Maryland’s Minority Business of the Month: CR Dynamics and Associates, Inc.

When out-of-towners call the Maryland Office of Tourism's 1-800-MDISFUN hotline they don't speak to a Maryland State employee. Instead, their call is seamlessly routed to CR Dynamics, a premier call center company.

As with all new entrepreneurs, when Charles Ramos started CR Dynamics from his kitchen table in Columbia almost 12 years ago he had high hopes for his business. His vision has been realized as he's seen his initial investment of $5,000 turn into gross profits of $2.1 million in 2005.

CR Dynamics provides award-winning customer relationship management for government agencies and private corporations. Their services include help desk programs, answering services, order processing and event registration. Ramos employs 25 people full-time, and hires temps as needed. Currently, his biggest clients are the State of Maryland, the Social Security Administration and he's working as a subcontractor for Innovative Emergency Management's (IEM) project with the Department of Homeland Security.

Ramos' business is a state-certified MBE as well as an 8(a) company. “I think these certifications have helped us in obtaining government contracts.” Ramos said. “We graduate from the 8(a) program this spring, so I plan to spend the next few months more aggressively seeking federal contracts.”

Ramos is also actively looking for new opportunities from mid-size businesses with gross profits of about $25 million who recognize that out-sourcing of CRM makes sense and benefits their bottom line.

Ramos obtains clients by extensive networking and word of mouth. He is the company's primary marketer, as well as CFO, while his wife of 15 years manages the business' daily operations. Ramos stated, “At first it was difficult to transition my wife in to the business. Now it works beautifully; she has her responsibilities and I have mine and I'm careful not to micromanage her.”

When asked what about the business keeps him awake at night Ramos replied, “I'm always concerned about keeping the pipeline filled. When I get a new contract, I can't just sit on my laurels, I have to constantly be out there looking for new opportunities to grow the business even further. My employees are my first priority. They're dependent on my success to pay their bills and raise their families. That is a huge responsibility for me and I'm committed to them.”

Ramos believes that minority businesses are still not competing on a level playing field. "I fully support the Ehrlich-Steele Administration's initiative to improve the State's MBE program and I am proud to have participated in their efforts by sitting on several of the committees that provided input to the Governor's Commission on MBE Reform and through my work with the various chambers of commerce to which I belong." 

Ramos credits the success of his business to his financial acumen. He is a strong advocate for fiscal discipline and careful budgeting.

“When you are an entrepreneur you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. It is important to build your business slowly and conservatively.” Ramos said. “If I had been more aggressive, I would have been out of business by now. I've learned to put money back into the business before I pay myself and to always save for a rainy day. Being a business owner is a passion, a lifestyle. You have to be in it for the long-haul, this is not a get rich quick scheme.”

You can contact Ramos at CR Dynamics, 7 East Redwood Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-347-5600, or via email info@crdynamics.com , or through his website www.crdynamics.com.