Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Levine.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I moved to San Diego in 1991 and founded Sperry West with my wife. We both had extensive experience in security cameras and systems. We had a lot of industry contacts which helped in getting credit, as well as access to prime manufacturers.
We focused on Government and large business primarily at the beginning. We also did local video security systems for the Navy and others.
Our specialty is in covert cameras of fine quality. We make our own cameras and they are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Does anyone have a smooth road? If anything can go wrong in the first few years, it did and more. I would love to be able to blame it all on circumstances and others, but we made plenty of serious & Costly mistakes.
After two or three years, Sperry west was growing and showing nice profits, but this became a challenge that we (me) allowed us to attempt to grow too fast. We were able to borrow a million dollars to expand the business.
We hired a Marketing Director, a Vice President of sales, several new sales people and doubled our space. We invested in eight injection molds for a new concept in cameras, we designed. We printed huge quantities of brochures and made thousands of well-designed product boxes.
Then, we failed to accomplish our projected growth and although business increased, it was nowhere near the level we expected. We had to cut back on our staff, our space, and most expenses as we had a lot to pay back, it was easy to get the loan, but not so easy to pay it back.
Please tell us about Sperry West.
Starting with the proud question, it starts with surviving the tough times, we are very proud of our people. Some of whom have been with us for about twenty years. We try to do the best that we can for our teammates, and they certainly take good care of us.
Most business decisions are made after discussions and with real input, from everyone. In dealing with customers, they make most decisions without the need to go to anyone else for approval.
I suffered an injury recently and have only been to our company once during the month of November. Of course, there are many things that we do with our laptops, phones etc., but isn’t nice to know, that your business can prosper even without you? That is only because of wonderful people who make sure that the business continues to run well.
If any of your readers have any questions relating to camera security, please email me (barry@sperrywest.com) and I will be happy to assist.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Seeing the infamous Marilyn Monroe calendar! Ok, I just thought of that as I have never been asked that question and I have so many nice memories.
First ride on a two-wheel bike. No training wheels and no help. Seeing uncles who returned after WWII. Taking pictures, developing pictures etc. My Uncle Bill taking me to Coney Island (we lived in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and going on the bumper cars. He was such a great driver and protector of his nephew, that he made sure that no one hit our car. I was a bit disappointed, as I wanted to hit and be hit by others!
Contact Info:
- Address: 5575 Magnatron Blvd. 92111
- Website: sperrywest.com
- Phone: 858 551 2000
- Email: info@sperrywest.com
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