Founders' Forum When Setbacks Shape the Story: Dick DeNenno on Resilience
From growing up on a dairy farm to leading a successful packaging machinery company, Dick DeNenno’s story is one of faith, resilience, and entrepreneurship. As founder and president of Reliant Packaging Machinery, Dick has spent 35+ years in the industry and built a reputation for being knowledgeable, attentive, reliable, and likable.
In this episode of Founders’ Forum, Marc Bernstein talks with Dick about his unexpected journey—from teaching in Rome and pursuing ministry to navigating financial struggles and ultimately creating a thriving business serving the food and pharmaceutical industries. Through challenges big and small, Dick shares how integrity, persistence, and faith guided his path.
Key Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurship is often about seeing a need and finding a way to meet it
- Integrity and relationships matter more than quick wins
- Faith and perseverance can carry you through the hardest seasons
- Why building a business is also about building a legacy
Dick’s story is a reminder that success is less about the straight path and more about staying true to your values no matter where the road leads.
About Dick DeNenno:
Dick is the Founder and President of Reliant Packaging Machinery, LLC, an industry leading manufacturer’s representative agency in the Northeast. Reliant Packaging Machinery are brokers for Product Inspection Equipment, Packaging Machinery, and Automation equipment predominately for the food and pharmaceutical industries. He has a wife of nearly 40 years, 3 children with spouses, and 6 grandchildren.
Dick grew up on a dairy farm outside of Philadelphia, received a BS in Education from the University of Colorado and then a Bachelor of Theology degree. While his original intent was to become a full-time minister, the ministry of which he was a part, changed direction and he had to pursue a secular career. He has been in the packaging machinery industry for the last 35 years and has visited over 3,000 manufacturing facilities in the US and abroad. Prior to founding Reliant Packaging Machinery, Dick worked as a Regional Sales Manager for 2 manufacturers for over 10 years, covering most of the 50 states at one time or another. He is about to visit his 50th state next month when he and his wife, Charlotte, celebrate their 40th anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise.
Dick’s sales philosophy is to be KARL – Knowledgeable, Attentive, Reliable, and Likeable.
My life motto is: “Self-sacrifice is the passion of great men.”
Connect:
Website reliantpackaging.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dick-denenno-93b1938/
This episode is brought to you by Reliant Packaging, Providing All Your Packaging Machinery Solutions. Go to reliantpackaging.com to learn more.
📅 New episodes every Wednesday—hit “Subscribe” now!
💬 Love the show? Let us know! Leave a quick rating & review here—your feedback helps us grow!
📲 Stay connected with Marc Bernstein:
➡️ Follow on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
🎤 Got a success story worth sharing?
We’re always looking for visionary founders to feature! Apply here to be a guest on the Founders' Forum Radio Show & Podcast.
📩 Join our email list here so you never miss an episode.