizing how we can work together.

I am proud to have successfully represented only buyers, lessees and investors for over seven years. I recently opened up a division to specialize in serving investors.

Having ever been a dual agent (even once) because I believe that sets up an inherent conflict of interest.

Loyalty plus integrity equals professionalism.

I plan to open up a commercial division, to make the commercial consumer aware of the importance and value of being represented, instead of dealing directly with the lessor’s agents.

In any challenge or opportunity, choose the most important battle or purpose, and focus on it. All the other pieces will fall into place during the process.