1974 was a year of skyrocketing oil prices and economic recession--overall, a difficult time to start a business. Regardless, Dominick and Carol Cocciemiglio risked everything that year to launch D/C Export. "First we took out a second mortgage on the house, which gave us $10,000 to start with," Carol remembers. "We leased a small office/warehouse in Bensenville [Illinois], and inherited some used office equipment. We were in business."

It was a calculated risk, however, because they were entering a growing industry in its infancy; only a few companies in the Chicago area specialized in export packing. Plus, Dominick had 18 years of experience working at a moving company that offered the service, while Carol worked in the office. "Carol and I were determined to do this," says Dominick. "We had the industry experience and the desire to make it work. But we didn't know what we were in for." In the beginning, Dominick, Carol and two others did everything themselves, from bookkeeping to building crates--all by hand.

Dominick and Carol continued to put all of their effort into the company, firmly believing it would work. They hired more people and redoubled their efforts to earn new customers. After three years, D/C Export showed its first profits. The determined couple had proven that they had made the right decision. While the company took on a series of investors during its early years, the Cocciemiglios bought out the final investors on October 16, 1979, becoming the sole owners once again.

Times have changed since then, but D/C Export earns and keeps customers the same way today as 25 years ago--through quality. "It's very simple," says Dominick. "At D/C we provide good-quality products and services. We do everything we can to make our customers happy." These words ring true considering that Dominick and Carol added two new divisions to the company to meet customers' needs. D/C Transport was created to fulfill shipping and logistics requirements, and later D/C Packaging was launched to solve special packaging challenges.

D/C Export opened as a partnership on April 1, 1974, and was incorporated on July 1 of that year. His years in the industry enabled Dominick to attract business through word-of-mouth. However, in order to grow, D/C needed more business. Carol says, "I did cold calling and set appointments for Dom. Not long after, we hired a colleague to do sales." Within six months, the company had to move into a new building and take on an investor. In its first year, D/C did $20,000 in sales, but did not turn a profit.

Dominick and Carol foresee the day when their children will own and operate the business. Dominick Jr. has been involved in the business from the start, working at his parents' side as he finished school. John, their other son, soon joined the family business, as did son-in-law Paul Michalak. "They will continue to nurture old friendships and build new ones," predicts Dominick. "D/C will always pro- vide good-quality products and services at the best value. That never changes." Dominick, Carol, their children and everyone at D/C Export look forward to the next 25 years of service.

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