On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Jim Voss, co-owner of Hydro-Chem Systems and a member of SBAM’s Leadership Council. Hydro-Chem specializes in manufacturing and installing vehicle washing equipment and producing soaps and chemicals for semi-trucks, buses and large vehicles. The company, which is employee-owned (ESOP), has been in operation since 1971, operates nationwide and employs around 50 people. Voss emphasizes the importance of teamwork and customer service. “Over half of our people are fully vested from a stockholder perspective, and everyone around the room is at least partially invested,” he says. “So when I look around and see my fellow employees, I realize I'm answering to each of them in addition to the Board of Directors. We really have to operate as a team, and it makes us mission oriented. I think we're willing to go the extra mile for each other and for the customer, a lot more than other environments might lend themselves to.”

 The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)