Daily Inspiration: Meet Josh Veenstra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Veenstra.

Hi Josh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was working at the power plant in the insulation department and wanted something more out of life. I was tired of the itchy scratchy show in the insulation department. On a 24-day river trip with my friends, I decided I wanted to try my sewing skills at improving the mediocre river gear on the market at that time. I set up a sewing machine in my garage and started making mesh river bags. I made a number of bags for a raft shop that ordered the bags but then closed their doors on me. I was left with all these rafting bags so I opened up Good Vibes River Gear. I stocked the store with rafting, camping, and outdoor gear.

My wife and I make all the mesh gear we sell at the store and online. Our manufacturing department has grown in leaps and bounds since I was sewing in my garage 6 years ago. We now have two sewing machines working full-time, a binding machine, a bar tack machine, and an automated grommet press. While our rafting gear is very popular, our mesh grocery bags have grown in popularity and are helping to eliminate single-use plastic bags.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have had our share of struggles over the years while we try and grow our business.

As owners, we have yet to take a salary from the business as all our profits are put back into the business to help it grow. We have used all our life savings to start this business since we weren’t able to get a loan in the beginning.

Finances are the hardest struggle for a business owner.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We customize our gear with colors and patterns you can’t find anywhere else.

Our gear is very durable and can stand up to rough use in the outdoors. The quality of our product is unmatched in the industry as we use double-lined mesh and make the products ourselves.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We are moving towards more automation in our manufacturing process.

The increase in productivity has helped propel us forward in the industry. We are growing by leaps and bounds every year and we see ourselves continuing that path of growth. The addition of our grocery bag is helping to get our products to a whole new genre of customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodvibesrivergear.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodVibesRiverGear/