Transcript
Ben Walter (0:07)
Every story has a hero. Some of them are very clearly heroes, visibly, you know, the muscles, magic hammer, slash, lightsaber, chainsaw. But sometimes they're unlikely heroes pulled into trials kicking and screaming. Either way, what makes a hero is the willingness to stare down the challenge and the courage to take it on, even if they have no idea how they're going to survive. Terry Iverson was staring down a major challenge in 2009 when a client, Iverson Co. Had had for 80 years severed ties.
Terry Iverson (0:38)
I don't know if we can make our way out of this. It's easily 70% of what we did at the time.
Ben Walter (0:45)
This was a company founded in 1931. It had survived the ups and downs of the depression, wars, shifting politics, social trade winds, huge financial losses, and more. Over its 80 year history, it had survived it all. First under Terry's grandfather, then Terry's dad, then Terry.
Terry Iverson (1:03)
And my dad was very adamant. He wanted me to close the business because the business model had changed so dramatically.
Ben Walter (1:11)
Terry's dad loomed large in his life. He had operated Iverson Co. Under his own exacting standards. But this time was different. Terry was in charge and he was willing to stare that challenge down and take it head on.
Terry Iverson (1:25)
I'm not going to close the business, I said. There's people that I'd like to get to retirement age. And so my goal was to double down and make sure the company survived. But at the same time, I had to also plan for after the company because I wasn't sure when that was. And forming Champion out was part of that.
Ben Walter (1:44)
And today's story is more than just the company surviving. Terry is on a quest to save his entire industry. Welcome to the Unshakeables from Chase for Business and Ruby Studio from iHeartMedia. I'm Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business. There's nothing small about the impact small businesses have on America. They don't just drive our economy, they drive, they define our communities, create opportunities, and inspire the next generation of dreamers and builders on the unshakables. We are sharing the daring moments of business owners facing their crisis points and telling the stories of how they got through it. As always, Kathleen is here. Kathleen, welcome.
Kathleen (2:30)
Glad to be back with you.
Ben Walter (2:32)
This episode is super interesting to me because we've touched on this issue before. Labor, and specifically the shortage of labor for manufacturing is an issue here in the US Our guest today is not only a huge champion for fixing that challenge, but he's also the third generation owner of a US manufacturing company. On today's episode Iverson Co. And Champion now from Chicago, Illinois. As I mentioned at the top, Iverson Co. Was founded in 1931. As it approaches 100 years of business, I. I was excited to talk to Terry. I've been doing a lot of research myself on manufacturing and reshoring, so it's a treat to talk to someone living it every day. Terry, welcome to the Unshakeables. It is great to have you here on a sunny afternoon.
