From Small Village to Global Success: The Linortek Journey
As recently featured by the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), Linortek’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and strategic growth.
When Liyu Nalven started Linortek with her husband Gary in 2012, she couldn’t have imagined the company would one day be serving Fortune 500 clients and exporting to dozens of countries. Yet her Linortek journey to entrepreneurial success began long before that, in a small village in China where she learned the value of hard work from her parents despite facing significant hardships.
Building a Foundation
Armed with degrees in accounting and international trade, Liyu immigrated to the United States carrying dreams of success. When her husband Gary lost his job in 2012, they saw an opportunity rather than a setback. Drawing on Gary’s industrial engineering expertise, they launched Linortek using personal savings and crowdfunding.
The early years weren’t easy. Working overtime became the norm as they struggled to find their footing in the competitive industrial automation market. The breakthrough came when they made a crucial strategic decision: instead of trying to compete with industry giants, they would carve out their own niche.
Finding Their Niche
“We don’t have the resources to compete with Honeywell or another big company,” Liyu explains. “So that’s why we focused on the niche market, like the school bell.” This focus led to the development of their signature wireless bell system, perfect for schools and manufacturing plants needing to signal breaks and shift changes.
Working with SBTDC from 2012-2017, the Nalvens refined their business plan and sharpened their value proposition. Through SBTDC’s Investor-Ready Entrepreneur events, they learned to better articulate their vision to potential investors and identify their target market more precisely.
Going Global
By 2018, Linortek was ready for international expansion, starting with Canada. Liyu’s participation in SBTDC’s Export Bootcamp proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of international trade. What began as a strategic entry into the Canadian market has evolved into a global presence, with exports now accounting for 20% of total sales.
The company’s growth trajectory has been remarkable:
- 30% year-over-year growth for the past five years
- Expansion into dozens of countries
- A client roster including Boeing, Ford, and L3Harris Technologies
- Growth to twelve full-time employees plus part-time assembly workers
- Recognition as SBA’s NC Small Business Exporter of the Year in 2024
Keys to Success
Liyu attributes much of Linortek’s success to the ongoing support and guidance received from SBTDC. What began as a formal counselor-client relationship has evolved into a trusted partnership. “In the beginning, when I worked with SBTDC, it was like counselor and client, and now it feels more like friends that I can talk to whenever I need resources,” she reflects.
Her most valuable lesson learned? “If you want to scale your business, you have to work on the business,” Liyu says. This mindset shifts from working in the business to working on it has been crucial to Linortek’s sustained growth.
Looking Forward
Today, Linortek continues to innovate in the industrial automation space, focusing on easy-to-use, reliable ethernet I/O controllers. Their success story, from a startup born of necessity to a globally recognized brand, serves as an inspiration for other small businesses looking to scale internationally.
This article was inspired by the original success story featured on the SBTDC website. Linortek’s journey showcases how targeted support from organizations like SBTDC can help small businesses achieve their global ambitions.
