Deaf and Hard of Hearing Entrepreneurs Council Winter 1995 Volume 6 Number 4

The coveted DHHEC Entrepreneur of the Year honor goes to Robert Harris, president of Harris Communications. The announcement was made at the Gala, and Harris flew down from Minnesota to accept the award in person.

Harris, who is a licensed psychologist, opened his business in November 1982 in the basement of his family townhouse, selling TTYS and assistive devices The business grew out of the basement long ago. Now it occupies a suite at a business complex where 12 full timers and 3 part timers are employed.

Harris never dreamed that the business would grow by such leaps and bounds. He started it on the side, while working full time as a psychologist.

Harris said business grew because of a 800-toll free line, affording customers easy access; fast turnaround of orders; friendly and courteous customer service.. It helped, Harris adds, that customers' word of mouth was so strong and positive, bringing in more business.

Harris revealed some interesting facts He is not a monopoly despite his stature as one of the nation's biggest deaf-related assistive devices firms and that the enacting of the ADA did not help his business a bit! The local market is monopolized by the US West telephone company, which sells TTYs and by the state TTY give-away program.

ADA means only that more hearing people use TTY relay systems rather than to purchase TTYs, he said, and hotel chains have already contracted with manufacturers to purchase TTYs in case lots. Instead Harris relies on a national customer base—and he's doing great!

Congratulations, Bob.