Jill Nelson is the Founder and CEO of Ruby Receptionists. Founded in 2003, the company offers virtual receptionists to businesses that need good customer service and a human to answer the phone. The company, which is now servicing 2,600 businesses, has received many awards including the “#1 Best Small Company to Work for in the U.S.” by Fortune Magazine and has been a 5-time winner of the “Fastest Growing Company in Oregon”.
Jill, who holds a bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Oregon has won awards herself and was named a 2012 “Customer Champion” by 1to1 Magazine and “2013 Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Portland Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization.
Attributes of Success
One of the major influences on Jill was her mother, an artist, who instilled in Jill the importance of cultivating her own creative talents. Her mother encouraged her to think for herself and to assert herself as an individual. Jill recalls her mother taking away her store-bought coloring books and supplying her with all the artist’s tools that she needed in order to create something on her own. She learned that going against peer pressure as a child may have been awkward but that it fostered independent thinking as an adult.
Jill also attributes her success to actually learning and doing every job in her business. She has experience as a receptionist, has done the accounting, etc. From this, she learned what is important and found that there is a need to balance the technology with the personal touch. The receptionists at Ruby Receptionists develop relationships with the customers they service resulting in better customer service.
Tips and Secrets of Success from Jill
- Color outside the lines. If you have learned to color inside the lines, learn to go beyond those boundaries
- Know what you stand for.
- Use your passion.
- Surround yourself with people who share your passion.
- Allow for employee flexibility and innovation.
Jim Nico
Jim Nico is CEO and Founder of SNI the parent company of The Social Network Show®, and The Social Network Station® which presents cutting edge, actionable information for social network owners and managers and is a one stop source for social networkers worldwide. SNI provides a quick reference guide on its website by featuring over 500 social networks on parade. Jim believes the future is niche social networks and he continues with strategic partners to catalyze core principles and best practices of Service, Safety, and Sustainability as guidelines for social networks world wide. He can be reached via email at [email protected]
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Jill gave me wonderful compliments during our interview and so Jill I will always be grateful for you…