After two decades in the military and stints as a communications officer for two separate United States presidents, taking care of people became second nature for Pamela Lucas. When retirement led her to a second career in real estate, it’s no surprise she found herself doing more for her tenants than just providing them with a place to live.

“I was always helping people, helping my tenants, helping them with rent, taking groceries over there, turning the lights on,” Pamela says. “My mom, who’s a retired school principal, told me that I should run a group home.”

Pamela took that advice, educated herself on the adult special needs care industry, and opened her first licensed group home in 2014. Within three years, PAMCO Care was operating three different group residences in Gainesville and Manassas that served adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By 2022, just shy of PAMCO Care’s 10-year anniversary, Pamela had opened six homes, established an office space, and earned her Executive MBA (EMBA) from Georgetown University.

But even for a combat veteran, successful real estate agent, and defense contractor, the pivot to running a full-on business was challenging. Questions that had inspired Pamela to earn her EMBA in 2020 — about how to properly take care of her employees, such as providing health care and retirement benefits — led her to the Mason SBDC in the fall of 2023.

“I met [Mason SBDC Director] Timm Johnson, and he has been a great mentor and sounding board,” she says. “I went to Georgetown and got an EMBA, but that’s textbook. Timm has actually operationalized that. He’s taken the textbook and given meaning to what my spreadsheets are, what my profit and loss statements are, and general guidance on what I need to look for to run my business successfully.”

After connecting through the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Timm initially helped Pamela modernize her bookkeeping and gain a deeper understanding of her business metrics. They continue to meet monthly, and Pamela also attended an SBDC-facilitated conference. However, for all the help she has already received, Pamela notes that she has only scratched the surface of what the SBDC offers.

In addition to providing invaluable business advice, Timm played a crucial role in supporting PAMCO Care’s growth. He introduced Pamela to M&T Bank and Navy Federal Credit Union, which will be instrumental in helping her secure the financing needed for property acquisition.

Today, PAMCO Care has six group homes in Virginia and provides adult day care services. Pamela has also opened a job training and placement program that helps individuals with disabilities find paid employment. With more than 150 clients, and over 80 employees,  she enters the second decade of her business’ existence and has a trusted advisor and the SBDC at her side.

“I’m an old army girl, so I believed that all you needed to do was get somebody who is passionate,” Pamela says. “I started out leading men and women in combat, and now I’m leading this company, helping individuals with disabilities live better lives, and it’s not about me — it’s about my team that comes alongside me.”

Consider Timm Johnson – Pamela’s “trusted advisor” – part of that team.

Pamela Lucas is the recipient of the 2024 Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year Award!