Business

A-K Enterprises proves that marriage is good for business

When Kenneth Turner decided to pursue a business opportunity, he jumped in with both feet full time. Retiring from Shelby County Government, Turner started a process service business. Shortly thereafter, he saw the opportunity to add property management to the mix and he did. The diversification has been an ideal marriage, with A-K Enterprises now growing at a steady pace.

Carlee McCullough: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Kenneth Turner: I am a retired officer from Shelby County Government with over 18 years of combined law enforcement experience with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Shelby County Division of Corrections. I am currently the co-owner of A-K Enterprises. I am married to Ann and a father of a college student, Kenneth Jr.

CM: How and when did you become involved in process serving?

KT: I became involved in process service in 2000 when I acquired my private process service appointment with the Shelby County General Sessions Court.

CM: You also have a property management division. Tell us about that division.

KT: This division was really my wife's idea. We own several properties and manage over 17 rental properties in the Memphis area. We work with a number of contractors thus ensuring the ability to provide a variety of services to our property owners.

CM: What sets your firm apart from other property management agencies in the market?

KT: We take pride in advertising as a one-stop shop. We are able to assist our property owners from beginning to end with applicant screening checks, preparing rental agreements, providing expense reports, escrow reports, property condition reports and other documents that are necessary to ensure the proper management of a rental property. We also assist property owners in collecting rental payments and if necessary we utilize our Investigative Division to prepare and file necessary documents for eviction process with General Sessions Court.

CM: What sets your firm apart from other process service agencies in the market?

KT: What sets our firm apart from other process service companies is my extensive training with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and my certification as an instructor with the sheriff's office training academy during my tenure with the department, and additional training obtained from the Tennessee Warrants Officer Association.

CM: Process service and property management are two distinctively different businesses. What prompted you to diversify your business with these businesses in particular?

KT: Being married brings you together as one. Since we both have experience in two different fields, we decided to combine our experiences and become one in business. My wife wanted to own and manage properties and my experience in process service started a joint venture business.

I also noticed that when I was with the Sheriff's office that there was a need for a company that could serve as a combination of a property management company and a process service company specializing in providing services for individual property owners. The funny thing about it is that both professions correlate with each other. We find ourselves combining our services for all of our property owners, thus allowing them the pleasure of owning their properties and transferring the anxiety of day-to-day property management to our firm.

CM: What is the greatest reward in being an entrepreneur?

KT: Knowing that we are providing valuable services to the community, having control of our destiny, and being blessed to follow your dreams.

CM: What advice would you offer other aspiring business owners?

KT: Plan accordingly. Never stop believing in your dreams. Be prepared for the trials and tribulations of being a business owner. Always take advantage of opportunities to invest in advertising and marketing your business.  Surround yourself with people who have agendas that are similar to yours. Distance yourself from the negative people in your life. Network. Network. Network.

CM: Any closing remarks?

KT: Yes, there is no way that I could have progressed to this point without the support of my smart and beautiful wife, who is such a vital and important part of the business. I can't put into words how much her love and support has inspired and helped me in dealing with the success of the business. Never give up on your dream and always trust in God.

(Contact information: A-K Enterprises 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd. Ste. 245. 901- 690-3899, 901-383-7723. Website: www.a-kenterprise.com; Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)