Marx Acosta-Rubio's Success Story

Founder of Onestop

Marx Acosta-Rubio runs a company, called Onestop. It is based in Canoga Park, California and is specialized in meeting the office consumable needs. On his way to the top he had a series of difficulties from many directions. It is interesting to mention that he started his new venture in the day after he was fired from his job in 1998. The problems came from the very beginning. He failed to collect receivables for a whole year, had a lawsuit against him and also had a negligent CFO to deal with. Despite all these issues, he managed to bring his company to where his sales exceed $22 million a year. Be ready to read one of the most remarkable success stories you have ever read.

Marx had used a very unique model based on “customer intimacy” to make his business successful. While his competitors focused more on the range of products and their price, his company focused more on service, which was very much lacking in the industry. Many small business clients craved for better service, which Marx quickly spotted and built his business to meet that specific need. His staffs call up clients to find out if they are running out of office consumables. His clients love this kind of service, where they get a lot of attention for their needs. Marx’s former boss is now one of his top competitors. But while his company had to have 112 sales executives to make $27 million in 2007, Marx was able to make $16 million with just 14 people in his payroll. Great success, uh?

Marx says he never imagined he would someday be the owner of a successful business with a turnover of millions of dollars a year. Asked whether he would do anything differently if he were to start over, Marx says, “Absolutely, 100%”. He says he would try harder and take bigger risks even if it results in more mistakes. He attributes his success to his voracious appetite for reading and assimilating new knowledge. Acosta-Rubio says all entrepreneurs should learn as much as possible through formal education as well as through self study. He also advices young entrepreneurs to not start a business for making money, but for their passion. He says that if they focus on their passion, then money will come automatically. Marx has moved to a 6,000-square-foot home from his previous one which was 1300 square feet in area. He has also incorporated his dream library in his new house.