Stephanie Isaacson, CEO and founder of New Horizons Enterprises LLC, is among 36 finalists for Ernst & Young LLP’s 2021 Entrepreneur Of The Year award for the Heartland region.
Founded in 2007, the Kansas City-based firm specializes in environmental testing and cleanup as well as demolition services. It has grown to two offices and more than 90 employees. Isaacson is a member of the 2009 class of the Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business Awards.
EY's regional award winners will be announced on Tuesday during a virtual celebration and will be eligible for the national awards program.
KCBJ caught up with Isaacson to talk about the honor and how she drives success.
What does it mean to you to be a finalist for the Heartland region?
“It gives you reassurance that you’re doing the right thing. … And it’s recognition for the employees. It’s not just about me. It’s about the team who works so hard every day.”
What are some of the areas where the honor has given you reassurance?
“You get in a place sometimes when you own a business where you’re focused on the day-to-day stuff and maybe not the big picture. So an award like this makes you step back and look at the big picture and look at 15 years or look at 10 years and not look at the last few weeks.”
What piqued your interest in this field?
“It’s something I’ve always been involved in. From the time I was a little kid, I’ve always been involved in environmental things or recycling plans.”
As a youngster, she worked with her parents to create a recycling plan and zero-waste process for their household’s trash and was involved in environment-focused clubs in high school. She later earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental science and engineering.
“It’s so fulfilling to work in an industry where people support each other and help each other work together to get projects finished.”
What have been some of the keys to New Horizons’ success?
Isaacson credits surrounding herself with “really good people” through the years, including employees, clients, bankers and vendors willing to negotiate payment terms for a big project.
The company also has attracted repeat clients, thanks to its focus on a simple concept: “One of the key things we always go back to in our strategic planning meetings is, ‘Do what you say when you say you’re going to do it,’ which seems so simple but it is super important in the contracting world. … A lot of times we’re the first person in on a project, so there’s a line of stuff scheduled after us.”
One aspect that sets New Horizons apart from competitors is that it can do most of the work in-house instead of using subcontractors. Its diverse skill sets add more control over schedules.
In late 2017, Isaacson launched a separate company, Pink Roll-Off, to give New Horizons more control over scheduling dumpsters for a site and hauling off waste. Like New Horizons, Pink Roll-Off is a certified Woman Owned Business Enterprise, and yes, the dumpsters are pink.
Having access to dumpsters and haul-off services sooner allows New Horizon to speed up projects. About 65% of Pink Roll-Off’s business comes from New Horizons.
What’s a company highlight you’d like to share?
“My biggest highlight is that 50% of our employees have been here more than five years.”
Isaacson has built a flexible work environment for taking time off and has strived to create a fun atmosphere. Some of the company’s activities have included hosting ice cream and food trucks and picnics. The activities serve as a way to celebrate employees and show appreciation, she said.
