In her own words: Linda Scott of Freelance Office Support

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company its specialties, its history, the size of its staff.

Linda Scott: We are a back-office support company that serves freelance small businesses in the areas of bookkeeping, clerical, filing, payroll and tax prep and whatever else a freelance owner would need an office for. Using Freelancers Office Support Services reduces a company's overhead as they don't have to pay as much for an office staff. There are many other tax advantages as well.

NNBW: What role do you play in the company?

Scott: Founder, owner, president, CEO sometimes janitor, counselor, and just plain ol' Mom.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Scott: I was a school administrator for 30 years for a private non-profit school. I left there thinking I wanted a job, and I went to work as the administrator for a local synagogue. After three years, I discovered I don't do well as an employee but better as an owner. Freelancers was started on a "I bet you can't do this" bet. The bet was "Can you start a business with no money and make it." I didn't know what it was I wanted to do, so while on a walk I met a roofer. I asked him what he disliked most about his job and he said "paperwork." I told him I would do his paperwork for $100 a month. He said "Lady, if you do my paperwork I'll pay you $200 a month." So that's how Freelancers (our type of client) got started.

NNBW: What is something no one knows about your job?

Scott: The hours I put in are not the hours billed. I truly care about our clients. They become family.

NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?

Scott: I often say I should have been a lawyer. I went to Harvard for six months after high school but due to family illness, had to return to Reno. But now, I'm glad I didn't go that direction. I still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up!

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office?

Scott: There is such a place? Actually I have fostered over 40 kids so I enjoy talking to them. I enjoy being with all my grandchildren and now my first great grandchild. Other than that, I like playing word games on the computer and reading.

NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?

Scott: My favorite vacation was when I was a young girl and my dad took me to Biloxi, Mississippi, to visit my brother who at that time was in the Air Force. We played miniature golf everyday!

NNBW: Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?

Scott: To accept my type A personality and use it in a positive way.

NNBW: What is the quirkiest or oddest job you've ever had?

Scott: Running an addressographer for Roger's Jewelry Company when I was 13. It was a huge machine in the basement when they were located downtown.

NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?

Scott: Living would be Laura Bush. I've met her but I would love to spend time with her. She is a gracious lady.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Scott: My dad always said to laugh when things aren't going well. Since crying about it won't change anything, best to find something positive and move on. That has been a real part of how I handle stress.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?

Scott: I like taking a challenging issue and make it come out favorable for my clients. What I like the least are people who call for advice and then argue with me. If they have all the answers, they don't need me!

NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?

Scott: That I cared.

The basics:

Name: Linda Scott, owner, Freelancers Office Support Services

How long have you been in this job? 3 years

How long in the profession? Forever! (About 40)

Education: BA-UNR; Masters-University of Maryland, PhD UC Berkeley

Best book you've read? Other than the Bible, Anne of Green Gables

What's on your iPod? Don't have one.

The best movie ever? Not a movie buff but enjoy an occasional romance comedy - "Fools Rush In" is one of my favorites

Do you have a nickname? My family calls me Sis