On May 19, 2011 in Washington, D. C., the SBA honored Barry Levin as California's SBA Person of the Year. While in the nation's capital, Mr. Levin was also distinguished as one of 18 Small Business 'Champions of Change' and met with representatives from President Obama's office. The honorees met with Administrative officials and discussed their experiences and challenges with SBA and White House policymakers.
To celebrate the 48th celebration of the role small businesses play in our economy, Mr. Levin and the other CEOs were given this recognition as part of National Small Business Week 2011. More than half of the population in the United States works for or owns a small business, so Americans, stand up and take notice.
Snak King hires future CEO in 1979.
Levin has been a part of Snak King since 1979 after graduating from college with a degree in business. He started as a machinist back when the struggling company's only product was pork rinds. As the third employee, his input went a long way. After one year, he bought out one of the partners. As with most entrepreneurs, his job description ran the gamut while he continually used his entrepreneurial strategies and skills to grow the company.
One of Mr. Levin's biggest challenges presented itself in 2004 when part of the plant's roof collapsed and ruined $13 million worth of production equipment. Rather than walking away with the insurance money, as advised, he and his employees worked day and night to return the operation to its productive state. It took three years and more than $30 million to do so.
The payoff was growth.
Today Snak King has over 400 employees and has doubled its capacity, producing 650 products such as: Guacachips, Cheese Puffs, Veggie Chips and Bruschetta Chips. The original 1,200 square-foot plant has expanded drastically to its impressive 177,000 square-foot facility in the City of Industry, California.
"My personal belief is that it's not what happens, it's how you handle what happens," said Levin.
"I also share President Obama's belief that America can 'out-motivate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world' thanks to the entrepreneurial genius of the small business community."
Information about the 'Champions of Change' program and all the honorees is available on the White House website.
Sandra Faleris - Sandra Faleris: Writer for Travel, Business, Music, Film and Over 50 Tips. For more information or contact: Sandra@Faleris.com.
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