Volition America Founder Had a ‘Patriotic Awakening.’ Now, His Sports Apparel Business Supports Veteran Families
The entrepreneur says his business isn’t red or blue, but “red, white, and blue.”
EXPERT OPINION BY MARC BERMAN, FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PROGRAMMING INSIDER
John Sapiente has built his career by entering industries he doesn’t always know, figuring out what makes them work, and finding ways to build something better. From manufacturing and medical devices to apparel and e-commerce, his career has been defined by knowing when it’s time to change lanes.
That approach led Sapiente to Volition America, the lifestyle clothing brand he helped build around patriotism, service, and choice. A portion of proceeds supports Folds of Honor, a nonprofit providing educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders.
For Sapiente, the broader lesson is about adapting,
For Sapiente, the broader lesson is about adapting, testing ideas and knowing when to challenge conventional thinking.
From manufacturing to medical devices
Originally, Sapiente dreamed of becoming a sportscaster. After studying communications at the University of Kansas and interning with NBC Sports, he entered business and eventually returned to his family’s manufacturing company, Elgin Die Mold.
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He helped transform the company into a highly automated manufacturer of precision automotive components. But when the 2009 financial crisis brought the automotive industry to a standstill, Sapiente learned an important lesson: Diversification within one industry doesn’t necessarily protect you when the entire industry faces a downturn.
He responded by looking outside automotive, eventually acquiring
He responded by looking outside automotive, eventually acquiring Trident Manufacturing and applying his expertise to medical devices.
The experience reinforced a philosophy he still follows: Research the opportunity, understand the risks, learn what you don’t know, and then act.
Source: www.inc.com
