>>> 10 percent of job seekers who gained employment by the end of 2009 did so by launching their own businesses — twice as many as the year before — according to the Small Business Association’s Advocacy Office. A study by the Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship showed that over 500,000 new businesses started up in 2008. Of course, half of these will crash and burn within five years, according to Kauffman. However, these two experienced pilots have had both the pluck and the luck to steer clear of the economic turbulence fatal to the unwary. They are using the same technical and managerial skills that allowed them to fly the friendly skies to navigate past the very perils that could cause a crash-landing. “It’s very scary,” Brad Bell said. “But there came a time when we had to decide. Should we continue to live off our savings, hoping for the best, or invest in ourselves?” Rather than watch their nest egg dwindle while chasing non-existent jobs, the Bells used their savings for a down payment on a business they had no idea how to run, but were willing to learn. Troubled skies Of course, it has been awhile since the skies were all that friendly, like they were when Kristin’s father was a pilot for Northwest Orient. This was back when
Kenya is a big part of Brad and Kristin Bell’s family and a mainstay at the Invisible Fence office. With remote access to all of the files, Kristin Bell is able to work from home when she isn’t in the office.
flying was safe, passengers were serviced in style, and pilots were models of prestige and stability. “People hear that you’re a pilot and they think ‘well, you’re set for life,’” Kristin says wistfully. Unfortunately, the Bells’ experience has shown that once-true notion to be sadly out of date. The global economic crisis has not been easy on any industry, but the airline industry has been particularly vulnerable since the 9/11 attacks. Scandals, mergers, legal issues, customer backlash and volcanic explosions are threatening its continued existence. “Airlines deal with big revenues, but they have a very small profit margin,” said Kristin, 43, who attended the University of Minnesota, and then transferred to Southwind Flight Travel System in Texas to become a certified flight instructor. The effects of all this on pilots like the Bells has
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been increasingly unsustainable insecurities. “It’s a matter of survival — you finally realize that you can’t depend on anyone but yourself,” said Brad, 45, who has a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies, with a minor in Communications and Advertising. A changing industry The Bells have taught flying, and between them have four decades of flight experience at various regional and national airlines. Despite their education, experience and seniority, both have been laid off twice in the last decade. They have watched routes shortened so that younger, less experienced pilots could be hired. And often, one partner was employed while the other was on furlough. Their family life suffered. At one point, when Brad was working for Express Airlines and bartending on the side, the Bells’ income was still marginal. “We were eligible for >>>
“It’s very scary. But there came a time when we had to decide. Should we continue to live off our savings, hoping for the best, or invest in ourselves?” — Brad Bell, owner of Invisible Fence Brand in Northfield
A little ‘Invisible Fence’ history
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nvisible Fence Brand is the top selling brand of electric pet containment, with thousands of dealerships all over the United States, according to Keith Olson, owner of Invisible Fence Brand Twin Cities. The company services some 1½ million dogs nationwide, and up to 60,000 in Minnesota. The company began back in the early 1970s, when a traveling salesman named Richard Peck despaired at the number of dogs he saw along the roadside, slaughtered by cars. He paired up with an electronics engineer to patent the first Invisible Fence. The product works by digital radio signal: a wire is buried about six inches into the ground and emits radio waves that are picked up by a device on a pet’s collar, which either beeps or vibrates to deter the animal from straying beyond a designated area (once they are trained to the system). Not only is the cost far less than that of erecting traditional fencing, owners don’t have to keep their pets penned up or on a chain all day while they’re away. The radius of movement can be adjusted to individual needs. It also helps with behavioral issues inside the home — like keeping the cat off of the refrigerator, the dog out of the baby’s room, or separating competing pets from each other. “It’s the training that sets us apart from our competitors,” Olson said. “We use only certified dog trainers.” JUNE/JULY 2010 35C
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