You get what you give.
This is a philosophy that Hollis Thomases, founder and chief executive officer of Web Ad.vantage.net, can relate to.
“I am absolutely about delivering on expectations and quality service,” Thomases said. “Since a lot of this business is based on reputation, if you want to persevere in the long run, you have to do right by people.”
Thomases was recently named Maryland?s Small Business Person of the Year by the Baltimore District office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award is given to outstanding entrepreneurs for their contributions to the nation?s economy and for their personal achievements.
“I can?t say that I anticipated getting to this kind of pinnacle. It?s really a special and fun place to be,” Thomases said. “It?s definitely validating and affirming that we have survived and come as far as we have. I?m very proud.”
Thomases founded the Internet marketing and advertising agency in 1998 and employs 13 people.
“I think my success is a combination of luck, timing and the right set of talents and skills,” she said. “I attribute a lot of my success to my team. I absolutely could not do this without them.”
Some of her local clients include the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, Phillips Seafood and Long Fence.
“[Hollis] is always on top of what?s new, but she?s smart. She?s very careful to scrutinize [new concepts] before she recommends them,” said Debra Eisenburg, a colleague of Thomases?. “She?s a joy to work with. She is someone who says what she means and means what she says.”
In the face of awards and a recent nomination for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Thomases hasn?t lost sight of her original goal.
“We are genuine, and we care more about meeting the clients? expectations, not just about making a buck,” she said.
Web Ad.vantage.net
224 N. Washington St., Suite A, Havre de Grace
www.webadvantage.net; 410-942-0488
