"If you don't have a business plan, you don't have a real business you should quit f**** around and get a real job... "
That is what I was told at a family dinner tens of thousands of belts ago!
I had just generated $5k in one month of revenue by turning old $1 belts from thrift stores into dog collars that I was selling on social media
The world was on lockdown because of COVID-19. I had interviewed unsuccessfully for "real jobs...."
My symptoms from brain injury left me with severe speech issues that I was still in physical therapy for...
I remember how ecstatic I was to tell my family at that dinner about a "company" I was starting which eventually became Macks Belts
I was crushed by their reaction and advice.....
That picture was taken years ago at their very beginning. I had no money for tables or real tools. A few cinder blocks. and some scrap 2x4's
Over the years things have changed.....
To date, I have invested over a million dollars of my own money into building a 100% American-made belt company
To date... I have created 12 jobs for hard-working people
To date... I have donated over $100,000 worth of merchandise and cash donations to nonprofits
I have a building with my name on it and five employees that report to work daily!
None of that would have happened if I listened to the advice of those I loved the most!
Then you make your first $100,000.... Then you make your first $500,000 then you make your first $1,500,000
and those same people now say:
"Well, you can never become publicly traded...."
"You have too many SKUs to be truly scalable..."
"You can't sell a ONE man belt shop..."
My point.... is this... For anyone out there setting their goals so high that others LAUGH....
You will ALWAYS have those looking to DEFINE your limits....
But...
Believe in yourself! Find good mentors! Surround yourself with those who lift you up!
The greatest FAVOR anyone ever did for ME…. was tell me, “I CANT”
and then..... I KEPT HAMMERING! americanmade
If I can do it.... So can YOU!
