Everthere Carriers creators Steve Threet, left, Jack and Travis Mason, brothers stand by their product Annette M. Drowlette/Staff

Series will follow company's journey

Lots of people dream of starting a business. Only a few do it, and it's rarely easy.

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Sales and marketing employee Travis Mason, of Everthere Carriers LLC, demonstrates the cargo carrier at the company's Augusta Futurity booth. Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff

This year, The Augusta Chronicle will follow three business partners who have decided to take the plunge.

Building a Business is a monthly series focusing on the successes, challenges and obstacles that a local start-up company faces as it tries to go national.

The company is Everthere Carriers LLC, run by a trio who two years ago came up with the idea for a new type of vehicle cargo carrier that would be more lightweight and compact than anything else on the market.

They've hired a manufacturer, begun marketing efforts and listed their product on Web sites and in a mail-order catalog.

But there are many things ahead for Everthere, including negotiating potential deals with two large chain stores and creating an array of product accessories.

Each month, The Chronicle will feature an update on the company's progress. Each article will be accompanied by detailed information on topics such as product marketing and raising capital. Today's installment looks at the dos and don'ts of having professional designers translate your idea into a prototype. Next month, we'll examine the patenting process.

The future looks bright for Everthere, but anything can happen. Stay tuned.

Reach Adrian Burns at (706) 823-3352 or adrian.burns@augustachronicle.com.

Building a Business

Building a Business is a new, yearlong series in which The Augusta Chronicle follows the progress of a local start-up company, Everthere Carriers LLC, as it attempts to take its fledgling product to a national market. The following is the first story. Updates will be made monthly.

 • Series will follow company's journey
 • Area men get education in business as they mass-produce novel carrier
 • Go to manufacturers, designers with ideas
 • Trade show marketing is success for local business
 • Patent process is easier with help
 • As sales grow, Everthere is turning into full-time job
 • Product's success is dependent on testing
 • Local business picks up by latching onto Internet
 • Company revamps Web site to draw business
 • Everthere settles into new offices
 • Negotiating lease can be challenging
 • Family support is important to fulfilling dream
 • Work-life balance is one key to success
 • Licensing lets buyers tote interest
 • Logo-product partnership is beneficial to both sides
 • Everthere Carriers staff works together for success
 • New hires ease burden of increased workload
 • Everthere Carriers takes new product to health exposition
 • Preparation is important at trade event
 • Firm wrestles with issue of foreign labor
 • Cheap overseas work has its drawbacks
 • Everthere Carriers bids farewell to productive 2005
 • Everthere Carriers has come a long way
 • Q&A with Everthere's Steve Threet

--From the Sunday, January 23, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle