At an age when many people start to think about retirement, Susan Johnson was just getting her career going.
Johnson founded Irvine-based Susan? Healthy Gourmet, which delivers meals to customers?homes, at 48.
She was one of five executives and entrepreneurs honored at the Business Journal? 15th annual Women in Business awards luncheon held May 21 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.
Johnson manages most of the visionary duties of the company, while Kerry Anthony, Susan? 36-year-old daughter, handles the day-to-day affairs of the business.
The meals are delivered with the company? fleet of eight refrigerated vans that are emblazoned with the company? logo.
In all, the company has about 60 employees operating from its 15,000-square-foot kitchen.
How it Started
It did about $275,000 in sales its first year in 1996. Last year? sales were about $4 million, down a little due to the tough economy.
The company has humble beginnings.
After living her entire life in Houston, Johnson moved to San Diego in 1994 with her husband, who was hired to lead a project to build communications cable for AT & T; Inc.
When the project was canceled, they decided to stay and buy a business to support them.
?e loved it here and wanted to stay,?she said, ?ut we didn? want a mom and pop type shop.?
After becoming discouraged with opportunities that just didn? seem to fit, Johnson took the advice of her family, who had always told her she should market her recipes.
?hey encouraged me,?she said. ?here was a similar business in Houston doing meals home delivered. I saw no one was really doing that here.?
With a $250,000 investment that came from her savings and her father, she started what now is Susan? Healthy Gourmet.
In 2004, it saw a 40% revenue boost after actor Wayne Knight, who played the character Newman on the TV show ?einfeld,?was written up in People magazine for losing weight after eating Susan? Gourmet, which later added the Healthy to its name.
About a third of its business comes from referrals from customers, another third from Internet, radio and newspaper ads and a third from recommendations from doctors and personal trainers.
Five years ago the Johnsons bought Irvine-based Lifespring Nutrition, a frozen meal company that delivers to senior citizens and does about $4 million in sales.
While the company wasn? looking to grow through acquisitions, Johnson said she got a good deal after receiving a tip from a health insurance company.
?hey said they didn? want money but wanted out of the business,?Johnson said. ?he seniors never skipped a meal in the transition.?
Johnson also recently launched its Xan Confections brand of chocolates that are non-dairy, gluten-free and low calorie.
