7. Athena Engineering Inc.

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A general contractor that specializes in construction management, building automation systems and mechanical HVAC systems. (San Dimas)


Growth Rate 266%


Executive:

Jannie Chiera, president and co-founder


Early Days/Financing:

I was probably eight months pregnant when my husband and I received an income tax return for $5,000 and he mentioned that he wanted to start something. So I said, “OK let’s do it.” He was into HVAC and I love general contracting and I also do interior design work. We eventually got into the controls with time and computers. We had some hard times in the beginning. We did it all ourselves with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.


Big Break:

Our breaks have come in taking leaps of faith like diversifying with different federal, state, and local contracts. We’ve also experienced success by giving small businesses a chance as subcontractors, like framers or plumbers.


Biggest Challenge:

Finding and hiring the right employees. We have had people here for 17 and 18 years, who have retired from the company. We wanted a company that was more a family than a number. We’re nothing if we don’t have the right people or they don’t believe the same things I believe. Along the way, we have had some wrong people who haven’t been capable or who have lied. I do a complete screen and background test, drug testing.


Secret to Success:

A lot of faith. I came from immigrant parents. They came from Cuba right after the war in the ’40s. I watched my mom and my dad take this country as their own. They believed in what this country could do for them and what they could do for their country. They gave me the desire and the want to work.


What’s Next:

We are moving to a brand new location. We purchased land in San Dimas, and we are building. It should be done in February.

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