Meet Vance Zahorski

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vance Zahorski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vance below.

Vance, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I don’t think risk has ever really frightened me. My motto has always been “whatever it takes”. I actually got “Carpe Diem” tattooed on my back on my trip to Australia. I realized at a young age that none of us are getting out of this earthly experience alive, so we might as well LIVE, ya know? Before I started my business I was making a good money at my job but it was a job that I had reached my potential at. I was working for someone else doing something I was good at but not something I was passionate about. I realized I could stay safe and have my life mapped out for me for the next 20-30 years, or I could take a big risk and follow a dream. Ultimately that’s what I did, and it paid off! It hasn’t been without its sacrifices but I would have sacrificed more by playing it safe in the end.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Line Cutterz started out as one single product in one single color, a black adjustable ring that cuts fishing line. Today, I have secured 6 patents, one patent pending for the seatbelt cutter / glass breaker, 3 trademarks and our Line Cutterz products are sold in 12 countries. Several manufacturers and now including Line Cutterz with their products, like Striker Brands Apparel. Line Cutterz originated in the fishing industry and has expanded into the crafting industry (sewing, quilting, knitting, cross stitching and beading), the medical industry, the scuba industry and is about to expand into the automotive industry. Line Cutterz is a prime example of chasing the American Dream. The growth of Line Cutterz has provided opportunities for our company to give back in various ways. I personally get the priveledge to speak in front of schools to encourage budding entrepreneurs to chase their dreams. Line Cutterz has donated to blue line organizations, veteran organizations, breast cancer victims and a myriad of youth fishing programs which includes hosting the citywide West Columbia kids Fishing event. Line Cutterz has purchased and renovated five commercial properties which were vacant and dilaptated. Today, the buildings are leased by fellow independant entrepreneurs and business is booming. Line Cutterz is opening its second retail location in Savage, Minnesota and is excited to be active in a second community – joining parades, hosting events and giving back to local organizations.
The most exciting aspect of Line Cutterz is the growth potential. Line Cutterz has the opportunity to be the Yeti Coolers of cutting tools, with hopes of reaching a billion dollars in annual revenue. This is a lofty goal but completely attainable. As Line Cutterz grows, it’s ability to give back to the community and influence young dream chasers will also grow. It’s an exciting time to be in the Line Cutterz family.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My wife and closest friends would say my drive is what has played the biggest role in Line Cutterz growth. For example, when we went through Hurricane Harvey, many businesses that flooded simply closed due to the perceived challenges. I was determined to persevere through the flooding so we moved our inventory into an attic and lived there for 10 days. We even packaged orders and drove them by boat to the nearest accessbile road. They were then picked up by one of our supporters who later transported them to the post office. Along with drive, starting a business takes tenacity and sacrifice. For several years I personally loaded up my truck and trailer and performed three-month trade show routes across the country to promote my products, missing my wife and young daughters, sleeping in hotels or even my truck on the road. On multiple occasions I recall driving 20 hours straight only stopping for gas. It paid off and ultimately paved the way for an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank. If I face an obstacle, or believe something will work, I will not stop and will do whatever it takes to find a solution to make it happen. Using technology to my advantage is a skill I’m proud to have used to my advantage to make Line Cutterz successful. Before I started Line Cutterz, I knew very little about starting a product based business. Patents were foreign to me and I had no idea how to find a patent attorney, how to make production prototypes, where to get my idea manufacturered and had no clue about tooling, crowd funding etc. Using modern technology to find answers has been pivotal in growing my business. I educated myself by scouring the internet for hours reading every possible article I could find about patents and the patent process. I found my patent attorney by reading yelp reviews. I researched ways to raise capital which ultimately let me to Kickstarter. I learned about the engineering process, how to find engineers and how the production process works by relentlessly searching the internet. Like an investigator, I searched, studied and gathered valuable information which gave me a clear path to launch my business. I still use this skill today when I need to elevate my knowledge. Everything you could ever need to know is online and the best part is, it’s free! With AI coming in to focus, it will be even easier to learn all aspects of starting and growing your business.
Lastly, patience mixed in with enduarace and dedication has allowed me to stay the course and keep moving forward despite a myriad of obstacles which include losing everything in a flood, making it through the COVID pandemic, cash flow challenges due to growth demands to name a few. To be an entrepreneur, you must be laser focused and you must be relentless. You must be patient and you must be able to endure extremely difficult situations both professionally and personally. It always looks easy from the outside but the only ones who can truly understand are fellow entreprenurs. But my strengths may not be your strengths so be honest about your strengths, leverage them and hire the right people to fill in the gaps! Putting the right people in the right seats in your business is so important!

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
There is a great quote that goes something like “speak to your children as if they are the wisest, most talented, most amazing people on the planet for what they believe is what they will become”. One of the most impactful moments for me was something my mom said to me when I was young. She said, “I believe in you. I believe you are destined for greatness in whatever you choose to do in life”. It was completely out of the blue and little did she know her words would stick with me for the rest of my life. Her words opened up my mind to think big in everything I do. Her words gave me a strong sense of self confidence which pushed me to chase my dreams. I have used the same words of encouragement now with my daughters and also with children at schools I speak at and mentor. I hope it impacts their lives in the same way my mother’s words impacted my life.

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