October's Featured Manager: Theresa Lewis

Lewis says, "Do what you do well"

Theresa Lewis, co-owner and business manager of Total Urgent Care, believes people will seek you out if you make customer service your first  priority.

Name and title: Theresa Lewis is the business manager and co-owner of Total Urgent Care, a provider of workplace and urgent care medicine in the Emmorton Business Park.

Personal background: The Syracuse, N.Y. native came to Baltimore in 1985 to attend Morgan State University, where she earned a degree in electrical engineering. She and husband Bruce Lewis, Jr. have three children, Ephraim, Timothy and Jemez.

Professional background: Lewis worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as an electronics engineer. Her last assignment was with the Homeland Defense business unit at the Edgewood Area of the Aberdeen Proving Ground. She left the proving ground in 2003 and began her business with her husband the following year.

Keys to success: “A key to our success is allowing God to order our steps and trusting in Him at all times,” Lewis said. By continuing to have faith, working hard and remaining patient, said Lewis, business grew, allowing and requiring a move from a location on Rt. 40 in Edgewood to larger quarters in the Emmorton Business Park off Rt. 755.

Goals: Lewis said she wants to further develop her managerial skills, fine tune operations at Total Urgent Care and expand the practice into other areas. “We want Total Urgent Care to be the premier provider of workplace and urgent care medicine,” she said.

Advice: “Do what you do well and make sure you take time to network and build relationships,” said Lewis, adding, “Whether you are providing goods or a service, make sure it is the best in town. Make excellent customer service your number one priority and people will find you.” Lewis commented, “One thing I’ve learned is people do business with people they know. Don’t establish a relationship expecting a quick sale. Relationships need nurturing and it may be years before you see any results.”

What could be done to make business more successful: “Finding the right support services that can relieve a lot of things Bruce and I personally do in the business,” said Lewis, adding, “This would free up time to do other business related things.”