Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MAY 4, 2026 29 SMALL BUSINESS WE E K Category Winner VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR The Schegg Group Typically, we are slow the first months of the year, though this year was particularly hard. What major strategic plans do you have in the next few years? We plan to refine what we have in our locations and continue to drive our customer service in unique ways to keep brick and mortar relevant. Q&A talks with Paul Mayer, president of The Schegg Group. T he Schegg Group is a human resources consulting firm that provides services including career transition programs, training and development, leadership and manage- ment coaching, team building, medi- ation and workplace problem-solving, and communications training. The firm works with organizations of various sizes across multiple industries throughout the United States. How did you get into this business? I spent my entire professional and volunteer career dealing with human resources-related activities. While contemplating retirement, I was approached by Barbara Schegg who decided her retirement was at hand. Barbara offered me the opportunity to take over TSG. The chance to run an organization with such a stellar background and solid reputation was a perfect fit for my experience and my desire to assist organizations and individuals dealing with HR-related matters. How has your business grown in recent years? Over the past years (even during the COVID-19 pandemic) our business was regularly called upon to assist with employment downsizing needs, critical managerial coaching assistance, team- building events and helping leadership teams deal with HR issues that had not been encountered before. Skills development for managers early in their careers was a critical need as many seasoned and long-term managers selected retirement earlier than anticipated. Additionally, many organizations needed assistance in managing a workforce comprised of three to four generations, with each generation having unique views and needs that required thoughtful and effective guidance and attention. Through all the changes that were happening, TSG brought the expe- rience, positive attitude and skills needed to help individuals and orga- nizations deal with the issues present and accomplish the tasks at hand in a professional and positive manner. What's a major challenge your busi- ness has overcome in the past year? The major challenge we faced last year (and many prior years as well) was dealing with much larger compet- itors. All too often when companies needed HR assistance, a larger player in our industry was called in to assist. Unfortunately, in many cases, the larger firm offered a standard "off-the- shelf" solution that did not always identify and deal with the true needs at hand. The TSG approach is to clearly seek out the root cause and help solve the problems, not only attend to the symptoms. Fortunately, we have been very successful in coming to the aid of our client base and new companies as well. What major strategic plans do you have in the next few years? Our desire is to continue to stay current with HR issues as they occur and let more companies know of how we can assist in many ways to help the organizations we serve. AI will have a large impact on employees, and the current labor force will continue to see reductions in force at all levels of employment on a regular basis. Our plan is to be the source of support to assist those impacted by a layoff and help them prepare for and secure new employment in the shortest time possible. INDUSTRY: Run Specialty Retail TOP EXECUTIVE: Megan Searfoss, Owner HEADQUARTERS: Ridgefield ANNUAL REVENUE: $4 million EMPLOYEES: 35 WEBSITE: www.ctrunco.com CONTACT: 203-240-2533 INDUSTRY: Human Resources Consulting TOP EXECUTIVE: Paul Mayer, President HEADQUARTERS: Trumbull EMPLOYEES: 5 WEBSITE: www.schegggroup.com CONTACT: 203-645-6070 Category Winner WOMAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR CT RUN CO. (Ridgefield Running Co. LLC) to serve everyone, from competitive athletes to professionals on their feet all day, with expert guidance and a personalized experience. Initially, the expectation was modest (we could keep our doors open if we sell eight shoes a day), but the community response quickly exceeded those early goals. That first year revealed a clear demand for thoughtful service and genuine care, which became the driving motivation to grow CT RUN CO. into a brand centered on exceptional customer experience and meeting people where they are. How has your business grown in recent years? In 2025, we settled into a true three- door business with the addition of our Brookfield location. CT RUN CO. acquired a small running store in 2024 and moved it to a new building on the Still River Greenway in Brookfield. This growth has allowed us to increase our team by 15%. CT RUN CO. is consistently recog- nized as an industry leader, earning Best Running Store in America in 2023 and in the top 50 every year. What's a major challenge your busi- ness has overcome in the past year? The New England weather in January and February, along with world events, kept people away. Q&A talks with Megan Searfoss, owner of CT RUN CO. C T RUN CO. is a specialty retailer focused on footwear, apparel and accessories for walking, running and everyday use. The company operates three loca- tions and provides personalized fitting services and product guidance. It serves customers ranging from casual walkers to competitive runners, as well as those seeking all-day comfort, with an emphasis on accessi- bility and community engagement. How did you get into this business? CT RUN CO. began in 2014 with a simple idea: to create a welcoming space where people could find the right shoes to move comfortably in their everyday lives. The goal was

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