Lewis Finch
Founder and Former CEO
Welwynn Outpatient Center
Welwynn is a behavioral health company treating addiction and mental health issues.
As the founder and former CEO, I am qualified to describe why Vistage was and will continue to be, an integral part of our company’s success.
I heard about Vistage through my younger brother 20+ years ago. He is the CEO of a communications company that has weathered every downturn in the economy over the last 30 years and has come out of it as the market leader in its business category. Although I have been in Vistage a little over 5 years, I wish I had listened to my brother years ago.
The most obvious example of why Vistage is such a valuable resource occurred during Covid. As an outpatient facility, clients come to Welwynn for drug, alcohol and mental health issues…that is, they COME to us! We provide Group Therapy, Individual Counseling and Family Treatment. When Covid hit, and in-person contact was restricted, our client count dropped into single digits. It was apparent that we needed additional capital to make it through the disruption. My Vistage brothers, sisters and chair guided me to get three non-collateralized loans totaling $325,000; funds that literally saved us from bankruptcy. Welwynn would not be in business today without the support and knowledge gained through Vistage.
Additionally, Vistage has provided us with leads through its networking aspects. Yet, the real value of Vistage is in the camaraderie between the members in each group. Vistage members are tasked to provide unbiased opinions without regard to people’s feelings. Each member supplies their valuable perspectives into the other businesses within the group -- without prejudice. I have witnessed firsthand how, with no real skin in the game, my fellow Vistage members have dissected problems from other businesses and have helped those company’s leaders solve issues rationally and with great insight without having any expertise in that specific field.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not extoll the virtues of the two individuals who are my Vistage Chairs…Ana and Chris Quinn. They exemplify everything that is good and right about Vistage. Both have helped Welwynn during turbulent times, holding our ‘collective hands’ not just at monthly meetings, but during off times even outside of our one-on-one sessions. The Quinn Coaching Collective embodies the Vistage tag line of helping ‘leaders improve their decisions, companies, lives and communities.
Vistage is worth every penny we spend to be members and our relationship with Vistage will continue to pay dividends far into the future.
Comments