Meet Judy Kochevar of The Hand Truck Company in Pueblo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Kochevar.

Judy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After a shortened corporate career that took me all over the U.S. (MBA at Arizona State), due to illness, I was back home in Pueblo, Colorado, doing some business consulting and volunteering time with SCORE helping small businesses. One afternoon my cousin’s husband, Richard Cortese, came through the door of my parents’ home pushing a hand truck. (some people also refer to it as a dolly).

He proceeded to turn the wheels in any direction as he walked around the dining room table and sideways through the kitchen door. Richard was there with his invention to show my dad and get his input on the only multi-directional hand truck in existence. My dad, Ed Kochevar, a retired machinist, was impressed, and claimed: “I think that you’ve got something there.”

At that time, Richard also asked me if I would be interested in working with him on the business side. And my journey as an entrepreneur began with prototypes, patents, lawyers, finding manufacturers in Colorado with the right equipment, product testing, proof of concept, product liability insurance, web pages, trade shows, social media, SEO, etc.

A few products later, we have re-branded ourselves as a provider of safer and ergonomically better products that can reduce workers’ injuries and injury claims and save money.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The customers that we have love our products for the versatility and the safety of their employees. It actually saves money on employee costs (often, a manager can use one person instead of two to move items). Also, it may prevent injuries such as strains or sprains. Especially now, with social distancing, it is beneficial to send one team member to do a job instead of two.

We offer the only multi-directional hand trucks on the market but as a small company, it is difficult to reach the decision-makers in large companies. We find that the team members who are actually moving product or awkward items really like our products but the owners or managers oftentimes don’t have the corporate authority to buy.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Hand Truck Company – what should we know?
We are primarily a safety/ergonomics company that also saves our customers money, whether from labor cost savings or from decreasing sprains and strains that often occur in manual material handling. It is especially helpful in tight spaces. We also help companies save money by protecting their products with our Attachit Strap that fits most available hand trucks. All of our products are made in Colorado. We have the only multi-directional (sideways and more) hand truck on the market. Its versatility is second to none. Used with or without the Attachit Strap, customers can use the hand truck to move everything from bulky furniture, signage, plywood, windows, doors computers, boxes, (under 400 lbs.) in a safe manner.

Delivery drivers easily load and unload products onto and off of their trucks. Add our attachments and beer industry employees safely move heavy kegs and cases into bars and restaurants. Our customers appreciate the service that they receive throughout the buying process and after. We appreciate the managers who see the benefits of our products for their team members.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We wouldn’t be in the business if Richard Cortese didn’t see a need for a hand truck that goes sideways. He took it a step farther and made the Hand Truck 360 multi-directional. During the testing phase, he designed and patented the changes that our testers and customers suggested.

Randy Roberts of Furniture Medic in Las Vegas tested the original Hand Truck 360, suggested a few changes as well as some type of “strap mount” that would make moving items safer., From his suggestion, Richard designed and patented the Attachit Strap for our hand trucks and other companies’ hand trucks. My late friend and SCORE mentor, Rita Friberg, worked with us on our original business plan and asked the right subsequent questions. She met with me often and inspired me to continue to take our products to the marketplace.

The Southern Colorado Entrepreneurship Competition helped to give us our business start several years ago with a small grant and exposure. The entrepreneur community in Pueblo has been very supportive of our efforts. We are grateful for our family and friends have been there for us throughout our journey.

 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thehandtruckcompany.com
• Phone: 719-671-3566
• Email: judy@thehandtruckcompany.com
• Instagram: the_handtruck_company
• Facebook: @TheHandTruckCompanyLlc

Image Credit:
Lawrence Ramos III (keg, two guys with thumbs up), Lois O’Halloran (Hand Truck 360 with white background, Attachit Straps with white background), guy in warehouse moving box sideways), Judy Kochevar (Richard Cortese using Attachit Strap with his Magliner hand truck, man moving yellow barrel), picture of Judy Kochevar (Pueblo Chieftain)

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.