MODERN EVERYDAY INC.

South El Monte

BUSINESS: Household appliance e-commerce

FOUNDED: 2008

TWO-YEAR GROWTH RATE: 438 percent

2012 REVENUE: $6.3 million

Responses from Chief Executive Byron Hsu:

What did you do to achieve the company’s growth?

We focus on technology and process scalability to allow fast and continuous growth. The technology helps with better decision-making and more efficient labor. Once understood, the model can be applied to multiple product lines with similar success. We followed this strategy to continue expanding.

How did you manage the growing workload? For example, did you have to add space or move into new facilities?

Of course we hire good people when needed and have an excellent team. We expanded our warehouse space twice. I personally work long hours, outsourcing nonessential tasks such as my cooking, shopping, and laundry to free up more work time. And I’ve spent over two years living in the office.

What was the biggest challenge for your staff?

Our staff is constantly adapting to the needs of the company as it evolves. One challenge has been dealing with large swings in sales volume, due to seasonality as well as growth fluctuations. This has created challenges in logistics, labor and cash-flow management.

Do you plan on continuing a fast-growth path or has the time come to slow down a bit?

Actually, our growth is continuing to accelerate. We expect to carry more product lines in different categories. We are excited for the future.

– Compiled by Jonathan Polakoff