Interview with Reverend Ray McNames. Business Partner with Gabe Vaughn. (Brother of Kenny Vaughan, inventor of the product.)

Company name: Shields of Strength

Website: http://www.shieldsofstrength.com/

Telephone: 800-326-7882

Location: Beaumont, TX

rshieldsofstrenght@sbcglobal.net

I enjoyed sharing Reverend Ray McNames’ warm personality and his “sunshine” from 75 degree Texas as I sat in 20 degree snow laden Michigan!

What did he like about the show?

Exhibiting at the ANME Expo resulted in selling more and taking more orders than at any other show they have ever attended. Everyone who stopped at their booth was a potential buyer, unlike their attendance at larger shows where vendors’ products were less industry specific. Since Shields of Strength interacts with mostly the military, ANME Expo was the best venue to sell their product. ANME show put them into contact with so many people.

Gabe and Rev Ray are still writing orders from folks they met at the show!

Most humorous story: Explaining to his congregation he was going to Las Vegas as a “strictly business” trip!

What types of products do you sell?

Shields of Strength offers over 100 different dog tag designs with inspirational words for War Vets, Military, (different branches) Occupational such as Police and Firefighters and Sports.

How did your company get started?

Shields of Strength began with an idea like many entrepreneurial enterprises.  Kenny Vaughan was the founder. The idea occurred to his wife who was trying to inspire him to be a successful water skier. It seemed like every time Kenny approached a new competition, doubt and fear would creep in and he would lose his concentration and lose the contest. So his wife wrote two scriptures on his ski tow rope:

II Tim 1:7

“For God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power, love and of a sound mind.”

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. “ [Editor’s note: verses may vary according to different editions of the Bible.] After nine times of trying and failing, Kenny read those words and became the national water ski champion.

To remind him of the power of faith and defeating fear, Kenny had a dog tag made up with those inspiring words. When “Lo and Behold” (Pun intended!) someone would notice the dog tag he was wearing, Kenny would give it to them. After giving away many tags, he mass produced them and started selling them at a kiosk at a local mall. And as they say, “The rest is history.” Shields of Strength has donated about 3 million dollars of dog tags to our troops in Afghanistan and the Middle East.  Shields of Strength works with chaplains and other military leaders to help distribute these words of hope to US military and soldiers.

Who were some of your favorite people at the show?

Rich Mueller from Bridgford Foods and Brian Mils from Southwest Salvage. David Castlegrant & Associates, who orchestrated the entire event. Every one of them were so obliging and did everything in their power to help Shields of Strength be successful at the show.

Any Suggestions for Improvement

Having the site of the Expo at the Tuscany is a good news/bad news scenario. It is less noisy and busy but also a bit far from The Strip.

Advice to entrepreneurs.

Shields of Strength is a faith based company whose founders have a passion for patriotism and serving those who serve and is part of Reverend Ray’s ministry. He believes his company was “led to do what they are do.” Whatever company you start “getting the word” out.” (Or in his case, “The Word”) is crucial to the business’ ultimate success. Also it is important to be focused. One of the many positive things about the ANME show is that many of the vendors and buyers are from small companies and they are the bread and butter for Shields of Strength. Pastor Ray recently landed a big account (CVS), but if that fall through he can rely on the “Mom and Pop” stores to come through for them.

Parting thoughts:

When Reverend Ray found out there were only 8 booths left for next year’s ANME show, he said it was an easy sell to convince him to sign up right away. You may want to heed the pastor’s advice!