EDITOR'S NOTE: Building a Business is a yearlong series in which The Augusta Chronicle follows the progress of a local startup company, Everthere Carriers LLC, as it tries to take its fledgling product to a national market. The following is the sixth article in the monthly series.

Everthere Carriers LLC has found a home of its own, and company officials hope the move will take the business to a new level.

The Martinez-based startup, which operated for two years out of the founders' homes, recently moved into a "real" office, complete with warehouse space.

"It's a place to have meetings and to bring in clients and entertain them. It's kind of a central hub where we do business," said Travis Mason, a marketing official for Everthere, which manufactures and sells vehicle cargo carriers and accessories.

The office, a 4,200-square-foot space at a Martinez industrial park on Commercial Boulevard, has a large reception area well suited to product displays, a small kitchen, three spacious offices and a large warehouse.

"It fits us like a glove," Mr. Mason said.

Company officials, accustomed to having weekly meetings around President Steve Threet's dinner table, can now interact as they work, and be within arm's reach of paperwork, models, correspondence and everything else they might need.

"We used the (home) office as long as we could. We couldn't work out of that any longer; it's too tough to do," Mr. Threet said.

As Everthere's sales have gained momentum, the need for the office has increased, he said.

The past six months have seen the company bring on a new executive, secure numerous online and print catalog retailers and ink deals with stores such as Cabela's, an outdoor supply company.

Company officials expect the best is yet to come, though.

"These next couple of months are going to be very, very interesting," Mr. Mason said.

As the year progresses, officials expect quarter-over-quarter sales to double - and the company's growth rate could even exceed that if the correct deals are made.

"It appears that we may be in a position to accelerate growth, but we're in uncharted waters," said George Pocisk, the company's director of sales and marketing.

Though details are still under wraps, the company is working on distribution deals with some of the nation's biggest companies.

"We're doing some testing in what could become a huge contract for us," Mr. Pocisk said.

The impending explosion of orders for Everthere's carriers hinges on three priorities the company is pursuing. The first is to start selling its medical lift, a device that allows its hitch-mounted carrier to be mechanically raised and lowered - an idea that so far has received much attention from the medical industry, Mr. Pocisk said.

The second priority for Everthere is to close a deal with a national retailer or big-box store, he said. Reaching that goal hasn't been easy, Mr. Threet said.

"It's a little frustrating. We can't get the big fish to bite. I think it has a lot to do with the size of our company, but we're close," he said.

Despite the hurdles, Everthere is nearing many milestones, he said.

The other major goal for the company is to make progress in marketing its carriers to the "tailgate party" consumer by acquiring the rights to have carriers bags emblazoned with college and professional team logos.

With so many new goals and challenges on the horizon, having a common space to do work will help the company tackle its goals, Mr. Pocisk said.

"It will add stability," he said.

About a third of Everthere's space is made up of offices, but the majority is a large warehouse area complete with garage doors big enough to drive vehicles though.

Because of the mix of office and warehouse space, Everthere's new location will be even more versatile, Mr. Threet said.

The warehouse will allow the company to store its carriers, test new products and provide a work area.

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