Janitor Turned Owner Rescues Failing Ohio Factory (A Vet - This will give you goose bumps)

Yahoo News ^ | March 1, 2012 | By Aaron Task

[Islander7]

Tony Lee always dreamed of owning his own business and sending his kids to college. Today, he's co-owner of Ring Masters, a company that makes engine rings for industrial use, and his daughter is heading to college next fall. Tony is hoping she'll be the first college graduate in the family.

Tony has achieved some of the biggest goals he set out for himself and his family, which are impressive, given he grew up in a low-income neighborhood with limited opportunities and never went to college. But what's even more inspiring is Tony Lee's journey to get there.

After leaving the Army in 1997, and a short stint at American Steel, Tony took the only decent job he could find. Tony accepted a janitorial job at an Eaton Corp. factory in Massillon, Ohio in the heart of the rust belt. Like a lot of U.S. manufacturing centers, Massillon has suffered from closed factories and thousands of lost jobs. Tony was grateful for the opportunity and made the most of it, rising from janitor to foreman in four years.

[Islander7]

Tony says he's recouped his $25,000 investment "several times over" and is now a co-owner of a growing business. Now, 9 years later, Ring Masters is a thriving business with over $4 million in annual sales. From 15 workers at the start, the company now has over 20 employees, a growing list of clients and plans for further expansion.

For anyone who's ever thought 'I can run the company better than my boss', Tony Lee is an inspiration. And he's still inspiring his co-workers and employees by working side-by-side with them on the factory floor. Tony says he "leads by example" and would never ask an employee to do a job he wasn't willing to do.

[iowamark]

thread from half hour ago:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2853141/posts

[SueRae]

I LOVE this story. Good for you, Tony. May you and your fellow workers have a secure future in manufacturing ahead of you. What a satisfying read. Thanks for the post.

[Islander7]

It didn’t show up on a search.

[Bigg Red]

Good man and a heartwarming story. Thanks for posting.

[Bigg Red]

Gets on my nerves when people give the “already posted” comment.

If you had not posted this story I would not have seen it, as I am online only occasionally in a given day.

[Graybeard58]

It didn’t show up on a search.

Not at all uncommon, unfortunately.