ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JULIE ANDERSON
James Voth is busy doing what he enjoys: creating new products.
Voth, co-owner of Ratzlaff Draperies with his wife, Gayle, is the
designer and producer of the Pro-Pouch, a device to hold three
golf
balls and four tees, which can be clipped over the waistband.
?I think about it all of the time,? Voth said. ?It was always in
the
back of my mind.?
Voth began working on the idea when it was brought to him two
years
ago by a friend of his, Jim Monarez, from Newton.
?When I saw it, I knew it had possibilities,? Voth said. ?The idea
was
feasible.?
Because of his business, it is possible for him to produce the
pouch
at a reasonable cost.
Voth also felt the timing was right.
?I knew golfing was so popular now, the time would be good,? he
said.
Voth said he is always looking for additional things to do at
Ratzlaff
Draperies.
?New products always catch my eye,? he said. ?I like to develop
things.?
Voth?s the first step with this project was to redesign the bad.
It is
designed with a flap to slip over the waistband.
Next, he put together a focus group, which critiqued the item.
He also looked to Mid-American Manufacturing Technology Center for
additional help.
When he began working with MAMTC, Voth said changes began to
happen.
One of them was selecting a new name for the product. Previously
called a belt caddy, the name was changed to Pro-Pouch.
To test his product, Voth took it to the golf course and had
people
try it out.
Those who have tried the product said they liked the fact the
balls
were available and they no longer have bulging pockets, according
to
Voth.
He is about ready to start distributing his product at pro shops
and
tournaments.
?I found out from experience the marketing is probably the hardest
part of getting it going,? Voth said.
The packaging for the item was printed last week and he only needs
to
get the boxes.
?I just got the packaging down to where I like it,? he said. ?It
is a
self-displaying product.?
Voth hopes to have them out by the middle of May.
He is getting word out about the product by contacting pro shops
and
tournaments.
?I fully expect to be selling them nationwide before long,? Voth
said.
He already has been doing some advertising in national magazines.
The Pro-Pouch also is available for purchase on the Internet at
www.propouch.com.
?There really is no question in my mind this will make it,? Voth
said.
The Pro-Pouch will sell for $9.95 in stores and on the Internet.
Embroidering is available at an additional cost for purchases of
24 or
more. Voth feels his biggest sales will be as gifts.
?You have to be a