Executive Suite: Kathy Liguori, Middle Island

In the mid-1990s, Kathy Liguori's start-up business lost its contract, and she found herself out of work.

With her husband, Lou, she applied for several franchise opportunities, including one for Tutor Time in Medford. "We opened our doors in 1996 with five children," she recalls. "Two were our own. And one was my nephew." Tutor Time bills itself as child- care learning centers.

The couple opened a second Tutor Time franchise in Middle Island in 1999. Lou, who is also a Smithtown school board member, says by downsizing the facility and renegotiating vendor contracts, the center recently managed to reduce tuition by 30 percent for the youngest children.

Kathy Liguori, 52, serves on the Welfare to Work commission of the Suffolk County Legislature.

What qualities do you look for in hiring?

"We want nurturing people, calm, caring, loving people."

The hiring process includes a hands-on interview "so we can see what their natural abilities are. If they're just going to be standing there and just observing, that's not someone that's a self-starter and is self-motivated."

What's the culture of the workplace like?

"The leadership really sets the tone. We want to be sure that everyone participates and does their part. We're all very self-sacrificing, and we're always willing to be personally accountable for all that we do. It's not just someone's job to do something, it's all of our jobs to do something."

How competitive is the industry?

"It used to be that other child-care provider centers were our competitors. We're seeing now that grandparents are really our primary competitor.

Many of the boomers have taken early buyouts or retired themselves, they've lost their jobs and they have their pensions and now they're caring for their grandchildren."

But some parents enroll their children part-time - "and grandparents are actually sometimes assisting in helping to pay for the education of their grandchildren."

How do you try to stand out from other centers?

"The biggest advantage that we have is in the manner in which we care for people. And the things that we do to go over and above to help a family meet their goals and their challenges. There is not a hat that we don't wear in running these facilities."

How do you motivate your workers?

"It's acknowledging the work that they do, and rolling up your sleeves and getting right next to them and assisting them when they need the help."

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a business?

Lou Liguori says that for a husband-and-wife team, "you have to have a very strong relationship."

Kathy Liguori laughs and agrees. "You need to be flexible and understanding to your spouse. We're happily married. We're business owners together, and we get along."

Corporate snapshot

NAME: Kathy Liguori

TITLE: Co-owner/operator

COMPANY: Tutor Time

BUSINESS: Child care

LOCATIONS: Middle Island, Medford

TYPE: Private company

REVENUE: $2.2 million annually (combined)

EMPLOYEES: 62 (combined)