Karl Deardorff’s smart moves with SLO Sail and Canvas

May 1, 2021  |  Feature, Perspective

At age 19, Karl Deardorff bought a sewing machine from Leo Robbins, his first sailing instructor. “I wanted to be able to fix and alter my own sails,” he says. The machine went with Deardorff to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he was also on the sailing team.
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Scott Sutherland: Ready for anything

April 1, 2021  |  Feature, Perspective

In the summer of 2020, Scott Sutherland was elated with record-shattering sales, but he was also in a situation he had never imagined: out of aluminum, out of fabric, out of nearly every component used to make tents.
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Monica Stockburger: Tailored solutions

February 1, 2021  |  Feature, Perspective

Southcentral Alaska is filled with spectacular natural beauty, hardworking people and an array of fishing boats and other vessels that are often in need of repair. The latter fact creates an opportunity for Monica and Mike Stockburger, owners of the marine fabricator business Salty Cushions in Homer…
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Matthew Dickerson: Daring to succeed

January 1, 2021  |  Feature, Perspective

A 6-by-4-inch yellow paint chip sits in a shadow box on the office wall of Matthew Dickerson, president and CEO of Tenshon, a shade sail manufacturer in Mesa, Ariz. More than a conversation starter, it symbolizes one of the most profound moments—and failures—of Dickerson’s career.
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Carolyn Hajek on staying small and strong

November 1, 2020  |  Feature, Perspective

Pride City Awning & Canvas founder Carolyn Hajek has built her business on trust and loyalty. by Laurie F. Junker  The successful formula for Pride City Awning & Canvas is the application of a simple principle—treat customers, suppliers and employees with honesty, fairness and loyalty…
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John Delaloye: Innovating for the end user

October 1, 2020  |  Feature, Perspective

John Delaloye combines Diamond Brand Gear’s history and reputation with a strategy that focuses on doing what lower-priced competitors can’t.  by Michelle Miron I get really pumped about new products, new fabrics, and when we learn from something we’ve researched or read about or seen somewhe…
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Barry Adams on the science and art of the awning business

August 1, 2020  |  Feature, Perspective

by Jill C. Lafferty “You have to be an exceptional artist. You’ve got to be able to create a vision for your customer,” says Barry Adams, owner of Peachtree Awnings in Norcross, Ga., and Tennessee Awnings in La Vergne, Tenn. “Where the customer lacks vision, we have to give them a vision…
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Jan Kellogg’s strategy for growth at CCP Manufacturing

July 1, 2020  |  Feature, Perspective

Jan Kellogg looks at the big picture for each job that CCP Manufacturing takes on, leading the company into new markets.  by Jill C. Lafferty “I love working with someone who turns to us with a new idea, saying, ‘Hey, can you make this work?’ We love taking the time to be able to do &…
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