Dennis “Denny” Sponsel, president of RJE
Business Interiors, bought his company in
March 2000. Then the contract furniture
industry suffered its largest downturn ever,
a 42 percent drop.
While many would see doom, Sponsel saw
opportunity. He has a strong vision of a special kind of business — one that truly cares
for customers, earns their trust, operates
ethically and gives back to the community.
Now, eight years later, revenue has more
than tripled.
Sponsel took on his new venture with RJE
as a sole owner, but he wasn’t alone. He
brought in an experienced management
team, but he hefted the very weighty financial burden on his own shoulders. Even in
the midst of a struggling economy, he continued to invest in people, places and technology. He opened a new downtown facility,
upgraded technology and added key personnel to focus on the company strategy.
He convinced ever-skeptical furniture vendors and customers to work with him and
trust him by living up to each commitment
that he and RJE made.
“I believe leadership stands tall,”
Sponsel says. “My behavior, my example, my communications, my support,
my loyalty, my fairness, the way I dress
every day — it all counts.”
On RJE’s Web site, all inquiries go directly
to Sponsel, and he responds to each one.
“It is that personal touch and that personal
commitment that mean everything,” Sponsel
says.
It’s this kind of service and commitment
that transformed a failing business into a
community leader.
HOW TO REACH: RJE Business Interiors, www.rjefurn.com