by Winnie Hsiu
January 23, 2012 12:16 PM
Sometimes people enter the self storage business early on in their career. Others take a winding path of other jobs before entering the industry. Charles Wood had a variety of jobs before becoming the sales and marketing director for Kodiak Mini Storage at Lake Wylie, South Carolina.
Wood graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and went into sales. For years, Wood worked for a cable company and had a sales territory in North and South Carolina. Then, things changed and Wood decided to go into a totally different business.
He found a partner and together they created a company that sold picture frames to retail stores. The business became successful within a few years. Then, Wood bought out his partner, purchased a 20,000 square-foot building and set up a new framing company. Business boomed – until the Gulf War.
In 1992, poverty levels were on the rise. Over 10 million Americans were unemployed. The country faced record deficits. Family incomes weren't keeping up with inflation and job creation was at the slowest rate since the years of the Great Depression.
During this time, sales drastically dropped in Wood's framing company. Wood was forced to close his business and put his building up for sale. It took almost 3 years to sell the building.
While looking for another job, Wood read about the American Disabilities Act. He realized that because of this act, businesses would need Braille signs for restrooms, elevators, stairways, and various rooms and offices.
He located six manufacturing companies who would make the signs. Then, drawing upon his sales expertise, he contacted different businesses and companies and sold them the braille signs.
He worked at this business for 11 years. Then, he felt that his expenses were taking too much out of his profits. In 2000, he got into the self storage business and became the manager of a storage facility. Under his able direction, the company quadrupled in 10 years.
In 2011, now at the age of 70, Wood switched from being the manager of a storage facility and became the sales and marketing director for Kodiak Mini Storage of Lake Wylie, South Carolina.
And amazingly, in his spare time, Wood sails on Lake Wylie with his 23-foot sailboat and his 17-foot Sea Kayak. He also participates in races sponsored by the Catawba Yacht Club.
Sources:
"Local entrepreneur is a master of reinvention." Charlotte Observer; 22 Jan 2012.
The Clinton Presidency Historic Economic Growth.