Honored Leaders: Don and Hapy Mayer, Co-owners
Company Name: Small Dog Electronics
Location: Waitsfield, Vt.
Nature of Business: Apple Macintosh computer and peripheral
sales.
Founded: 1996
Revenue: $11-25 million
Growth Rate (2003): 0 percent
Number of Employees: 26
Average Tenure: 4 years
Small Dog Electronics is a nine-year-old online retailer of new and refurbished
Apple computers. The company generated $21 million in revenue last year
and is the No. 1 Apple retailer in New England. Don Mayer and his son Hapy
have created a fun working environment in which employees are allowed to
bring their pets to work, while emphasizing teamwork and training. The company
helps all employees receive certification as Apple Product Professionals
and rigorously cross-trains workers, ensuring that customers receive top-notch
service and support. This approach has helped them remain successful in
spite of increasing competition from Apple’s own retail operations.
Strong proponents of socially responsible business practices, the Mayers
have cleaned up and revitalized the grounds surrounding their office (once
the site of junkyard), started an electronics recycling program, offer employees
a day off each year to volunteer and match customer contributions to a select
group of “pet” charities.
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