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Small Business

An author of six books in the fields of leadership and negotiation, Peter Barron Stark knows how to lead a company. The president of Peter Barron Stark & Associates, Inc., Stark helps companies reach the type of corporate atmosphere that would most benefit the company’s employees and clients by transforming the workplace culture of the corporation.

For the last 15 years, Peter Barron Stark & Associates has worked with leading San Diego organizations, such as the San Diego Padres, Petco, WD-40 Co. and Callaway Golf Co.

The company’s services include employee opinion surveys, customer service surveys, strategic planning and a host of training programs, from management and leadership training to customer service training.


RESUM & #201;

Name: Peter B. Stark.

Title: President.

Company: Peter Barron Stark & Associates, Inc.

Address: 11417 W. Bernardo Court, San Diego.

Phone: (858) 451-3601.

Founded: 1990.

Prior experience: Owned my own commercial printing company. Taught at San Diego State University, College of Extended Studies, in the fields of leadership, sales and management.

Average hours worked weekly: 50.

Source of startup capital: Personal savings of $35,000.

2003 revenue: $1,400,000.

2002 revenue: $1,200,000.

Number of employees: 7.

Web site(s): www.pbsconsulting.com and www.everyonenegotiates.com.


BACKGROUND

Born: Jan. 29, 1958, in West Covina.

Education: Bachelor of arts in psychology from San Diego State University.

Residence: Poway.

Family: Wife, Kathleen; son, Barron, 14; daughters, Brittany (in heaven), Brooke, 10, and Brianne, 3.

Hobbies: Snow skiing and playing the piano.


JUDGMENT CALLS

Reason for getting into the business: I was involved in Toastmasters and teaching at SDSU in the College of Extended Studies and I knew I had found my passion. I wanted to help businesses solve their “people problems” and build excellent workplaces.

How I plan to grow the business: Ninety-nine percent of our business is through referrals. We’ll grow by continuing to provide exceptional value to every one of our clients.

Biggest plus of business ownership: Having hundreds of bosses (our clients) instead of just one.

Biggest drawback: Balancing the risks with the rewards.

Biggest business strength: Building lifelong relationships with our clients.

Biggest business weakness: We are so busy day to day, it is hard to find time to work on our long-range goals, like writing the next book.

Biggest risk: Investing in an 8,000-square-foot office building when we only needed 4,000 square feet.

Smartest business decision: I have written six books in the areas of leadership and negotiation skills.

Biggest business mistake: I wish I had written 25 books. It’s not too late.

Toughest career decision: Letting an employee you care about go when they are no longer the best fit for the business.

The most important part of my business: Our team. I have tried to hire the very best people and treat them well. Our average length of service with the company is over eight years.

My business works best when: We are really busy with too much work to do.

Biggest ongoing challenge: Continuing to market our business when we are really busy.


GOALS

Goals yet to be achieved: I’d like for one of my books to be on the best-seller list. I’d like to help every company in San Diego truly understand the value of their employees and become an employer of choice.

My five-year business plan: Continue to seek out great leaders who are passionate about creating an excellent workplace and help them to become even more successful.

Best way to stay competitive: Produce significant results for our clients.

How do you measure success: I am happy, my family is happy, my staff is happy and I sleep really well every night.


PHILOSOPHY

I would sell my business only if: Both my staff and my family were happy with the buyout. We have all built this together.

Guiding principles: Be honest, even when it costs you something. Work harder and smarter than your competitors.

Most admired entrepreneur: Thomas Edison. He had so much failure and so many bad days in his life, but he always bounced back.

Important lessons learned: My oldest daughter, Brittany, passed away in 1998 waiting for a heart transplant. I have learned that life is short. You need to do what you love to do. When you do it well, the money will follow.

Advice for those looking to go into business: Part of success is being technically strong at what you do. The other part, which is even more important, is being able to connect with the right people who need your products and services.

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