SPECIAL REPORT: Onyx Distribution Inc.

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Downtown Los Angeles

BUSINESS: Electronics manufacturing and distribution

FOUNDED: 2011

TWO-YEAR REVENUE GROWTH: 713 percent

2014 REVENUE: $6.1 million

Responses from Chief Executive David Damavandi

What did you do to achieve this rate of growth?

We used a manufacture-to-retail method unlike traditional manufacture to wholesale, with an emphasis on e-commerce.

How did you manage the growing workload? For example, did you have to add space, hire more employees or move into new facilities?

We had to switch and lease new offices and warehouses constantly to keep up with growth. We hired new employees including sales, executive assistants and warehouse managers as well.

What were the biggest obstacles holding you back from growing? How did you overcome them?

The biggest obstacle to growth was getting funded. It’s nearly impossible for a young company to get loans to grow a business. We had to develop thorough business plans and provide our growth rates to convince friends and family to fund us.

How do you manage expectations after such strong growth?

We’re just getting started. We welcome the high expectations so we can respond to the pressure in achieving them.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned over the last three years?

Relationships and trust are the most important assets in any business. You have to be able to trust your customers and they have to be able to trust your brand and products. Deliver on what you promise.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

We have made plenty of costly mistakes along the way. But in the end you realize that they aren’t as expensive as if you had made them down the line when there is a lot more at stake.

Does your location in the L.A. area help or hinder your growth?

Downtown L.A. is a central hub of the electronics industry in the U.S. It has been tremendously beneficial for us to learn from other companies in the business here.

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