Lexington Leather Goods
Siblings Camerina Torres, Max Montalvo and Maria Torres worked for the same company for their entire careers, more than 20 years each, when the owner, Louis Levin, decided to sell. Battered by foreign competition, the handbag and briefcase maker was nearly sold to another company until the three siblings stepped in to buy the company which is now re-named Lexington Leather Goods.
Camerina, now president, started cutting and packing merchandise and later rose to quality control and production manager. Max, the secretary-treasurer, began as a parking lot attendant. Maria, now vice president, handled packaging and quality control before taking over the screening department.
Today, Lexington Leather has done $1.35 million in sales during their first nine months in business and employs 23 people. The company recently received a $10,000 Challenge Grant to help with marketing efforts including updating the company's catalog, and creating a new website. Max has also attended CCV-sponsored workshops that have helped him learn more about sales and marketing.