Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Scottye Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Scottye thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

I have been working with my family business since 2011 and since then I have had the opportunity to travel all across America. I negotiate contracts for corporations to take care of a number of their facilities. I manage our team all from our national office right here in Memphis (our office is located across from St Francis in Bartlett.) Being able to see peoples problems and helping them find a solution is something I am very good at.

I worked with my father and two brothers. People think working with family is a breeze but its far from it. Many times the people you love most are the hardest on you. We don’t pull punches and you are expected to work 4 to 5 times harder than everyone else.

There are a few perks. I get a company credit card, I get to travel and see sights I never would have thought possible. (Like California or the inside of a manufacturing facility). But I also work nights and weekends on call in case of emergencies. I have been known to work overnight during the graveyard shift to get a project done onsite or run a crew.

Did I have valuable experiences working with family? Would I do things differently going forward? YES! I used to do anything it took to make sure the job got done, the client was happy and the vendor got paid. These are really great values however I was one of the only people that had these values so many times I was left holding the bag. I was over worked and made the same amount as my siblings.

Today I would be more vocal on my feelings and less agreeable. Do I regret my past? Not at all but I regret how I handled situations. My experiences have helped shape who I am and I have a wealth of knowledge I wouldn’t have before.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

We started Enviro USA as a house cleaning company back in 1993. At 13 I was cleaning homes with my mom. At 16 I was cleaning warehouses with my dad. In 2001 we become commercial only and I was introduced to a life of B2B. No more ladies looking over our shoulders watching our every move. No its business attire during the day and regular steady income from companies that want us there every week. In 2008 we expanded to offer additional services and became a total building services company. What this means is we can provide everything a facility needs to be able to operate and function. Be it janitorial to HVAC or Landscaping. We even have safely rehomed bees from a bank!

I was introduced to trade shows and networking events and found I have a knack for connecting with people and understanding their wants and needs.

I genuinely like people and try to see the good in them, this makes me good at my job and I have become an empathetic leader as a result.

One of my greatest strengths is being a problem solver. I can look at an issue objectively and find a solution when one isn’t readily available.

I also started a nonprofit that helps women become entrepreneurs called Wize Women. My struggles helped me realize I wanted to teach and support womens success.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Not every client is a good one. Realize your worth and don’t let them milk you for every penny. I have seen what (in our industry) is called scope creep. This is when you have contracted with a client and they slowly ask you to do more and more and do not offer payment. If you don’t put your foot down you could end up upside down on the job. Freebees are good but don’t let them take advantage.

I had a client that would go direct to our employees and ask them to do extra things not in the contract. They would not tell us because they knew we would charge them extra. These types of people take alot of time and focus when I could have been focused on people that make us profit.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

In 2020 I lost my brother and business partner. This was during covid so many people were working from home. I slipped into a deep depression. I slept for 12 to 14 hours a day and couldn’t bring myself to be active in the business.

When sales stop the company dies. We suffered a lot during those times and it has taken years to pull ourselves out of the hole.

People must have checks and balances, things weren’t being followed through, taxes weren’t being checked. It was a mess I am still cleaning up.

I have found my momentum, I am back and rebuilding after a long depression.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.envirousa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/envirousa/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/envirousainc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottye-davis-3302775b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Enviro_USA?mx=2

Image Credits

Governor Bill Lee, David Merritt, CArole Mewrritt Amiee tiption.