Richard Supper is the President and CEO of ABC Discount Appliances in Pennsauken, NJ. He also serves as the current Chairman of the Better Business Bureau of NJ and is a respected figure in the New Jersey business community.
The BASA Awards caught up with Richard, a 2023 winner in the Best Entrepreneurs category, to find out how he got here.
Do you have a mantra or a motto that you live by?
Fall Forward! Simply put, when you fail or fall, learn something from it.
Can you tell us about your business?
ABC Discount Appliance is a family-owned business that we’re proud to say - has been serving this community since 1949. The business was founded with a commitment to the customer, and this continues today. We provide the best appliances in the industry at a competitive price along with excellent customer service to match.
ABC is a family business across multiple generations, I’m sure you’ve seen many successes down the line, but what are you most proud of?
I’m proud that our business has stood the test of time and not only survived but thrived since its inception. This is no small feat when you consider that the average life-span of a family-owned business is 24 years. Interestingly, only 40% of U.S. family-owned enterprises turn into second-generation businesses and that figure drops down even further to 13% by the time it reaches the third generation. The fact that we are still here and stronger than ever is a huge feather in our cap.
What excites you most about the work that you do?
I love a challenge, so when faced with a challenging circumstance by a customer - my goal is to not only solve the issue but to exceed their expectations.
How do you stay motivated?
I think it’s important to wake up each morning with a sense of purpose and to find ways to enjoy this ride called life. One of my biggest motivators is my family’s success.
Tell us about 5 of your favorite things.
When it comes to my favorite things, a few stand out right away. My go-to airline is Cathay Pacific, and for hotels, I always enjoy staying at The Ritz. My favorite restaurant has to be Carte Blanche in Aruba; it’s just fantastic. For style, I’m a big fan of Burberry, and as for cars, I’d choose a Range Rover any day.
"Do the right thing even if nobody is watching. I believe an achievement is a milestone in one’s journey, but it does not define you as a person or your character."
Richard Super is the President of ABC Discount Appliances, Pennsauken, NJ, United States. For more information, visit our website.
