The couple purchased the former Leander Research, Manufacturing and Distributing Inc., which at the time only provided a limited line of chiropractic products, and since then have expanded the renamed company to include four divisions carrying more than a 1,000 products and styles. They moved the company to new facilities, almost immediately outgrew their new location, in Port Orchard, and are now looking to double space by building an additional facility.

Even with their tremendous success, the two co-owners continue to work more than 50 hours a week each, continuously helping the company evolve.

It wasn't the Flahertys intention at first to go this far. The couple moved from Michigan after Rick was offered the job of overseeing Leander in the late-80s. Cathy started working at the company shortly after. But as the former owner's interest in keeping the business successful declined following his wife's illness, Rick tended his resignation. The only way he would stay is if he bought the company, he told the owner.

“We really didn't have any intention to stay with the company (after the purchase),” Rick said. The intention was actually to turn around the business, and then sell it. The couple saw great potential, and as soon as they purchased it they started making changes. Within five years, they went from a handful of products to hundreds, and have continued to add.

In 1997, the Flahertys had a change of heart. Faced with the decision of whether they wanted to concentrate their efforts on expanding the health care division, or diversify, they realized they would no longer let the company go. The decision was to diversify and go full speed.

In addition to the health care products, Leader Int'l manufactures and distributes site furnishings and outdoor products such as benches, bollards, and ash urns; as well as retails fixtures and displays. An LED division was recently created as well, following demand for some of their products but with added lights. Steel as a component is the common thread among all the products.

“What we've tried to concentrate on is niche markets, and try to push ourselves toward the higher end of those markets,” Rick said.

The majority of the work at Leader is done in-house. From the manufacturing of the steel components and the woodworking, to sewing the upholstery, making the necessary work tools and designing the product catalogs, the jobs are done at the Port Orchard manufacturing facility. The powder coating of the products is the main major job done outside.

Rick, who has extensive experience managing companies and turning businesses around, and has been self-employed most of the time, is heavily involved in the financial side of the business and designs many of the products. Cathy, with administrative and human resources experience, takes care of the administrative side.