back in the place I tried to get out of....

I started in the garage.... Now I'm back in the garage 
 
Its OKAY because this one is a little bit bigger built in 1970 and we can put out tables and work outside!
 
My goal with Macks Belts was to have a building with my name on it, a parking spot right in front, build a solid team, FREE LUNCHES... Write big checks to other veteran businesses and FREE belts for the boys and there events to raise money!
 
I achieved that. Thanks to many of you reading this 
 
I was racing to be a veteran owned brand NAME and compete with the Made in China boys.. without saying SEAL SEAL SEAL SEAL.... or "Selling the Trident" as we say
 
BUT prices of everything have sky rocketed....
 
I'm sure many of you have experienced the same thing...
 
I once again was faced with the decision to either keep the infrastructure in place and start buying:
 
Mexican made leather and Chinese Made Buckles
 
Or downsize in order to keep it 100% AMERICAN MADE
 
There's a deeper reason why I have such strict standards and go to such great lengths to stay AMERICAN made. 
 
My time as a Navy SEAL taught me something about the true meaning of that American Flag and this GREAT COUNTRY.
 
I saw brave men give there life for this country 
 
The first time I saw our FLAG covering a service member coming home I was 26 years old in Africa standing watch over him.
 
His name was Alex Conrad he was 26 and was mortally wounded in Somalia...
 
I can't quite put it into words how the RED, WHITE and BLUE makes you FEEL... 
 
When it's covering the casket of a young service member whose life was taken by the enemy.... Those emotions burn in me to this day 
 
He is just one of many many men and women who have paid the ultimate price...
 
They are my reason and why I chose to put AMERICA first no matter what.... I guess it still makes me feel like Im doing my part to honor them...

I wrestle every day wishing I was still riding around in a helo with my brothers... 

GOD had other plans for me and Im grateful and LUCKY to be here... But I still struggle to accept that

Anyways...
 
I refuse to give my dollars to Mexico or China... So that left only one option

I downsized.... Even started another job 

I have kept this hidden for a while and partially because of EGO and not wanting people to know I was going BACKWARDS or wanting to give satisfaction to those cheering for my FAILURE
 
So I am back in the garage, the place I tried to get out of.... This one is a little BIGGER!
 
and Its just me, my machinist and my lovely wife answering the emails!
 
I truly believe these are the best belts ever made
 
I will continue to Keep Hammering away and hopefully one day...
 
I'll look at this picture below and tell my son Stan Conrad that his dad
 
Did everything he could do to put AMERICA first and the reason
 
WHY