The biggest risk Linda Haberstroh has taken was to step into the role of leader of her second-generation family business. “It was daunting to step into the role created by our founder, my mom Pam Reynolds, with her unique set of gifts, vibrant personality and incredible charisma,” said Haberstroh. At that time, Haberstroh had been at Phoenix Textile Corporation for 25 years, working her way up through various roles within the company and she knew it would not be a given to success in leading the organization in a new way.
“The stakes were high for me because of the love and commitment I felt for my family, who were also our shareholders, but also because of the love and commitment I felt for our Phoenix family and my strong desire to be the leader they deserved,” said Haberstroh. “Our team used the difficult, but important years of transition to become an even stronger company.”
Phoenix Textile is a supplier to the healthcare industry. This includes acute hear, healthcare laundries and senior living. The company’s core product lines are linen, apparel and healthcare interiors. The customer-focused firm strives to offer quality at competitive prices and stands behind its products. “We trust each representative of Phoenix Textile Corporation to continue our standard of integrity; serving our customers’ needs their way is our priority,” said Haberstroh.
Since Haberstroh was named a Titan 100 last year, the company celebrated 40 years in business and performance was above and beyond, surpassing the growth goal for the year. The firm successfully completed the acquisition of ACA Enterprises, including their Knuckle Buster brand of microfiber products. The strategic move marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth and expansion.
Haberstroh was also instrumental in leading the next generation of leaders to be active and engaged in service projects, including a Food Drive Competition. “Engagement in these projects, and others like it, to support families in our community is one way I measure impact,” she said.
The key to successful leadership is persistence and patience, said Haberstroh. “I hate to give up on a situation, a person, or an opportunity because I believe with patience and persistence, we can find a way to win together,” she said. “In order to successfully lead, being our authentic selves with all those in our organizations, with our customers and with our supplier partners, is key.”
For her authentic leadership, Haberstroh has been named a Titan 100 for the second time.
