Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Shields.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Richard. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My father had several businesses when I was a young boy. One of which was a wholesale business and he decided to sell fireworks to his customers for the July 4th holiday in 1955. My first memory was of mowing the lawn around the business property with my older brother. Later, he enlisted by brother and I to find some of our friends to unload truckload shipments which would come to our warehouse in June. My brother and I participated in this all the way through high school. While in college I really didn’t participate in the business at any level.
After college, I had moved about 1 hour away and worked for a major Fortune 500 company. Actually I enjoyed my experience at that company. Several years later I went home for a visit one weekend and my father asked me if I would like to become part of his business. I thought about it and later told him I would do it only if I could become a partner with my older brother. I required him to sell both of us a 20% interest in the company. At that time the company did other products beside fireworks.
After my tenure with the company began I operated as the General Manager, my father was President and my older brother was the Warehouse Manager. We sold mainly to independent retail and wholesale accounts. Later we added chain store customers to the mix. Later my father retired and I bought out his 60% ownership. Shortly after that I acquired my brother’s 20% interest. By then the company operated exclusively in the fireworks business.
We had already began our own import program and began to transition to being a fireworks importer, wholesaler and chain retail provider. Later we found the chain retailer portion of the business had its own set of challenges. We reinvented our business model again and became just and importer and wholesaler. We had a factory/retail store location in the town where we were located. This model proved to be our most successful operation to date.
Later the wholesaler market exploded with lots of competition selling fireworks products at wholesale. We also noted that that time some of our larger competitors where opening their own retail locations. Some were more successful than others. We expanded into that area as well. In the beginning we were only doing seasonal temporary locations that would close after July 4th. Later we added larger permanent year round stores. As additional states changed their laws to allow consumers to buy fireworks we looked at those areas to expand our wholesale or retail locations. Fast forward to 2016 we purchased a very large facility in the Atlanta, Georgia area. One building was to be used for our largest retail store ever and the other building on the same property was to be used for our expansion in the wholesale market.
Our 18,000 Great Grizzly Fireworks retail store in the largest store in Georgia and most likely the largest in the several states adjacent to Georgia. We have added talented and enthusiast staff to operate this location and expect our service, selection and price to establish us as one of the major retail sources in that part of the country.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every business has its growth cycles and its corrections. To be successful you have to be willing to change and adapt to the challenges of that specific business. We have reinvented ourselves successfully several times.
In this business a drought (or lack of rain), affects us much like farmers. If our customers are told they can’t use fireworks, they have no reason to buy them. It is truly beyond our control until that area receives some rain. When that happens the burn bans will be lifted and the customer will go back to buying and using fireworks for the July 4th holiday and other celebrations.
As a business enterprise we have to figure out how to adjust quickly to these circumstances. We have experienced two major nationwide droughts that covered more than a small area. One was in 1988 and another in 2012. We weathered and survived both. At these moments it is mostly resolve and patience that get you to the next selling season. We have learned to diversify our locations and use our business experience to outlast these temporary setbacks.
Please tell us about Great Grizzly Fireworks.
We try to stay with what got us to this point. My management and staff are intelligent, personable and love fireworks. We are always evolving and changing the product mix with the focus on what would the customer want. Without customers, we have no business.
My staff understands this concept and excels to get better each season. We want the buying experience, whether wholesale or retail, to be an enjoyable one. We are selling entertainment and excitement.
Great Grizzly is known for our great quality, wide selection and fair price. With our decades of experience and the passion of our staff, our customers always have a buying experience that is great. We want the customer to be excited about coming back to buy fireworks. We want our customer to think of Great Grizzly when they think of fireworks.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up, I remember the excitement of July 4th. Waiting all year long to see the grand fireworks show in our town. It was something my whole family looked forward to seeing. I remember getting to light sparklers when I was a child, and even today that is something I enjoy.
Today, the electronically fired fireworks show synched to music is something to behold. The products are better and the methods to timing them to the music are sensational. What is so great about firework shows today, is creating an overall experience. Not just have strong fireworks to shoot off, but pair it with music and create an atmosphere that viewers will remember forever.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5300 Frontage Rd. Forest Park, GA 30297
I-75 Exit 235 or 237, Near Farmer’s Market - Website: fireworks365.com
- Phone: 404-343-3647
- Email: info@greatgrizzly.com
- Instagram: greatgrizzlyfireworks
- Facebook: @GreatGrizzlyGeorgia
- Twitter: fireworks365
Image Credit:
Richard Shields & Radius Media
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