At the Table with Holly P. Safford

Holly Safford, founder and President of The Catered Affair was recently named Massachusetts' 2003 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. She began her company in 1979 with two friends and an initial investment of $300. Since then, The Catered Affair has become a nationally recognized catering company and has grown to 250 employees and more than seven million dollars in annual sales. This week, Holly took time out of her busy schedule to tell DWC Members in Boston her story. For those of you who missed it, Holly joins us �At the Table" here on Table Thoughts.

Q. What motivated you to pursue your current career path? I was at a very low point with my husband having departed, and I was living in the suburbs with three little boys ages, 4, 8, and 12. A concerned friend told me I needed move on and suggested I pursue a career in catering as everyone enjoyed my parties. I loved the idea, persuaded a few friends to join me in the endeavor and we launched The Catered Affair (TCA) on an initial investment of $300. Q. What do you enjoy most about your current job or being a woman in business? I love that my job is so varied. From menus, to the wide range of cultures and ethnicity that my clients bring to the process, to venues to types of occasions; we cater everything from grand celebrations to memorial services. The clients we have are so incredibly accomplished and I learn so much from them. No two events are ever alike and I have not been bored for one second in 25 years. Q. We�d love to hear your comments on any one of the following: * Does the glass ceiling really exist and if so, what can be done about it? One way to avoid the glass ceiling is to remain self-employed; though that route carries any number of challenges. * Work-life balance � is it possible? My life gradually got under control as I was able to hire the talented and hard-working team we now have at TCA. Those first five years were insane the business absolutely consumed me. I don�t know how my children managed to turn out so well. * What changes would you like to see in Corporate America?I would like to see more integrity in Corporate America. Q. Favorite personal mantra, professional slogan, motivational quote, or lesson to live by? During the tough times, and I�ve had my share, I would put my head down and just tell myself �put one foot in front of the other� and it truly helped me to get through. Q. What do you know now that you wish you knew then? I wish I had had a better foundation in numbers and finance. It has been a long climb. Q. Read any good books lately? Yes, I read as much as I can. In the last few months I've enjoyed the following: