Monique Scott-Spaulding didn’t just wake up one morning and decide it was time to give back to the community. It was something instilled in her by her mother as early as she was able to understand the concept. “I learned that there are so many needs out there,” says Scott-Spaulding, who is an authorized franchise owner of the Jani-King, the world’s largest commercial cleaning company. “So many opportunities.”
And she has embraced those opportunities. She serves as the chairwoman for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church’s fundraising committee, as a board member for StaffUp Resources, a volunteer with Youth Oasis and countless other organizations. In 2006, she and her husband started Spaulding Charities, which aims to eradicate poverty through education, focusing on literacy and financial literacy, nutrition and selecting career paths.
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And yet, despite all of these benevolent ventures, Scott-Spaulding manages to run a business. For almost 12 years, she has grown Jani-King of Baton Rouge to great success. In 2005 and in 2007, her location was No. 1 in sales and was chosen as Franchise of the Year in 2007 for the Gulf Coast Region.
Maybe some of the success of her business has something to do with her theories on life and business. “Failure is not an option,” “Give a hand up, not a hand out,” and “To whom much is given, much is expected,” guide her work.
Scott-Spaulding says she does her best to lead by example, which has helped encourage some of her employees to start volunteering. She says employees often come to her and offer to lend a hand when she talks about working with an organization. “There’s always room for another pair of hands at the table when you’re helping people,” she says.
Scott-Spaulding has her hands present at a lot of tables right now, but she doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Between her business and her volunteer efforts, she is determined to give as much, if not more, than she’s received. “My goal is to help to empower people to help to accomplish whatever their goals are.”
Age: 39
What is your best business advice? “Work smarter, not harder. Strive to exceed expectations.”
Click here for the complete list of 2009's Forty Under 40 winners.
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