Name of Business: Rodeo Carpet Mills

Name: Carmen Murray

Location: City of Commerce, CA

Type of Business: Carpet manufacturer

What does your business do? The business designs and manufactures high-end rugs and carpets made of wool and silk. All of the rugs and carpets are custom made and are manufactured at the facility in the City of Commerce.

When and why did you start the biz? I’ve owned the company since 2000, but I’ve been running the company since 1995. I actually started work there as a part-time receptionist and worked my way up to being the general manager of the entire company. I soon after purchased the company because the deal was too good to pass up.

How Many People are in your Company? 35

What's the toughest part of running your biz? I don’t enjoy the 12-hour workdays or the feeling that I have to be so involved in every aspect of my business.

What's the most fun part? I love doing product development and the fact that I can make a decision without having to convene a committee meeting.

What's next on the horizon for your biz? I plan to keep going out and marketing my product. I’ll continue to use private money to invest into my company.

What advice do you have for others? To have a plan for your company. It also helps to do research and know about the banks and lenders who will be needed to start a business.

Prior jobs or business or education? I moved from Mexico to California when I was six. I finished high school and never went on to college.

Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself? Lou Sugarman. He was my boss when I first started working at Rodeo Carpet Mills as a part-time receptionist.

Contact Info: 5900 East Slauson Ave., City of Commerce, CA 90040 / 800-533-3292
Website URL: http://www.rodeocarpet.com