“I’ve always had the drive to be an entrepreneur… Of course, getting here was not easy,” said Barry Corona, the Co-Founder & President of Production Products Manufacturing & Sales Co. Inc., and the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) July Entrepreneur of the Month. Corona truly exudes the qualities of an entrepreneur and has recognized his capabilities, utilized his resources, and demonstrated an undeniable work ethic to build his company from the ground up. Production Products is a recognized manufacturing company that specializes in medical isolation and CBRN protection.
Corona was raised in a conservative household that thrived on the premise of stability. His father grew up as a first-generation American during The Great Depression, and admirably quit school in sixth grade to get a job that was needed to help his family survive. As a result, having a job was always the goal in his childhood household—it represented survival and security—but he aspired for more.
Playing by his parents’ rules, he immediately got a job out of high school at a gas company, but also managed to put himself through community college at night. During his time digging ditches at the gas company, he had a revelation, which was prompted by his elder co-workers who often discussed their missed opportunities and failed dreams. Corona knew then that he would strive to become a successful entrepreneur—and so he did.
Over the years, Mr. Corona moved into the sales industry and continued to work hard— harder and longer than many of his peers. He secured a position with a leading defense contractor, but could not suppress his desire to achieve more. “This was a great job and may have been my dream job, if I didn’t have a deep-seated drive to be an entrepreneur. Leaving Parker Hannifin to start Production Products was probably my greatest risk. It is easy to risk everything when you have nothing; however, it is even more difficult to risk everything when you are finally comfortable and have a little something to lose.”
Ultimately, the risk paid off and Corona was able to solidify Production Products as a defense and commercial contractor. Although he had always understood the intricacies of the business, he wanted to expand his knowledge base and determined that MBDA had the services and resources needed to help him hyper-grow the business. In time, he leveraged all of MBDA’s services: global business development, access to capital and finance management, access to contracts, access to markets, and strategic business consulting. As a result, “MBDA has been a critical partner in growing my business without costing any money,” says Corona.
Today, Production Products Manufacturing Sales Co. Inc. is widely recognized within the industry, and Mr. Corona’s entrepreneurial determination has allowed him to provide a platform for all four of his children to perform vital roles within the company—truly a realization of The American Dream.
Barry Corona’s Advice to Entrepreneurs
“My best piece of advice is to use the resources that are available to you. Make your first stop the MBDA and find out what tools and opportunities are available. Using the MBDA is a massive head start and at little to no cost. I wish I had known the extensive tools that were available much sooner than I did.”
About Entrepreneur of the Month
In January 2016, MBDA launched Entrepreneur of the Month, a showcase for business owners and executives who have leveraged MBDA’s programs and services in unique ways to foster growth. At MBDA, our core mission is infused with the energy and vision of minority business entrepreneurs. In highlighting those who exemplify passion, innovation, and determination, we hope to inspire business owners of today and tomorrow.
Do you know a stellar entrepreneur that exemplifies excellence, leadership, and determination? Nominate him/her today for our Entrepreneur of the Month! Please submit a nomination letter stating your reasons to Alicia Sowah at asowah@mbda.gov
Posted at 6:59 AM
Entrepreneur of the Month
