![]() |
Mantus Anchors |
Frequent
readers of this blog will know that there's a special place reserved on Knots
and Boats for entrepreneurial ventures in the marine world. One such venture is led by Greg Kutsen, one
of the younger entrepreneurs I've had the good fortune of discovering while
meandering through the Annapolis boat show last Fall.
His company,
Mantus Anchors, it poised to compete with every other anchor out there, as
evidenced by his impressive video library showing comparison tests between his
designs and the titans of anchoring we’ve all come to know well. Coupled with a keen understanding of today’s
best-practices in marketing – including great ad designs, a slick website, and
a dedication to video assets – he and his products are coming onto the marine
scene in a remarkable way.
Below
is an interview with Greg about his products, his business, and his vision for
the future.
K+B:
What made you want to enter the marine business in the first place?
Greg:
It was part serendipity and part destiny. I had taken a year off work to embark
on a sailing adventure. During this cruise to South America, I became
frustrated with the uncertainty one feels while anchored and simultaneously
grew more fascinated with anchor designs. I started making plywood mock-ups and
testing them on the beach in Cartagena, Colombia. I would compare my mock-ups
in performance to the steel anchors I borrowed from cruisers. The common joke I
heard, from neighbors at Club Nautico was: “Greg, you do know plywood anchors
will not sink, right?”
I then
made several steel prototypes. It was when I got back to the US that I
finalized the design. I met Deneen, who
later became my girlfriend, and she motivated me to learn CAD software. Also,
she was very supportive with engineering advice and, maybe even more
importantly, supportive of my fanatical schedule and work ethic (i.e. obsession).
It was my mates at the marina that
convinced me to try to market the idea. I had imagined starting an anchor
company, but it was hard to justify since I am a full time Emergency Room
doctor. After some serious sacrifices, Mantus Anchors LLC was born.
K+B: Do
you have a business background?
Greg: I
did take some high school business classes and enjoyed them, but I do not have
any formal training in business, which I think would have been a great help. Nevertheless
we learn as we have to everyday.
K+B:
How did you come to the US originally?
What is your story?
Greg: My
family emigrated from Moscow, Russia (former Soviet Union) in 1989. We were
lucky because at this time Soviet Union was a closed country and we were only
able to leave because we are Jewish. During
this time, small number of Jews were allowed to leave Russia. I was 12 years
old when we left and I believe it was a very formative time in my life. We left with the visa to go to Israel but, as
was common, we changed the destination to the United States when we landed in
Vienna, Austria, where we spent a month before moving to the small town of
Netuno, in Italy.
In
Netuno we lived for 13 months while we waited to see if the United States would
grant us a Green Card. My little brother Phillip (current Director of
Operations at Mantus Anchors) was 1 month old at the time, and I learned some
serious responsibilities taking care of Phil. At this time everyone in the family worked:
Mom as a translator at the hospital, Dad at the market selling our Russian
possessions and my older brother Mike and me on the street washing windshields
for tips.
K+B: Are
you a boater? If so, power or sail? Can you describe what boating means to you?
Greg: We
own a 38 foot Ericson, a sailboat named Coconut. To me boating is time on the
water, and I cherish nothing more than time on the water. I love everything
about it, including dealing with seasickness if you can believe it!
K+B: What
are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your business?
Greg:
Time management. Given my full time
career in medicine, starting a marine business was a totally crazy idea.
Finding the time to do it and try to do both things well, I still find very
challenging. Also, constant doubt. Am I absolutely crazy? I have a good job that
I spent 12 years training for, and I have zero experience in engineering or
startups. Should I risk everything I have on this crazy venture? Will I look
like a fool to my friends and family? Seriously, an Anchor Manufacturer?
K+B: Can
you describe a low point in your business and how you dealt with it?
Greg: I
think the lowest point came 2 years into the venture; I had spent all my
savings on the business and was working 120-hour weeks. At this time we were
trying to manufacture (cast) our Mantus Hooks here in the USA. We contracted
with a local casting house here in Texas. After paying $60,000 for tooling and
$20,000 for the first run, the casting house declared bankruptcy and the tool
they made came to us deformed and not functional. This was a really hard time for us, and
really questioned my resolve.
K+B: What
was the opportunity you saw with marine anchors, and how is your product
fulfilling that opportunity?
Greg: Even
though there a number of good anchors on the market, I thought there still was
a performance gap. I thought we could make an anchor that would virtually guarantee
a set. In other words, make an anchor
that would set the first time, every time, regardless of the bottom type. I think we did it, and I am really happy with
the final product and the feedback we are getting from our customers.
K+B: In
your opinion, what does the future of boating look like?
Greg: I
think there are a lot of things to be excited about. There is innovation happening almost in every
sector. Hulls are getting lighter and are now incorporating foils; electric
propulsion is getting more practical; and of course the new digital technology
is making things fun, but also making boating much safer. As these products increase the feeling of
security and safety, boat owners are more willing to spend longer stretches of
time on their boat and venture further from home, thus growing the cruising
community.
K+B: What's
next in your product line?
Greg: Chain
swivels are generally known to be the weakest link in the anchoring system due
to their susceptibility to be side loaded. We are developing really cool chain
swivel design that will finally be the strongest link - easy to service and
very affordable. We are excited about it.
K+B: If
you could send a message to other entrepreneurs about starting/running a
business, what would it be?
Greg: Be
ready to endure, but in the end it is worth it!
--
If you’re
in the market for an anchor, I highly recommend a visit to MantusAnchors.com to
check out the product lineup, which now features a plethora of products that
support and assist anchors and anchoring in elegantly functional
solutions. When you order, be sure to
ask for the anchor-shaped bottle opener as well – because, let’s face it,
anchoring always comes with a cold reward at the end of a beautiful day on the
water.
This is amazing, thanks for the share. Also, visit our website if you are looking to purchase logo:
ReplyDeletePurchase Logo