2012 40 Under Forty: Phil Berry

PRESIDENT, Jibunu

Company location: Leominster

Residence: Maynard

Favorite movies: “Dan in Real Life,” “A Man For All Seasons”

Career highlights: One of the hardest things I’ve done in my career is simply getting it started. I was late to finish my bachelor’s degree, and I returned to college with two young children and a third soon to come. I worked full time to support our family while managing a supersized courseload, all while renovating our first home, a definite fixer-upper. Somehow I graduated magna cum laude.

Community involvement: Theater in the community is one of my favorite hobbies. I sing in my church choir and teach a children’s Sunday school class. I enjoy coaching my children’s basketball and soccer teams. In 2011, my brother Ken and I led a team of 10 Boston marathon runners in an effort to raise money for autism. We all finished the race and managed to raise $50,000 for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.

Biggest success: Even though Jibunu is nine years old, sometimes I marvel at how this venture my brother Ken and I started has grown to become a real force in its industry. Every startup faces daunting obstacles: growing clientele, differentiating oneself, managing cash flow, launching on time, staying focused. We couldn’t have done those things without the commitment and contributions of our team.

Biggest challenge: Here are several: My inability to be several places at once; daily business obscuring the long-term vision; balancing work, family, fitness, and personal growth.

Mentors: Rick Tardiff, a CPA and partner at Gray, Gray & Gray in Westwood, has been the ideal mentor for me. Not only is he a dear personal friend but he has been instrumental in coaching me through difficult decisions.

Hidden talent: A lot of people at my company were surprised when they learned that I was cast as the lead in the independent feature film, “Approaching Normal.” They were not aware that film acting has been a growing interest of mine for the last three years.

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