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Former Bellmen make leap to entrepreneurship |
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Vegas Doorstops started in the Las Vegas market in 2005 and has taken the doorstop all over the US and Canada. It is being used at thousands of hotels, including 4 major hospitality distributors in the US and Canada, which could place the product into over 26,000 hotels and motels worldwide.
Brian Agster and William Hengler, two Las Vegas bellmen, spent two years designing and developing a new doorstop product that was easy to use, decreased property damage and was safer than the old-fashioned models.
The company's success was in understanding the needs of hotel operators and its employees.
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| When we came up with the idea, we started direct selling to the hotel purchasing departments and branched into the market with outside sales representatives and a couple distributors across the Country. |
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"If you don't have a product that is different and solves their problems, you won't get into these big properties," the CEO said. "It was not only an amazing amount of persistence, but most importantly a great product that got us through the door of these big properties. You are not going to get any time with these buyers and purchasing agents without a fantastic product."
Mark Stolarczyk, vice president of corporate purchasing for MGM Mirage, was the first buyer to give the two bellmen a sale. He said their energy and creativity impressed him. He said the product made sense for use at MGM Mirage properties.
"It's not often that I meet a new supplier for the first time and become as impressed as I was," Stolarczyk said. "They had a professional presentation and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and pride about their product." |
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In 2005, the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City honored the Vegas Doorstops and The DoorPro™ Doorstop' with the "Best New Product Award."
Today it’s the New Standard in Hospitality Industry! Bellmen, Maids and Room Service personnel in thousands of hotel rooms around the Country utilize the Door Pro Doorstop. Hotels including five star resorts operated by MGM Mirage, Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz Carlton and Marriott. Manufactured in the United States by Vegas Doorstop Industries and founded by two bellman. |
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