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 attempts to take its fledgling product to a national market. The following is the eighth story in the monthly series.

Everthere Carriers LLC started as one man's plan, but couldn't have succeeded without a team effort.

"Right off the bat, I knew I'd need help," said Everthere partner Jack Mason, who conceived the original folding cargo carrier concept.

Deals have been sealed with catalogs, Web sites and retail stores since the team banded together. Its latest effort is a contract with Camping World, a national retailer for outdoor travelers.

Every member of the company's staff contributed to the score, President Steve Threet said.

Michelle Derrick - the bookkeeper - made initial contact with the Kentucky-based company. She passed the ball to George Pocisk, the vice president of sales, who traveled to Camping World's headquarters and pitched the carrier.

As the deal commenced, Melanie Holland, the office manager, remained on home turf, fielding phone calls and purchase orders.

Mr. Mason and his brother Travis jumped in from the sidelines. Travis switched back and forth from operations to customer service. Jack designed Everthere displays for Camping World's stores.

Mr. Threet, the Masons' brother-in-law, is the quarterback of the whole operation.

When the company started two years ago, Jack Mason turned to him for help.

"I needed him, especially for the administrative part," said Mr. Mason, who continues to work as an electrical engineer at Savannah River Site while Everthere grows.

Next, they hired Ms. Derrick to watch the books.

"It's not something I really want to do, and it's not something I have time to do," said Mr. Threet, whose daily work involves nearly nonstop calls and requests. "Give Michelle a problem and she's ready to solve it."

Mr. Pocisk joined Everthere in February after meeting Mr. Threet at a Ducks Unlimited show.

"I liked the product, and I liked Steve," Mr. Pocisk said.

Now he orchestrates sales deals while traveling the country. Last week, Mr. Pocisk went to Florida in hopes of gaining another client.

Ms. Holland, the office manager, was hired last month to be a defensive line of sorts, bouncing important calls to Mr. Threet and the other executives while handling the rudimentary ones herself.

The team members provide different skills, but they all have an "entrepreneurial spirit," Mr. Pocisk said.

"Everybody pulls it together to get the job done," he said.

Many other people have contributed to Everthere's success, including patent lawyers, business lawyers, manufacturers and engineers, Mr. Threet said.

"We all team up every opportunity we get," he said.

Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@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