Kimberly Patterson's Latest Articles
High-Tech Manufacturer Adds Jobs In Oldsmar
MicroLumen Inc., a medical tubing manufacturer, plans to relocate in early 2011 to a new facility in Oldsmar. The company, which produces catheters, stents and other medical devices, has experienced positive growth and as a result will move from its current location in Tampa's Bald Cypress Place, to its new headquarters in Oldsmar's Brooker Creek. Robin Reynolds, MicroLumen's controller, explains the need for the relocation due to the company's expansion. "Over the past five years, we've diversified our product line and started to offer more services to our customers, and that has helped to keep business steady,'' Reynolds says. "In 2010, we have seen increased business as the capital markets have freed up a little bit and our customers have been able to access funds to do more R&D projects." The jobs that MicroLumen aims to fill as the relocation approaches will be mostly high-tech positions, and Reynolds says the company welcomes diversity. "As a small business, we've relied on traditional methods to fill positions such as newspaper ads, word of mouth, networking, things like that,'' Reynolds says. "We haven't so much promoted diversity as diversity has found us. We focus on talent, looking for people with a good work ethic and good team skills. Keeping that as the focus rather than focusing on a specific type of person to fill positions has increased our diversity." With the expansion of the new office space, MicroLumen plans to increase its workforce to approximately 100 employees within the next three years. Writer: Kimberly Pattterson Source: Robin Reynolds, MicroLumen, Inc.
Ballywho: Internet Marketer Hires, Grows In Pasco
Ballywho Interactive, an internet marketing company in Wesley Chapel, offers business solutions for social media management, web content and other needs. The company is currently hiring writers, a community manager, a designer and a web developer. "Right now the company has eight full-time employees," says Kristin Masters, Ballywho's social media strategist and content manager. "We're looking to double that in the next six months." Elissa Nauful Plumley, the company's founder/CEO, wants employees to be happy. "We offer flexible work schedules, which employees really like," she says. In addition to flexible work schedules, Ballywho wants employees to feel challenged and satisfied at work. While hard work is valued at this company, it's not all work and no play. Masters shares that the company tries to keep work fun by planning events such as Wii bowling tournaments at the office and impromptu outings. What does Ballywho look for in a job candidate? "First and foremost, we're looking for people who are a good "fit' for the company," says Masters. "We have a really unique culture: quirky, tight knit and dynamic. It's important that employees be able to embrace—and effect—change as the company grows. Our team is also really focused on delivering exceptional customer service, so ideal candidates are enthusiastic about that and look for ways to constantly improve what we do and how we do it." The company just celebrated its one-year anniversary in June 2010. Writer: Kimberly Patterson Sources: Elissa Nauful Plumley and Kristin Masters, Ballywho Interactive
