SNAPSHOT > SMARTS>> Gerald Chamales
51, CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA-BASED RHINOTEK COMPUTER PRODUCTS
Entrepreneur magazine, August 2002
By April Y. Pennington
DESCRIPTION: imaging supply company selling Rhinotek brand recycled inkjet
and laser cartridges
START-UP: $7,000 in 1980
SALES: $42 million to $45 million projected for 2002
SOUL SEARCH: At 26, Chamales kicked an alcohol and substance abuse problem. Having
worked at an imaging supply company, he decided to take his
experience and start his own operation. Self-enrichment audio
tapes and books were extremely influential in his road to
recovery and success.
A SECOND CHANCE: After he failed at his first business attempt due to fear and lack of
commitment, it wasn’t until Chamales suffered liver failure in
1981 that he wanted to try again. He started by making sales
calls from the hospital bed.
RECYCLED LIVES: Roughly 33 percent of Rhinotek’s work force comes from halfway houses,
welfare rolls and drug-treatment programs. These employees are
assigned a mentor and enrolled in a training program. Says
Chamales: “You could say we recycle human beings. Instead of
giving them a handout, I’m giving them a hand up.”
FROM RAGS TO RICHES: “We just had our first millionaire retiree, Alan Jacob. He started
16 years ago from a halfway house and became a VP,” Chamales
says. “That’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?”
RHINO RESCUE: “Rhinos are remarkable creatures, and I love their resiliency,” says
Chamales, explaining the company’s unusual name. “We support the
LEWA Wildlife Conservancy, a preserve for lions, rhinos and
giraffes. Giving is the greatest gift of all.”