Building a business takes more than a good idea and an interested customer base. It takes planning, investment, a skilled workforce— and a healthy dose of industry knowledge. Got a plan? Rick Ludolph, founder and president of boutique specialty fabrics consulting firm Productive Solutions LLC in Marietta, Ga., has spent more than 40 years in the industry—and has worked across the supply chain to develop a comprehensive understanding of which things specialty fabrics businesses need to consider to grow and prosper. "In 2019, we had a strong economy overall, certainly in comparison to previous years, and that's given people opportunities for growth," he says. "But seizing those opportunities isn't easy. In fact, it's become more difficult. There's nothing anymore that's not highly competitive, and the segments we work in are full of challenges and disruption." Challenging as it may be, Ludolph says the time is ripe for growth— for those willing to take the following steps.
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