YOU AND YOUR OHANA
What is your name?
Pono Barretto
Where were you raised?
Orange County, California
Where is your ohana originally from?
Oahu
Do you come from a family of entrepreneurs or have people close to you who have encouraged and supported your entrepreneurship?
Yes
YOUR BUSINESS
What is the name of your business?
TDC Marine Equipment
What is the best way to contact you/your business?
By phone at 714-373-8099 or email at info@tdcequipment.com.
Does your business have a website and/or social media presence? If so, please provide a link/s.
Business website: tdcmarineequipment.com
Native Hawaiian Business Directory listing: https://kanakaeconomy.com/listing/tdc-marine-equipment/
How long has your business been in operation?
30 plus years
Where is your business located today?
Westminster, California
What products and/or services does your business provide?
We are the West Coast Distributor for Vetus Boat Products and also specialize in Westerbeke, Universal, Crusader, Onan and Kubota boat parts.
Please describe your business in 1-2 sentences.
See above.
Why do you do what you do?
I have worked in auto parts most of my adult life transferring to the marine industry the past 10 years. My former boss decided to retire and the opportunity came up to purchase the business. My wife, Brenda, who also has over 30 years experience in the parts industry, and I decided this was the perfect time to become business owners.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
When did you first think of starting this business?
See above.
What type of experiences (education, work, life) were most important in shaping the skills you use to run your business today?
30 years in the automotive parts business
YOUR BUSINESS TODAY
In what stage of development is your business: pre-formation, early stage, growing, or mature?
Mature
Are you working to get your business to the next stage in development? If so, where are you in that development?
Online sales
THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS
How do you envision your business in the future?
Steady growth
IF YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE TELL US ABOUT A HOBBY, INTEREST, OR TALENT YOU NURTURE OUTSIDE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
I am also a working musician, like my father and many people in my family.
