摘要: |
EVER the "ideas" man, Jeff Hartman-a tank truck driver by trade-long has tinkered with his equipment, looking for ways to maximize utility. He first attempted to reinvent himself as an inventor 25 years ago. In today's world, people with Hartman's vision and ambition often are compelled to attempt entrepreneurship by watching ABC TV show Shark Tank, in which business moguls vie for the right to promote, and capitalize on, products with potential. Hartman was inspired by the TV marketers of yesteryear, like Ron Popiel-"Weird Al" Yankovic's preferred pitchman-Richard Simmons, and, Hartman's favorite, Billy Mays. But the Mobile, Ala., native wasn't truly inspired until tragedy hit close to home in 2004. At the time, he was toying with the idea of cargo tank baffles that could be removed for cleaning. Then someone he knew was seriously injured after disconnecting a hose they didn't realize still was under pressure. "That's when everything changed, and I went in a different direction," Hartman recalled. |