Thea Chase, director Cal Poly SBDC for Innovation with Amy Kardel of Clever Ducks.
In 1992, Amy and Peter Kardel took the leap and launched Computer Network Services – renamed Clever Ducks in 2007 – as their foray into entrepreneurship. The Cal Poly alumni were determined to be leaders in the information technology sector both in the growing coastal town of San Luis Obispo and beyond.
On June 13, Amy and Peter were honored by the UC Merced Regional Network for the success of Clever Ducks and for embodying America’s entrepreneurial spirit. Clever Ducks was named the 2013 Outstanding Business of the Year – an honor that comes to no surprise to the San Luis Obispo community.
Both the Cal Poly SBDC and the Kardels are honored and excited about this award and eager to continue developing Clever Ducks into a leader in the IT industry. Peter is passionate about integrating technology and business intelligence for Clever Ducks’ clients, and has led the company’s growth from day one as CEO and CTO.
Amy began her post-graduate career by traveling the globe for international technology companies and expanding her skillset before launching Clever Ducks. Amy’s philanthropic nature, penchant for working hard and entrepreneurial spirit make her a natural business and community leader. As a result, Clever Ducks is very much integrated into San Luis Obispo’s growing entrepreneurial culture and ethos, and community leaders have consistently recognized both Amy and Peter for their leadership.
“Amy is the driving force behind many initiatives in our community,” said Jan Marx, mayor of San Luis Obispo. “The staying power of her business is impressive and indicative of Amy’s connections in the community and hands-on approach to business.”
Part of Clever Ducks’ recent success – including their move to a recently renovated 7,200-square-foot building on Broad Street in downtown San Luis Obispo – is due to the assistance of the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center for Innovation. A branch of the UC Merced Regional network, the Cal Poly SBDC assisted Clever Ducks in settling into its new digs and continuing to grow as a company.
Thea Chase, director of the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center for Innovation, was thrilled but not surprised to hear of Clever Ducks’ award.
“Amy and Peter have crafted their business into more than just a service provider; they are truly an asset to the community and are proactive about giving back and developing their business into a lasting venture,” Chase said.
The Kardels feel passionate about giving back to the community because the community has been vital to Clever Ducks’ success. Banks, mentors and community leaders have been instrumental to the company’s growth from the start, and Amy and Peter have embraced the wisdom and guidance of their peers every step of the way. To be honored by the SBDC is a reflection of the fact that the Kardels have taken every bit of help and used it to build a truly lasting and admirable business.
For more information on how the Cal Poly SBDC assisted Clever Ducks, see a UC Merced SBDC video online at bit.ly/16L4GQu or visit sbdc.calpoly.edu.