Business Mentor Helps Entrepreneurs Achieve Success

                As of last month, the Montebello Chamber offices are now a host location for one-on-one business mentoring to local businesses provided by SCORE mentors. One of the mentors assigned to lead the sessions at our offices is Don Rader who retired from a long, successful career as a production manager in the food manufacturing industry to build his own lucrative consulting business. 
                Mr. Rader earned his degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin.  He gained his initial experiences in production management at the Oscar Mayer Company, then began a 27-year career at Three Star Smoked Fish Company in Los Angeles.  When he started there, the company did approximately $5-$6 million in sales with around 40 employees.  By the time he retired, the company had become the largest producer of smoked fish in North America with approximately $85-$90 million in sales, plants in four locations and around 400 employees.
                During his lengthy career, Rader held positions at every level of management and supervised numerous aspects of the company including sales, training, shipping/receiving, purchasing, research & development, quality assurance.  He oversaw plant expansions and remodels and served as the national sales representative to Trader Joe's which alone generated sales of over $12 Million.  He was directly responsible for all purchases of raw fish products which totaled over $30 Million per year.  His extensive hands-on experience includes costing, operations procedures, equipment purchasing, long-term planning, launching new operations, and new product development.
                After retiring, Rader launched his own business, DGR Consulting, and began providing consulting services to former clients and business associates.  “I think every successful businessperson wants to see if they can ‘do it on their own,’" Rader explains. “Running your own business depends on personal drive and a certain amount of discipline.  Being the one who makes the business successful is a very rewarding experience.”  It is this enriching experience that inspired him to become a business mentor with SCORE, so that he could help others make their dreams of business ownership come true and gain this same sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.   
                We are proud and excited to welcome Don Rader and SCORE to our offices to support local entrepreneurs and managers in achieving their business goals!  SCORE is a national organization of 11,000 volunteers comprised of retired business executives and high-level managers who offer complimentary guidance and support to local businesses.  When businesses require mentoring in areas outside the mentor’s expertise, mentors are able to refer them to other SCORE volunteers with specialized skills and experience. To schedule your mentoring session, call (626) 593-1120.