in 2005 when two successful entrepreneurs began searching for a better way to run their business. Like most small business owners
these guys were really working hard. Together they handled sales, production, administration and marketing. This meant working all day and then handling
data entry and other admin duties at night. Sometimes, when they were really tired, they even allowed themselves to wonder what it might be like to have a
job again.
“It shouldn’t be this hard”, they would say to themselves. Being self employed was supposed give them freedom and allow them to have control over their lives.
Instead they found a seemingly endless stream of drudgery. Yet it was not without reward. Profits were made, efficiencies were developed and their company
was growing.
So they decided to find a way to run things better. They began by examining how it was that they actually got things done and discovered massive amounts of
time committed to multiple entry. They were entering every new opportunity into ACT (sales tracking), then into Word (proposal development and job documentation),
onto Microsoft Project (job scheduling), QuickBooks (for invoicing) and then into Excel (reporting). While juggling these five programs they were also running
an outbound email marketing campaign and managing their schedules in Outlook.
So obviously they just needed to buy one program that could handle all of these things. Only one problem - it didn’t exist.
They searched long and hard. They talked to everyone and no one had a complete solution. NetSuite, Salesforce.com, Entellium, SAP’s Business One and
Front Range’s GoldMine all fell short. Each could do some of what they wanted, none could do it all. For email marketing they looked at Constant Contact and
Infusion CRM. They liked the functionality but ultimately rejected them both because every email sent by those products carried a sales message for the
provider.
Frustrated, they decided to solve this problem for themselves. Yes, it would cost more, but it would also completely fit their needs. They hired a developer and
within months had the heart of what would eventually become Dia. This first program, dubbed the “Project Manager” had a remarkable effect - sales more
than doubled while administrative costs were reduced. They were so proud of this program that they couldn’t help but show it off. Word got out and other
business owners wanted to use the program.
One of the entrepreneurs called an old acquaintance named Jim Eddy. Jim had been highly successful with technology start ups (see below) and they were
hoping he could offer some advice. Does this program have legs? What would it take to get started? How does the software industry work? After some cajoling
Jim reluctantly agreed to give them an hour of his time. That one hour meeting became an eight hour in-depth examination. At the end of the day, they were
stunned when Jim wanted to be part of the company.
Today, Envala is the number one provider of small business automation. Thousands of companies all over the world have the same problems that led to
Dia’s creation and they turn to Envala for their solution.
Envala exists to increase the satisfaction, productivity and profitability of small business. To do this we must always strive to provide excellent tools in a positive
atmosphere in which talented people can exercise their potential and realize their aspirations. We will hire the best candidates for all positions and properly
train them in the Envala Way. We trust our hiring decisions and allow employees to pursue their responsibilities free from micro management. When we make
a mistake we will correct it quickly and fairly. We will set and achieve audacious goals and constantly strive to find new and better ways to apply our combined
potential.
Integrity, trust and faith in one another are invaluable.
We are always willing to go extraordinary lengths to achieve our goals.
We are a meritocracy. Ideas supercede ego.
Daniel A. Stewart, President and CEO
Chad W. Dudeck, CFO
Jim Eddy, Member - Board of Directors
|
