Episode 273 - From Phone Cases to Bullet Proof Vests with Josh Richardson
Nov 14, 2023
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From growing up in a home that barely made it by to success with Angel Armor, Josh Richardson shares his journey. The evolution of protective gear for frontline workers and the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation. How faith guided him through a dark path back to his roots as an entrepreneur. Exploring the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship in running a business today.
Angel Armor innovates protective gear for first responders, adapting to customer needs.
Josh Richardson's journey highlights the impact of faith on business success and personal growth.
Deep dives
Innovative Protective Gear for First Responders
Angel Armor, founded by Josh and JC Richardson, focuses on innovating and adapting protective gear like bulletproof vests and vehicle armor to meet the changing needs of frontline workers. The company's background in protective equipment, such as Otterbox, enabled them to apply entrepreneurial mindsets to create products that prioritize the safety and protection of those who serve as first responders.
Family Entrepreneurial Influence and Lessons Learned
Josh Richardson's upbringing in an entrepreneurial family, where his parents started Otterbox, instilled in him the values of hard work and overcoming business challenges. The family's journey from struggling to success taught him the importance of resilience and the impact of personal faith on professional growth. Lessons from his family emphasized the significance of people in business operations and the value of humility, passion, and dedication in building successful ventures.
Integrating Faith in Business and Reflecting God's Guidance
Angel Armor's commitment to innovation and product development stems from a consumer industry background, where each year brings new advancements and products. The company operationalizes innovation by designing products based on customer needs and feedback, ensuring a continuous cycle of product improvement. Josh Richardson emphasizes that faith plays a central role in the company's culture, guiding decision-making, leadership, and interpersonal relationships with employees. Their commitment to being transparent about their faith and aligning business practices with biblical principles reflects a redemptive mission focused on saving lives and protecting those who serve as first responders.
Who protects the people who are meant to protect us?
First responders daily risk their lives for the sake of others and the people who put on those uniforms need others who will help keep them safe as they go about their jobs.
That's why Josh Richardson started Angel Armor with his brother JC. The two discovered something that many of us just don't think about. Like any product in the modern world, Protective gear needs to adapt to what customers want.
The industry needs innovation and fresh ideas so that these frontline workers can do their jobs safely. And that's what angel armor is all about. Using their innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets to create products that protect the protectors.
As you'll hear in this episode, the two brothers grew up in an entrepreneurial home. Their parents started a different kind of protective equipment company: the brand Otterbox, which has become known to smartphone users around the world for their waterproof cases.
Josh joins us today to talk about his rollercoaster journey from growing up in a home that barely made it by to seeing the growth and success of his parents' company. He'll talk about how his own success with OtterBox took him down a dark path away from his faith and how the relentless pursuit of Jesus called him back. And he'll share what all these experiences have taught him about running his business today.