When the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce honors Carolyne Gatesy Jan. 30 as its Businessperson of the Year, she’ll be described as a serial entrepreneur.
That really doesn’t cover it.
She’s really a high-energy serial adventurist who squeezes in business successes between half-marathons and climbing the world’s highest mountains.
Gatesy, an avid hiker, climber and runner, created and sold several successful tech start-ups early in her career, including an image processing company that eventually did a $10 million NASDAQ public offering.
Today, Gatesy operates Main Street Office Center in downtown Glastonbury, which provides professional office space, virtual offices, conference and meeting rooms, administrative services and business consulting.
But that’s just the latest chapter in a complex life.
Gatesy grew up in Connecticut and was a competitive swimmer for 15 years — she earned a full ride to Purdue University on a swim scholarship and earned her bachelor’s degree in math and computer science.
She returned to Connecticut and started her career in the IT area as a computer programmer for a large manufacturing company. Next she was a computer analyst for a computer consulting company, and was the assistant director of information systems at a local university.
From there, she launched her own successful computer company which became Wang Laboratories second highest dollar sales vendor — at $3 million — in the U.S.
She also co-founded an image processing company which eventually did a $10M NASDAQ public offering, and was also part owner of a large drug and alcohol testing company where she managed IT.
“I have always been a hard worker but you just can’t work hard,” said Gatesy. “You have to work smart. I have always been driven and had a high energy level so I have that in my favor,” said Gatesy.
“And then there is always that little bit of luck factor,” she said. “I really don’t believe in luck but if you have a specific goal in mind and are persistent and work toward that goal I believe you will achieve it.”
Despite all her accomplishments, Gatesy acknowledges she’s a klutz of sorts, with a great sense of humor and knack for coming up with a back-up plan.
She managed to break a rib a week before her first marathon in Hartford three years ago and recently got a concussion in a parking lot.
Gatesy, who spent six months training for the local race in 2010, wasn’t ready to call it quits. Instead, she put a sign on her back “Don’t touch me — I’m running with a broken rib” and hit the pavement running.
“You just don’t want to let go of all that effort. I did okay in the race. I met a lot of people due to my sign,” said Gatesy.
“I have a great sense of humor. I laugh a lot and make jokes,” said Gatesy. “I’m a ‘tell it like it is’ kind of person, but you still have to enjoy the joke if there is one.”
That humor, along with the fierce tenacity to push forward when times are tough, has fueled Gatesy’s success and earned her the honor from the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce.
“Carolyne has over 25 years’ experience in the business arena as an entrepreneur started new ventures and implementing strategies that create successful businesses,” said Mary Ellen Dombrowski, president of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce.
“She is highly motivated, energetic and hard-working,” said Dombrowski. “She strives for the best no matter what she pursues, and is always interested in helping others and sharing her experiences, the failures and success.”
Main Street Office Center began by chance after Gatesy’s computer company went public in the late 1980s. “I had this empty space with a mortgage and I was trying to think of something I could do next.”
Not long after, Gatesy said she struck up a conversation with two realtors who happened to walk by her office. “I got the idea to open the business center from them.”
Main Street Office Center is the only one of its kind in Glastonbury, said Gatesy, who employs one full-time and three part-time assistants. Monthly rates range from $65 for basic administrative duties to $250 and up for space.
Demand for the center’s 25 office suites, located in an old 1900s Victorian home next to the library, has increased over the years, particularly in the aftermath of the economic downturn. Many people who lost their jobs started their own businesses and work for themselves, said Gatesy.
Gatesy wouldn’t disclose financials, but said the business weathered through the Great Recession and has steadily seen its revenues steadily climb upward again.
Main Street Office Center grows mostly by word of mouth, according to Gatesy. She attends social and networking events, and volunteers with Dress for Success by writing resumes and coaching women.
“I really love what I do. The variety and talking with business people in so many different industries, that it is very interesting,” said Gatesy. “I think you really have to have a passion for your work or a key element will be missing.”
Gatesy shares her adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors with her family. Gatesy said the family is climbing all the high points in the U.S. together.
She is also running a half-marathon in every state — except Mississippi, where she suffered the parking lot concussion — with a group of girlfriends, all avid runners.
In 2006 Gatesy and her husband, Donald Lewis, broke the world record to become the oldest combined-age married couple — she was 55 and he was 62 — to climb Antarctica’s tallest and most dangerous mountain, Vinson Massif.
In March, Gatesy will visit her son in Dublin, Ireland, where he is studying for the spring semester. In April, she will travel to Bhutan for three weeks to hike and trek, before she heads off to Phuket, Thailand, for some scuba diving.
She won’t run again until the Flying Pig half-marathon in May. She is also planning to run in the New York City marathon on Nov. 3.
Gatesy admits she gets bored easily — she hasn’t read a novel in years because it takes too long. And she is always on the look-out for new opportunities.
She holds a master’s degree in math from Central Connecticut State University and an MBA in finance from the University of Connecticut, and recently launched a book publishing firm.
“I published an adventure travel book about staying in fire towers and lookouts in the Northwest a few years ago,” said Gatesy. “It sold out at 3,600 copies.”
