While I understand where your heart is in this post, and I have and will continue to support the family businesses when I can, the reality of capitalism is that almost every single one of these small companies in the saddle industry only pray for the day that their business is big enough to gain the attention of a GSM Outddors so they can sell out and move on with their $ piece of the pie. Logic also flows that the more you support the little guys, the faster they get to sell out to the big guys.
Also, there are lots of little guys employed by the big conglomerates that are just feeding their families and don't get to drive Bugattis, so they are negatively impacted by statements like this when acted upon too.
Just throwing out a broader view on the subject. More competition in this industry, from both small and large companies, should be welcomed. Capitalism is not always fair, but way better than the alternatives!
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I appreciate the respect and sharing your view on the subject
@Bwhana. I have to believe that not every small business owner dreams of the day they can sell out. Look at Mathews and G5 Outdoors/ Prime Archery as a small example. Two great 100% private companies who have yet to sell out – despite massive success over many many years. They have most likely gotten loads of offers to sell over the years, but keeping the business in the family or local is more important. Sometimes business owners just want to make a comfortable living for themselves and their employees and not be in it to cash a check with a lot of zeros in it. It's not always about making loads of money.
Shows like Shark Tank have created this new breed of entrepreneurs demanding instant sales and success so they can sell out a couple years later and enjoy their fast money. I'd rather support or have a business generating a realistic and sustainable income for 25+ years than pump up a business to cash out and leave everyone else wondering why they just lost their jobs due to a massive restructuring of the company.
I understand there are families paying the bills at every level of business size. In my mind, choosing to support the little guy actually keeps more working Americans employed because it keeps more money here in America instead of oversea manufacturing or an investors stock. Every single time you shop small, more cents per dollar stay local which goes to support more businesses and employees.
Competition is always healthy – but leeching off someone else innovation and ideas when they know absolutely nothing about it – wrong kind of competition in my book. If nothing else, I hope it will generate more buzz and spur the little guys onward and upward to keep innovating and driving this awesome style of hunting forward. And yes, I would much rather see capitalism than any other alternative. Good point.