Written by: Deborah Davis Huberfeld, H.G. Services, Inc
Claudia Timbo - CompanyVoice LLC
Claudia Timbo, founder and CEO of CompanyVoice LLC, is a serial entrepreneur, currently applying her magic touch to the third venture in her series of call or contact centers. She is also a long-time NAWBO member.
She opened her first venture, ProCall Teleservices, in 1997 as a subsidiary of Progress Bank. Three years later, she sold that business to a publishing company for $5 million. Venture number two was another call center started in 2008, which was sold to a private equity firm for $10 million. “My exit strategy is always to sell,” Timbo says.
CompanyVoice, which opened in 2012, is a full service inbound and outbound call enter specializing in financial services, banking, healthcare and insurance. Using state of the art technology and a unique talent pool, Timbo and her staff continue to serve a diverse customer base and offer proven expertise is regulated industries.
“My passion is to provide an environment in which employees can serve at their full potential,” she says. She recruits agents from the ranks of the semi-retired population or professionals in transition or are qualified and motivated to make a difference in their industry. Using her extensive and award-winning training program. Timbo offers licensed and credentialed agents to her clients. The firm’s two locations in Blue Bell and Harleysville presently employ 300 and 250 respectively, and about 70% of the board is women.
CompanyVoice is a certified Women Owned Small Business by the NWBOC (National Women Business Owner’s Corporation). Timbo is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Among her many awards are the SmartCEO Magazine’s Brava Award and Serial Entrepreneur of the Year, The Pennsylvania Department of Aging entered CompanyVoice into the Hall of Fame as a Champion of Older Workers, and the list of her accolades for excellence is lengthy and impressive.
“And through all of it, NAWBO has been amazing,” Timbo says. “It’s wonderful to have someone to reach out to when you have an issue or need information. The availability of mentoring and the opportunities for professional development are boundless. NAWBO women are generous about sharing resources and expertise.” She has hired interns, shared her expertise on NAWBO panel presentations, and learned from the experiences of other women.
To many, it might appear that doing what she does requires the utmost in self-confidence. However, she has faced fears and offers some advice for overcoming those fears.
“I have a healthy respect for the investor risks and impact of my decisions on staff, customers and community, Timbo says. “I am accountable for growing revenues to deliver on investment dollars and meet or exceed the expected return.” She advises looking beyond individual success and embracing what a business can offer others. For instance, CompanyVoice provides employment, training and licensing to seniors, Vets, inner city, local and non-violent offenders. “I look to improve the profitability of clients with business development, and also am a client of local banks, real estate, transportation and restaurants,” she says.
“And, it is possible to have it all,” she adds, “a family and success. Use technological advances to work from home or anywhere; use online services to have household items delivered to optimize your time. I recommend automating every aspect of life that doesn’t require a personal connection to make the most of the limited time you do have with family.
Timbo also keeps balance in her life with scheduling, keeping everything from workouts, volunteering and a shelter to babysitting her grandchildren and business meetings on a master calendar. “This way, I give enough time to self-care and family,” she explains.
Other secrets to her success? “Be decisive and willing to take a calculated risk; follow your gut instinct, and ask for help when you need it! NAWBO is a fabulous resource for surrounding yourself with great, positive support. And, learn from your mistakes and move on.”
And when Timbo comes up for air, she loves yoga, meditation, reading and travel – particularly cruises. “While I enjoy all of my recreational activities, cruises give me a unique opportunity to unplug and unwind. There are no phones!”