Danny Winer pivoted from a juicer to pots and pans, an act that has led him and his HexClad co-founders to much success. The company, which is headquartered in the Arts District, was ranked No. 12 on the Business Journal’s list of fastest growing companies, with revenue of $170 million. Company officials predict 2023 revenue to come in around $350 million.

Winer – who had abandoned his dreams of a career in the entertainment industry – and business partner Cole Mecray had hoped to sell millions of JuicePressos directly to consumers, but that idea didn’t pan out, so in 2013 they killed the juicer. While in China in 2015, Winer ran across a group of inventors peddling a griddle pan, a product whose look he liked. He struck up a partnership and set about redesigning the pan, whose calling card was a nonstick cooking surface etched with hexagons. In 2016, HexClad was unveiled.

The company, which now counts Gordon Ramsay as a partial owner and brand ambassador, sells its products – including pots, pans, knives, cutting boards and salt and pepper grinders – by the millions. Revenue projections for this year: $350 million.

Why has your company grown so quickly?

Simple – we design useful and essential kitchen products, but better. In the process, we’ve been able to revolutionize an industry that had been status quo for decades. We also offer an industry-best warranty and deliver great customer service which keeps our users coming back and telling their friends.  

What are your particular challenges of fast growth? Recruiting enough skilled people? The drive to expand supply chains? Acquiring enough space for your expanding needs? 

All of the above. But we’ve been really smart about anticipating and addressing these issues quickly, often getting ahead of them to avoid slowdowns or disruptions. Currently, we are expanding into new international territories which require strategic approaches that are thoughtfully designed for the specific region. Aligning with the best people in those regions has been incredibly important for us. 

Growing companies often relocate out of California. Do you think that trend will continue? Are you tempted to do so?

As businesses grow, other considerations inevitably come into the equation. So, I can imagine this trend will continue, not just in California but across the country. I am proud to be a “designed and distributed in Los Angeles company.” It’s a good fit for us currently and we aren’t discussing a move. 

 There’s been a long-standing prediction of a recession. Do you believe one is coming soon? If so, what have you done to prepare for it? How do you project it will affect you?

I certainly keep an eye on these predictions, but what we are seeing from a commerce perspective with our own business is not reflective of changes in spending or consumer trepidation in the market.  If anything, we continue to see significant year-over-year growth and healthy buying power across all demographics.

If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently at your company?

I am the type of person who values mistakes and challenges, as they teach you to be a better businessman, leader and mentor, so there’s nothing in particular I can pinpoint I wish I could have done differently. I’m very proud of the business we’ve built, hiccups and all, and I’m excited about where we are headed. 

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d offer to another leader whose company is experiencing fast growth?  

Your intuition is one of your best guides. It’s important to take counsel from your team and trusted advisors, but you know your company the best, specifically in the trenches, so when it comes to decisions that need to be made with fast acceleration, trust your instincts.