Taking Over

In class Monday we were shown some statistics about next generations taking over a family business. I would technically be the third generation taking over our business. The statistic showed that only 13% of business's stay around after the third generation has taken it over. I sat in my seat and was shocked, honestly. I guess some family members aren't into the product that the business is selling or doing. I myself am very interested in taking over the family business. It is something that I didn't use to like because I was always doing the manufacturing end. Now I am getting more and more involved and I love it. I love running a business and marketing a business like I am for our family business, Saftisports. It is so intriguing to me to see how things are run. Even though it is a small business right now there is a lot that goes into keeping it a float. My parents put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the business.  It is also all in the heart. My grandfather, who started it all, was very passionate in it. My father, who is currently the owner of Saftisports, is very passionate in the business. In a way I want to keep my grandpa happy up above and show him what the business can become. He would be so proud of me. I just want to keep the business and tradition going on. I want to achieve my goal for the ones I love.

It's All Family

If there is one thing that people are shocked about when they hear about our business and how it runs, it would be that it's all family. Everyone that works for Saftisports are related to my parents. The main contributors/workers are my sister and I. With only having four workers you would never guess how many goggles we produced in the last year. Any guesses??? Hopefully the count will double this year. So, far we are on a good track and if all goes well we will have a successful year. It will all be worth everything that we have gone through to get to the point we are at today.

The Next Step

Now that the business has it's feet on the ground it's time to spread the word. The one thing that Saftisports has done is has a logo that gets printed into the middle of the goggles. So, when you see the engraved logo you know who made them and simply check us out. Since I am the marketing major in school I help out a lot with marketing the product. Right now I am in the beginning stages of looking for the number one magazine for horse racing and sky diving. These two sports are our top customers. To get the word of our new and improved business out I have decided to promote in magazines. In each magazine there will be an ad with all of our information. Since it is now February, I have a little time to think about it and get the ad in by the time it is prime horse racing season. Hopefully this will get the word out and we will be on the way to a successful business. I know of course we are in a rough patch with the economy, but goggles are a product that is needed for horse racing as well as a variety of things. "The dream" continues.

The Beginning

Saftisports, LLC began in March of 2010. It really is just the beginning of the company. As of November, 2010 it was do or die when the launch of the website happened in for the on-line store. It was an exciting but nerve raking moment when it was finished and launched. You can check it out at www.saftisports.com. A story that I will never forget happened over winter break.... It was almost two months after the website was launched and a fax came through. It was the first official order for Saftisports. I have never seen my dad before with such a twinkle in his eyes. It was such a form of relief when it all happened. After all of the hard work my family has put into the new business it was such an achievement to see "the dream" coming to life. All the money and hard work put into it is paying off. What they say is true in this case..."You must spend money to get money."
In the past 6 months I have seen the ups and downs, but have learned that hard work pays off.