That my product be designed, manufactured, packaged and the business operated in America was never a
question in my mind from the start. However, that was not the advice I received from the expert advisors
I sought out when beginning this business... their idea was that I should seek cheap manufacturing in Asia
and maybe outsource the phone ordering service to India or some similar country. All I could think about
this advice was, "how un-American American business has become...".
I have had, and hopefully will continue to have, a hands on approach to the development of this business.
I want this to be a business that not only benefits me and those who purchase the great products I offer,
but also be a benefit to my country. It took me a while to locate a manufacture for my temple massager in the
United States... but I did locate a company who not only was able to manufacture my products at a price
that was as good as any overseas bid, but they turned out to be located in my home state of California...
in fact, in the same county I am. Not only that, but since this manufacturer was local, I was able
to work closely with expert workers and create a temple massager of superior quality than I'd planned.
I was able to duplicate this effort in locating a US based aromatherapy manufacturer who
made top quality aromatherapy oils at competitive prices. So what' my point?
I suppose it is this:
If Americans both as shoppers and as business people would work just a little harder to find American
products and services, and give American workers a fair shot at any job, we might all discover that
WE DO have what it takes to create what we need (and want) AND that the benefit will flow to all of us... from
the local level to the national level.
It seems that in the last 20 years Americans have become obsessed with finding the CHEAPEST price for
everything. In the process we have created a culture (and business climate) where price is everything.
Well, everything has it's price... maybe the price of being cheap will be turning America into a third world country?
People can care about the issue of "quality of life", but business as a method of commerce does not.
To be blunt, the business of business is making money... and nothing else. There is no component within
"free enterprise", ie, making money through business, to address social injustice. Only people
as human beings can think about how to create a just society. Today, it is in the best interest of
large American companies to turn America into a third world country. It is just a business consideration,
nothing personal. Should I point out that large American
companies are really international companies run by "shareholders:" who want to live here BUT
who would just as soon ship all work and services overseas where labor is cheap and regulations to protect workers and the
environment are non-existent thus making profit margins higher... and they pay little in the way of taxes
(US corporations and wealthy shareholders currently pay the lowest tax rate since tax records were first required in 1934).
Made in America
Because it's the right thing to do...
More about this
All products 100% guaranteed or your money back!
It comes down to this: American made, quality products have cost a bit more in the past, but you were not
just buying the product... you were buying a way of life. You were buying cleaner water, cleaner air,
you were paying a living wage to someone working in a safe work place and who could ALSO get health care... you were buying
good, public schools and paying to keep safe roads, air travel and rail systems. You got all this buying
American products because the companies, their manufacturing and services, were here in America and
governed by American laws and regulations, both labor and environmental. Taxes by these companies were
paid locally and nationally. Yes, you were getting
one HECK of a deal buying American products in America... but then greed set in and "cheaper"
became the economical cattle call for American shoppers. Now, today, the price of buying cheaper overseas made
products and services from "American" companies has become VERY expensive for Americans...
that is the reality.
As a businessman, I want to make my business grow. I would love to sell overseas. If and when that becomes
a reality, I most likely will seek a manufacturer for my temple massager in those countries where there is demand. It
will be in their best interest and mine. I have no animosity towards any third world country. I have enjoyed visiting and
respect all industrialized nations, too. In my
heart, I want to see all impoverished countries prosper and create good paying jobs for all their citizens;
protect the environment; protect and preserve their culture through a reasonable tax structure; and become a valued member of the world community.
What I do not want to see is America become a third world county just so
"American" companies can maintain a higher profit margin.
I want to do business a new way. I've decided the place where change has to take place is
with Americans... and since that is what I am, the change begins with me and how I will do business.
I want my business to be a beneficial for all concerned, and not just about profit. Maybe I won't make
as much money as I could by manufacturing in the US and working with the best local companies...
but the benefit of my new choices will be shared by all.
If you are interested in this issue of "Made in America", here are some links to other web sites
exploring the topic.
I only wish I'd invented a way to reduce America's (and the world's) addiction to foreign oil... but that is a subject for another
time.