By Doug Pick, an EO Orange County member and President and CEO of Dap World, Inc.

For two decades, my company rode a wave of success as national leaders in retail ear plugs. We were rewarded by leading chains for being innovators. After the 2008 financial collapse, we went temporarily unscathed. It wasn’t until April 2010, however, when the first dagger struck and I was faced with a daunting choice— double down or die.