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20 Special Advertising SupplementBethSchillaciCEO/FounderVillageWorksCommunications, Inc.FrederickSTATSNEW HAMPSHIREBUSINESS CENTERFor additionalinformation orto set up atour,please contact:Leslie Lloyd-Holmeslholmes@blakereal.com301.270.4400All BrokersWelcome6475-95 New Hampshire AvenueHyattsville, MarylandOn-Site Leasing Office •301-270-4400Free surface &covered parking at 3.5 spaces per 1,000 sf leasedConveniently located one-half mile from DCTakoma Park Red Line &Prince George’s Plaza GreenLine nearbyCome join our ever expanding roster of lawyers,accountants, doctors, dentists and medical facilitiesClose proximity to several major area hospitals:Washington Adventist Hospital (1.3 mi) -ProvidenceHospital (4 mi) -Washington Hospital Center (5 mi)Holy Cross Hospital (5 mi)Executive offices &suites from 325 up to 12,000 s.f.Flexible lease terms &competetive rentwww.newhampshirebusinesscenter.comAge: 38Education: BS, business administration, WestVirginia UniversityFirst job held: marketing assistantHobbies: cooking, bakingFavorite sports team: Baltimore RavensFavorite TV show or movie: LostHaving wanted her ownbusinesssince high school, Beth Schillacihas operatedVillageWorksCommunications, Inc.for more than adecade. By blending her degree inmarketing with her previous workexperience at several technology startups,Schillaci hopes to "make technologyless intimidating to people and showthem thatthe basic principles ofmarketing are still at the root of usingnew tools," she said.VillageWorks is an emergingmedia marketing company. It helpsclients make sense of the trends andtools available to market their businessonline by understanding their targetaudience and goals.It is the "aha" moment from whichSchillaci derives the most satisfaction.She enjoys it "when it all starts to clickfor clients and they become reallycomfortable with the tools," she said.Schillaci believes CEOs should leadby example. "If you expect action fromthe people you work with, even strategicpartners, you need to show you arecommitted to it as well," she said.Her toughest business decision wasto "fire" aclient. "You don't want to losethe money involved in the decision butif they are affecting morale the clientcan do much more damage than anyamount of money is worth," saidSchillaci.Adaptation is key to surviving theeconomic downturn, according toSchillaci. "This is our new reality andyou need to adapt your business toMost admired person: her daughterWould like todine with: her paternalgrandfather (deceased)Web site: www.villageworks.netFounded: 1999Employees: 1accommodate your clients' changingneeds," she said. "Those companies thatstop marketing and don't change couldfind themselves out of business."In advising new CEOs, Schillaciurges them to trust their instincts."Youcan hire tons of consultants and readstacks of business books looking foranswers but sometimes you just need tolisten to your own instincts," she said."Some of my best decisions have comefrom following what Ithought was rightwhen other people around me didn't."Finding abalance between homeand office is not difficult for Schillaci butoften requires juggling. "The good partof being your ownboss is youcan have aflexible schedule," she said. "So,Icanvolunteer at school but, the bad partis, itoften means late nights to catch up."Astrong support system, primarilyher husband, helps Schillaci achievebalance. "I really wouldn't be where Iam without my husband," she said. "Hehas always been ashoulder to lean onand has been my number one fan.Having his support has really helped methrough some very frustrating times."Schillaci is heavily invested inFrederick. "I speak at no cost at manyconferences to share my thinking onsocial media and how businesses caneffectively use it. Ihave taught aclass toFrederick's retailers through myvolunteering with Downtown FrederickPartnership," she said. "I also volunteerfor the chamber and assist with the Website and marketing for the MarylandWomen's Conference." n