Philip Mattison, founder of CORE Products International, Inc., describes himself as a fraternity learner, a.k.a. a social connector and an unconventional relationship builder. He absorbs and takes in conversations, resources, participates in CEO peer groups, pulls together ad hoc teams of consultants to learn from, listens to his employees and gathers information to help them manage their jobs and careers within his company. He sees broadly and seizes opportunities as they arise, usually from knowing people and their circumstances, and from shifts he observes in the industry. Reluctantly, Phil added structure in management and now loves it, and so does his staff! You will pick that up as you listen.

Phil applied what he learned when founding CORE Products International, Inc. in 1988, from reading See You At The Top by Zig Ziglar (author of 30 sales books). Phil quotes from Zig Ziglar. “Zig believes change occurs through inspirational discontentment with the way things are.” Hear how Phil constructively worked his way out of a partnership that wasn’t working. 

Benefits of Business Ownership in Small Town Midwest America

We taped on location at one of three CORE Products International, Inc. locations, Chetek, Wisconsin. “Lake Chetek features one of the best water ski shows in the country,” Phil says. The town of 2,500 swells to 15,000 during the peak of summer season.

He shares the benefits of being a big fish in a small pond and how he decided to move from Vadnais Heights, MN and 15,000 square feet of space to his first location in Wisconsin, Osceola. He then expanded to Chetek, WI where most of the manufacturing happens in the 43,000 square foot building, including the ‘best in class’ cervical comfort pillow products like the 1st fiber filled pillow (Tri-CORE Pillow), and the Genie Massage.

You will hear the tax benefits for unemployment, workers compensation, and state tax in Wisconsin; how he builds a positive reputation in small towns; and how small towns invest in small business. You will learn how Phil set-up independent distributors and dealers; built up the supply chain and marketing distribution with 16 patented products, offering over 20 therapeutic and comfort products that are easy to use on various parts of your body; how he is expanding his brand; and how he started COREContract.com so others can manufacture their products through them.

CORE is recognized worldwide and employs 140 people in Osceola, WI, Chetek, WI, and in Toronto, Canada. Phil could not have expanded the way he has without great employees. This year he set-up an ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plans) for employees to share in ownership of the company. In an upcoming video we taped you will get a chance to hear from employees and his management team.

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Inspirational Discontentment Led Philip Mattison to found CORE Products International, Inc.
Episode 135 Philip Mattison,  CORE Products International, Inc. and CORE Contract