In 1990, after ten years in direct patient care and in pursuit of a nursing degree on a company scholarship, Elisa Comer discontinued her studies and left her place on her employer's medical staff due to a severe latex allergy. Her employer let her transfer to an administrative position where she learned the administrative side of operating a medical business. In 1996, she obtained a diploma in Medical Language and Transcription Studies.

About the same time, a church friend approached Comer and her husband about taking over a small transcription service. After much research, she decided to take over an account of the existing service, and she started Eagle's Landing Transcription Service (ELTS).

In December 2003, Comer received counseling to write a business plan. Since then, she has obtained over 90 hours of assistance in 35 counseling centers. The TSBDC at ETSU continues to work with Comer on her business planning, marketing, accounting, personnel and technology.

ELTS was incorporated on Feb. 16, 1999, in Locust Grove, Ga. The original office was in the laundry room of the Comers' home. In just over a year, ELTS outgrew the small space. The first outside office opened in 2001 in Stockbridge, Ga. near Henry Medical Center. Within a few months, a major physician's group contacted ELTS about supporting their clinic, and in just 18 months ELTS had grown to supporting over 50 physicians with 32 transcriptionists employed.

ELTS, like many small businesses, started with $12,000 drawn from Comer and her husband's retirement fund and a $6,500 loan from a friend. Just into its second year of business, a major client ($120,000, or 40% of the firm's revenue) fell five months behind on the account. This write-off created a major loss for the new company. To ease the cash crunch and to bring on board additional technical and managerial talent (transcription and IT directors) a Small business Administration Low-Doc loan for $145,000 was obtained in 2001.

In March, Comer was selected as the 2005 Tennessee Small Business Person of the Year for her hard work, innovative ideas and dedication to her community.

[Originally published in the May 2005 issue of Business Tennessee magazine]