Pursue Your Gift to Preserve a Passion

Once an idea gets in your head, it’s tough to let it go.

That’s what Ryan Kneedler of Springfield experienced coming home from work one day. As an avid outdoorsman, he was troubled by the waste he saw along Missouri’s waterways.

“Used fishing line, old lures and abandoned hooks were everywhere. There had to be a better way to contain these items.” Inspired and encouraged by his boss at Crossbreed Holsters to create a solution, Ryan spent several months in 2009 developing a business plan for Line Cycle Fishing.

He quickly discovered that the process is a big project to take on alone. “A lot of time, energy and money goes into building a business. I learned fast I needed help.” That help came in the form of mentors. “Mentors add value that we otherwise would not encounter.”

Ryan is thankful to those that reached out to him to offer support, advice and unexpected opportunities he never would have found on his own. “Just writing a hand-written letter to the owner of Bass Pro Shops opened some crazy doors for me.”

However, Ryan admits that he’s in the midst of a scary situation. “Once I decided to commit myself to the idea, it became financially frightening.” He took a year off to pay off business-building debt, but to also rethink his plan. Despite his doubts, and challenges finding an investor for his product, his mother offered some solid advice: finish what you started.

Ryan pushed through his doubts to get his product built. He’s gaining traction with sporting goods retailers and continues to build momentum with his product, the Line Snatcher. “It’s very exciting to get your product in your hand that first time.”

For entrepreneurs experiencing their own doubt, Ryan advises, “Pray on it. If your gift is worth pursuing, you’ll find the answer and the momentum to know you’re on the right path.”

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Post provided by Kris Edens, a copywriting and blogging resource for small business. She resides in Festus, Missouri and enjoys networking, writing and the entrepreneurial community.