Doug Mapstone

Doug Mapstone Inc. is truly a family business, but that family feeling extends beyond blood ties and Deb considers her employees to be family, too. "As for my relationship with my employees, I probably cross the line," she said. "I am very tough but I am fair, and if they have a problem they can talk to me about it. I've had colleagues to Christmas... dinner. They become family, they come first." The closeness and support of that Doug Mapstone Inc. family is one of the things that has helped Debbie succeed in what is traditionally a very male-dominated industry. "I think a benefit that Debbie brings to the business is that nurturing side that women have - the way of treating everybody like a family member, including her customers," said Maria Ucchino, manager for marketing and advertising in the Northeast Distribution of Carrier Corp. Even with all her success, though, Debbie is humble. She credits much of the company's achievements to loyal employees, her family, her faith and her husband. " I think the odds were against me," she admitted. "It was a challenge to take over the business, but we made it."Read More