Paul Dubois is the CEO of Safety Made (asi/84514), a New Hampshire-based supplier of safety incentive products. Established in July of 2017, the company has focused on bringing brand names to the promotional products industry, offering the full line of Dorcy, Life Gear and DieHard flashlights.

Outside the office, Dubois takes great pride in giving back to the community. His charitable efforts have included volunteering through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Habitat for Humanity and Charity Treks. We spoke with Dubois about how other business leaders can make a difference in their communities.

Q: How did you break into the promotional products industry?

Paul Dubois: I actually started in promo as a 15 year old doing summer work. I took a production job with a local company and the owner took me under his wing. I worked doing assembly, but was fortunate enough to be taken to several tradeshows and from there, I was hooked. I worked shows in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Orlando and more before finishing high school. After finishing college, I moved back to my hometown and was offered a job in sales at the company I had worked for in high school.

Q: What kind of markets does Safety Made sell to?

PD: It’s amazing the diversity of markets that buy safety and wellness. Hospitals and insurance companies are obvious buyers, but businesses across the spectrum are buying this category of products to encourage safety, health and wellness within their organization.

Q: How has business been over the past year? 

PD: Although I have spent well over a decade in the promotional market, Safety Made is a new supplier and subject to the same rigors of all startups. The economic climate is strong and I believe that has contributed to good results, but we are working extremely hard to be found in a sea of promotional product offerings.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge? 

PD: My biggest challenges have been establishing our brand within the industry and proving to our customers that we have a great product and service and can provide a valuable product to their end user clients. Marketing is challenging in an age where customers are being hit hundreds of times per day with emails, banners, mail and pop-ups. Proving that you are dedicated to this industry and can fulfil your promises to your customers is challenging and takes time.

Q: What’s your philosophy on giving back? 

PD: I was given an opportunity at a young age to prove the value I can bring to an organization and that chance has changed and shaped my life. I have been fortunate and I see talented people every day that could do so much more if given the chance. I believe in giving chances and I believe every person deserves a shot to prove what they can do. An opportunity is a hundred times more valuable than a handout and I hope that over my lifetime I am able to give opportunities as often as possible so that socioeconomics don’t always have to dictate outcomes of a deserving life.

Q: How have you personally been able to give back? 

PD: At 22 years old, I volunteered as a big brother through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of southern New Hampshire. I was matched with a 13 year old who had been through more in those 13 years than most people endure in a lifetime. Although challenging and demanding, I met with my mentee weekly for the next five years and helped guide him at a critical time in his life. I helped him stay in school, manage his grades and get a job after high school. In my new venture, I have been able to hire him and offer him an opportunity that I hope will shape his future. I have learned through this experience how important the gift of time is and how great the need for mentors is. Offering stability and guidance gave my mentee a chance to see what life could be if he worked hard and aimed higher. During my mentee’s senior year of high school, I was awarded Big Brother of the Year for New Hampshire. I know me and my little will be close for life. This one-on-one mentorship was critical for his development and I am so thankful that I stayed dedicated to the commitment that I signed up for because I feel that I have helped to shape at least one life in a positive way.

Q: What qualities should entrepreneurs look for in a mentor? 

PD: Selflessness and passion. Learning to be passionate about the little things is so essential and I believe that becomes engrained by example. Our business is all about details and being passionate about the future that we can all help to create is exciting. Selflessness is essential in a mentor as life gets in the way but mentors need to be there week after week.

Q: What are your goals for 2019 and beyond? 

PD: I hope to build a brand that will be a flagship in the safety category and I hope to provide opportunity for my staff.