Small Business Profile: Renee Keener with American Document Securities

Small Business Profile - Renee Keener 

American Document Securities, Inc. is a Records Management Company.  It began as a shredding company and eventually expanded its’ field to record storage, data vaulting, imaging, and software. In 2015, Bio-Medical Waste Transport was added as a service and is called Med Dog Waste Management.  ADS is an S-Corporation and with a full-time staff of approximately 19 employees.  ADS markets in several different ways – LinkedIn, Facebook, website are some avenues of marketing but primarily the Google market wins the most customers.  we also have sales staff that manage very well. 

Today, as the owner of American Document Securities, Inc., Renee Keener serves as Founder and CEO.  Officially established on September 11, 2001, her company was born in the midst of the creation of a new era for America – hence the name American Document Securities.  Renee submitted her company to the Georgia Women’s Business Council for the coveted approval and certification process in the Spring of 2004.  In October of 2004, ADS achieved a goal to become a Certified Woman Owned Business.  GWBC awarded her the honor as she met the very critical criteria for certification.  ADS is also a Certified Woman Owned Small Business, WOSB, by the Small Business Association.  The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce chose Renee as their first recipient of the Carroll County Entrepreneur of the Year award in November 2006. American Document Securities, Inc. is also a proud AAA Certified member of NAID, the National Association for Information Destruction, an international trade association which sets the standards and ethics of its member companies

How did you get your idea or concept for your business? 
A broker friend in Indiana suggested I look into the records management business; I traveled to Pennsylvania and audited two business for a couple of days, and came back with a plan.

What are the non-work habits that help you with your work-life balance? 
Faith in God; Meditation, time away from the office to unwind; my dogs and the farm

You have the chance to ask your business idol one question.  Who is that business idol and what would that question be and why? 
Bob Stone founder of SMI, Systems & Methods; I would ask him what he would change if he could go back in time knowing what he knows today.

What was your biggest “A-ha” moment? 
When I realized that the world was not going to end if I didn’t meet my own unreasonable expectations.

What is non-negotiable for you? 
Ethical issues; will not cross the line.

What do you look for in an employee? 
The “IT” factor – common sense. Drivers: Friendly, easy going and clean cut; Office: Friendly, helpful and tidy

Does your company help or give back to the community?  If yes, how?  Favorite local nonprofit? 
Yes – Alice’s House; Dawnbreakers Rotary

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? 
Never give up!

What is one way that operating a business today is the same as 10 years ago and one way it is different? 
Employees – they are still necessary today, but today it is much harder to find someone responsible enough to work.

What were you like as a teenager? 
Extremely mature at an early age; way too driven and focused

What were some of the biggest lessons that have influenced the way you work? 
 I realized a long time ago that I am not capable of doing everything I think I can without something suffering; I learned that delegation and time management is the biggest lesson that has influenced the way I work.  

What was the lesson and what was it like before and after? 
See above, and I get a great more done today than I did before – even though I am busier today than ever.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run your business?
 I did not get the opportunity to gain a college education, so the college of hard knocks was my teacher; common sense is a plus and not being afraid to work or stick your neck out for what you believe in.