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Tara Abraham

Founder and CEO, Accel, Inc.

The next time you buy a beautifully packaged gift set, think of Featured Lady Tara Abraham. Recognizing that there was a lack of quality, affordability and timeliness in retail packaging suppliers, Tara launched her own company, Accel, Inc. Fifteen years ago, Tara started with two people and now boasts up to 1200 associates during peak retail time – July through December. Known for its limitless innovation, unsurpassed efficiency and flawless assembly, Accel, Inc. is a certified woman-owned business headquartered in Lewis Center, Ohio. Among its numerous honors, Accel, Inc. was honored with one of Columbus Business First’s 2010 Corporate Caring Award and was the recent recipient of Limited Brands 2009 Partners in Supplier Diversity Award.

Tara originally wanted to become a fashion designer but once she began her college studies she had a realization. “It became very apparent I couldn’t draw,” Tara reveals. Despite her lack of sketching skills, Tara knew she still enjoyed the business side of fashion and shifted her major to fashion merchandising. Tara was eventually recruited by Bath and Body Works in Columbus, Ohio, a retail Mecca also home to Limited Brands, Inc. World Headquarters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Big Lots.

While at Bath and Body Works, Tara worked in product development where her responsibilities included fine fragrance and home fragrance products. As an Associate Product Manager, Tara soon realized that the outsourced sets came back late and poorly assembled. She struggled to find a supplier that could provide the quality packaging, style and reliable distribution the company required. Tara knew there was a huge need for a quality contract packaging company – one that was reliable, affordable, delivered on time, and met client and consumer expectations. In direct response to this void, Tara combined her retail merchandising experience with an eye for fashion and launched Accel, Inc. in 1995 with her husband, David, and mother, Shirley.

Accel, Inc. offers all the services a company could need, such as hand and/or automated assembly, shrink wrapping, packaging engineering and design, manufacturing of thermoforms, prototyping, sequential kitting, sourcing and new product creation.

“We specialize in the complete supply chain and offer our clients an end-to-end innovative packaging solution,” explains Tara. “We design for manufacturability, to streamline costs and to bring products to market fast and flawlessly.”

To finance the start of Accel, Inc., Tara approached her dad about borrowing $27,000 from her parents to open a 1,200 square foot location. A fellow entrepreneur, his response was, “That sounds like a nice little business for you.” Since its beginning, Tara’s nice little business has grown by double digits, expanded into a 600,000 square foot facility and established joint ventures globally. She also paid her parents back in six months.

Tara initially worked part-time on Accel, Inc. for six months before committing to it full-time. Her first client was The Limited, and for over a decade, Tara’s company has been the creative expert behind the design and assembly of the Limited Brands’ gift sets you find at Bath and Body Works.

“Limited Brands was my first client and I am proud to say they are still a client today,” says Tara. “I feel blessed to have this relationship.”

Tara knows first-hand how important customer relationships are, especially after one of her clients took a significant piece of their business to Mexico with only three months’ notice. “I felt if I was closer to the customer, I would’ve seen it coming and been able to plan for it,” Tara says. “It’s so important to be in tune with your clients.”

Today, Accel, Inc. serves more than two dozen clients across eight industries in the United States and Mexico. Tara’s best Accel, Inc. moment was winning the 2009 Partners in Supplier Diversity Award from Limited Brands. Currently, 73% of Tara’s employees are minorities, representing 12 different countries and speaking 15 different languages. Tara explains, “We are extremely proud of the welcoming and friendly environment we’ve created for our multicultural staff.”

What we learned from Tara: “Be accountable for everyone who reports to you…”

A Rep to Protect
“When establishing your reputation, be diligent, confident and innovative. Then guard it.”

People and Passion
“A passion for innovation, cost effectiveness, quality and on-time delivery is the foundation for our success. This passion can only be delivered through our people. Accel, Inc. fully believes in its people and the talents they display.”

Establish Value
“Maintain a client-centric approach. The more information you learn about your customers’ goals, vision and strategy, the more valuable you become.”

This Featured Lady was profiled by Megan L. Reese, WORDrobe® Stylist for Her Write Image in West Grove, PA.

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