ABOUT THE COMPANY
Matt Ip: Hey, what's your name and what do you do?
Bradley Kubela: I'm Bradley Kubela, founder, CEO, and inventor of the formulas for Kubela Advanced Materials Inc. I started this company back in 2004 in Oceanside. Initially, I was just a distributor, but I saw potential in the product and had some promising meetings with influential people. However, the original distributors faced some issues, so I took matters into my own hands and improved upon their products.
Before starting the company, I worked as a first police lieutenant and had experience as a distributor of paint. I quickly learned the ropes and assembled a team of chemists and paint manufacturers. One of our notable achievements was painting the Hollywood Sign, which garnered international attention through a press release.
In 2009, the construction industry took a hit, and I had to temporarily close down. However, I continued developing and eventually bounced back. I secured resources, rebuilt the company, and sought financing. We're currently in the final stages, and I brought in Plan Writers and a CFO to assist us.
This time around, I have a deep understanding of the business. Paint has been around for ages, but what sets us apart is our direct-to-consumer approach. We sell our high-end industrial, fire, water, and bulletproof paints directly from the factory. We have agreements with a national TV firm and iHeart Radio, and we're even offering a free trip to Maui every month. We plan to include golden tickets in our packages, with winners announced on air during commercials.
MI: What inspired you to enter this industry?
Bradley Kubela: When I was looking to retire early from my position as a police lieutenant, I felt a bit bored and wanted to explore new ventures. I had a couple of companies in the security and mobile services, but I wanted to do something more. So, I obtained a marketing license and started working with clients. One of them reached out to me from Vancouver, asking if I could help them enter the US market.
I traveled to Vancouver, saw their product, and was amazed by its uniqueness. I didn't want to just market it; I wanted to distribute it as well. However, things didn't go as planned, and I had to take a step back. Eventually, I connected with talented chemists who developed our proprietary formulas, leading to the birth of our exceptional product.
We even have an organic compound that replaces copper paint, as copper is still being used due to the lack of alternatives. At Kubela Advanced Materials, we go beyond paint. While paint is a significant part of what we do, we consider ourselves a research and development company as well.
MI: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Bradley Kubela: I would advise first-time entrepreneurs to conduct extensive research on their intended venture. Determine if there's a market for your product or service, consider liability factors, and ensure you have actual customers lined up. It's essential to plan for costs and budget twice as much as you initially estimate. Also, factor in extra time and financial resources to navigate through the various steps. Be prepared for unforeseen challenges and plan accordingly.
