What can you do with $200 and a rented truck? Ask entrepreneur Marsha Serlin, who in 1978, relying upon just such minimal assets, founded United Scrap Metal, the first woman-owned scrap metal company in the United States. From these humble beginnings, United has grown into a company that today generates revenues in excess of $150 million and employs more than 150 people.

United did not spring up overnight, however, and Serlin’s accomplishments did not come easily. Rather, Serlin paved her own road to success. A financially struggling single mother of two, Serlin was determined to provide for her children. She and her children began picking up scrap in alleys and on the side of the road and selling it to scrap yards. Before long, Serlin went into business for herself, setting up shop in her garage before moving to a small corner lot.

Intent upon survival, Serlin was determined to make her new business a success. She found a mentor to educate her about the recycling business, and she asked many questions. Armed with sound advice, Serlin began knocking on doors of businesses that might have scrap to sell, and she sold what she collected to larger dealers. Serlin worked long days, seven days a week, and she refused to take “no” for an answer, choosing instead to persevere until she located someone with a positive response.

Serlin’s unyielding determination and years of hard work have paid off handsomely. As United’s owner and CEO, Serlin oversees the company’s bustling scrap metal recycling business, which now occupies more than 30 acres and handles more than 400 types of materials, including metal, paper and plastic. United sorts, cleans, chops, bales and resells these materials to companies that make them into other products.

Through United, Serlin also has found opportunities to pay forward the valuable lessons she learned through hard work and from the advice of experts, both of which helped her to grow her own business. Serlin permits many of her customers to enlist their children’s help in separating the recyclable discards, in an effort to instill in the youngsters a good work ethic and teach them about earning money. Further, United is located in a zone targeted for economic development and as such, provides much-needed community jobs and tax revenues. And despite her busy schedule, Serlin also carves out time to participate actively in industrial associations, civic and community affairs and charitable organizations.

Marsha Serlin’s story illustrates perfectly that the challenges many small business owners face during start-up can be conquered through determination. Serlin’s tenacity has resulted in a flourishing business, which not only provides for Serlin’s family, but also fulfills important community needs. Serlin’s drive to succeed, dedication to her business, and commitment to excellence and to community service make her an inspiration and a role model for us all.