Entrepreneur creates waterproof gear for outdoor enthusiasts with help from EDA

For the past 15 years, Aaron Hulett, a local mortgage banker and bike enthusiast, has traveled around the country participating in various competitions. 

But along the way, he kept running into one particular issue that troubled him: his bicycle was often left exposed to the elements, which caused a host of problems. Enduring all sorts of weather conditions, Hulett knew it was time to take a step toward protecting his equipment.

“My bike was always completely wrecked after traveling,” Hulett says. “And I thought to myself: ‘Someone has to come up with the solution for this.’”

That solution would be starting the company P39 Adventure Gear, which focuses on performance-proven adventure gear for outdoor enthusiasts. 

As part of the new company, Hulett leaned on the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair to design the bicycle cover he longed for, which will be released next spring. The cover is completely waterproof and equipped with tail lights and anti-theft features.

“I tried to design it myself at first,” Hulett says. “I realized after a while, I didn’t have the tools necessary, and it wasn’t going to work to build it to a high level. I had to get a design firm. They helped me put all of the schematics together and the design and layout together on paper, and then from there we shopped manufacturers and put together feasibility studies. The EDA [of St. Clair] really helped me throughout the process, and I wouldn’t be in business without them.”

But the biggest thing they offer is mentoring, and that’s what new business owners need the most, Hulett says.

“A lot of people have ideas and might even have a little startup money, but they don’t know who to call for this or that, and it’s so many little roles that need to be filled,” he says. “They connected me with a great marketing company, an attorney for the patent work, and they walked me through all of the little legal nuances like the LLC. I had heard of the program before on the surface level, but I had no idea how in-depth the program was.” 

With the help of the EDA of St. Clair and the Underground, Region 6 Smart Zone Business Incubator, Hulett had the direction and confidence necessary to take the huge step of creating his own business. 

“That’s what our whole program is all about,” says Kanchan Wankhede, the Director of Entrepreneurial Services of the Underground. “He is a non-technical person. He is a financial analyst, and here you are talking about inventing a product that requires technical knowledge in terms of the design, the material, and so forth. It was very overwhelming for him at the beginning.”

The program helps local entrepreneurs, like Hulett, with grants, gaining an LLC, creating a website, and many other processes that come with starting a business. For Hulett, his goal is to build a lifestyle brand. He has focused on unique products that accompany adventure sports, and he continues to build momentum by the day. 

With all that has already been accomplished, Hulett says he has enjoyed the progress and how far the business has come. This month, he will continue the journey by releasing a new podcast called Into the Grain, which will focus on the five pillars of his company: community, relationships, fitness, responsibility, and faith. 

“We really want to be able to give back to our community,” Hulett says. “That was a big part of this, finding ways to give back. I’ve learned if someone has an idea or a passion they want to turn into a business, it’s really all about taking the first step. They have to be committed to it and have a long-term mindset, and doors will open.” 

He concludes, “Most people are willing to put the work in. Sometimes you need funding or expertise, but all of those other things you can get, but you can’t replace the hard work and the long-term mindset to keep going.”