Regardless of the time of day, Danny likes to start conversations saying, “Good morning!” reflecting his passion, always hoping there is more time in the day. Danny’s time (selling) started at a very young age: first selling vegetable and flower seeds door-to-door. In 5th grade he set up shop in the school’s “flea market days” selling stickers and (poorly made) glued stone animal figures. In 7th grade Danny’s father purchased him an FMC “Mulcher” and a Sears edger which set him apart from the other neighborhood kids competing in the grass mowing business. In high school, Danny started a 6 year run working part-time through college for Minkus Stamp Publications of New York at their concession in the Marshall Field’s stamp and coin department in Skokie, IL.
In 1983, the “reality of life” struck and Danny’s father said that bearings and chain are more beautiful and profitable than stamps. Danny put his extreme passion and energy into the power transmission world, living and breathing the business for the last 38 years. He is addicted to the industry!
Danny is a big collector of people and things. At a very young age he became a historian of family and his life-long strong group of friends. Danny’s friends would make fun of him for documenting life through his many cameras and documents. When you visit 4GEN’s “Our History”, this will all make “Danny sense.” Yet whenever anyone needs something from the past, Danny is the go-to guy! He likes to say that he collects a few items from a wide variety of collectibles, knowing a little bit about a lot of things. The exception began in June 2007 when by chance he stumbled upon a rare postal history exhibit, a study of WWII told through letters and other related documents. Danny became a student for life, devoting a large amount of time exhibiting and facilitating discussions all over the world about genocides and breakdowns in humanity itself. Danny regularly travels with survivors of genocides to schools/colleges where students witness first hand their important stories and messages.
The business lessons arising out of Danny’s collecting are pretty clear and from these he derives his passions. 1) Uniqueness drives value up; 2) Personal relationships and networking enrich lives; and 3) People prefer to do business with others whom they have a personal connection.
Danny is the first to seek Strategies that Stop Users in their tracks, Challenge Conventional Wisdom and Shake-Up the Landscape. Illustrations must be Bold, Copy Bright and fun to read – the 4GEN logo, case in point. All his Communications must reinforce a culture of family – 4GEN Bearing is a Family Company and everyone – employees, customers and suppliers – everyone, including his dogs that come to work every day, are part of his 4GEN Family.
Which brings us right back to people. Danny is not one that likes to spend time alone. He and his wife Natalie raised two children and had 11 Rotary International Exchange Students living in their home between 2001-2010. The Spungen home is a well-known home-away-from-home for people practically every week. His best reward is linking together customers, family and friends using his hobbies and other passions as a conduit.
