Face to Face - September 2007

Face to Face

Amy Ayoub and Jim Van Compernolle

Amy Ayoub

President

Ayoub and Associates

Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 54

Years with Firm: 9

Type of business:

Political and non-profit fundraising, business and personal coaching, training.

Biggest business challenge:

Finding the best staff for my style and for my clients. As we grow, we continue to face the challenge of finding others who fit comfortably.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The constant communication with a variety of personalities and the feeling that I’m helping them get their message and/or programs to the public.

If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?

A lawyer.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

Reading, writing, meditating, traveling and boxing matches.

Little-known fact about yourself:

I adore dancing, and I’m pretty good at it as well.

Best Business Advice:

Choose the clients you want to work with, do what you love and the money will follow.

What area of your industry do you find most interesting?

Coaching others through the challenges of fundraising and small business.

How do you recruit and retain qualified staff?

The most important part of recruiting qualified staff is to clearly communicate the expectations and job description. Also, trust your inner voice more than you trust the resume or recommendations from others.

Jim Van Compernolle

JVC Architects

Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 45

Years with Firm: 16

Type of business:

An architecture firm specializing in community-based design.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy being able to channel my creativity into every aspect of my duties, whether it entails designing a church that holds a large congregation on a small parcel of land, or figuring out how to incorporate energy-saving measures with a small budget.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I’m usually outside somewhere riding an ATV, camping or traveling – all activities that my family and I can enjoy together.

What would you like your legacy to be?

To be loved by my family, to be respected by my coworkers and to create striking, lasting architecture

Best Business Advice:

Have faith in your ideas and stick with them!

Little-known fact about yourself?

I hate the taste of horseradish.

If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?

I would attend medical school and specialize in pediatric care.

What area of your industry do you find most interesting?

Although I’ve been in involved in architecture for more than 20 years, I am still amazed by the fact that I have a hand in making ideas reality.