Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Phyllis Cassidy, executive director of Good Work Network, has only to hear Thomas Brown’s name and she breaks out in a broad smile.

While Cassidy is proud of many of her 700 Good Work Network members, she has special praise for Brown, who came to her with a harrowing story.

“For eight years, I was a driver at a waste management company,” explained Brown. “I told my supervisor that I wanted to move up in the company. He pointed to a six foot ladder and he told me to climb the ladder and he said, that’s as far as you’ll go.”

Brown’s next step would take him further than he thought possible.

Through word of mouth, Brown found his way to Good Work Network, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by Phyllis Cassidy, a CPA by training who worked for years in a family business until it was sold. Good Work Network coaches, supports, and educates small business owners and gives them the business skills they need to reach their full potential.

“I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t know how to get it,” said Brown. What Brown wanted was to start his own flooring company. “I knew I could do the work-the stripping, waxing, buffing and carpet cleaning-but I didn’t know how to do the business part.”

Cassidy’s team helped him with back office support, to file with the Secretary of State’s office, and to craft a business plan with action steps. Today, Thomas Floor Care, LLC is contracting with numerous businesses and is listed as a preferred provider for Catholic Charities.

“Success comes to those who want it,” Brown said. “I’ve been chasing this success ever since I climbed that ladder and I don’t plan on stopping.”

Good Work Network recently received a grant from the Community IMPACT Program to provide business development services for small community-based businesses.