Garrity Industries, Inc.
Practice.
“I’ve often heard a real leader is a man who can build a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him,” says Paul G. Garrity. “However, a true leader builds respect from his actions. He must be both confident as well as modest.
“There are so many characteristics that make a person a good leader: a leader should be authentic, a listener, stand for values, lead by example, be honest, provide direction, and—most important—be daring, take risks, and develop and empower others. This combination of techniques is what makes a true leader.
“After working for several companies from the lowest level to top management, I decided to risk starting my own consumer products company. My first company introduced a new concept in cigarette lighting. The product was a cigarette lighter that eliminated messy refilling by using a drop in cartridge refill. This company grew to the #2 position in the industry within three years.
“I subsequently founded a company to produce and market a disposable cigarette lighter. This was a daring new concept never before seen in the North American market. Success breeds competition, and soon two major companies copied the idea. Today disposable lighters enjoy approximately 80 percent of the market.
“My present company was born with another new concept: a disposable flashlight. A daring idea whose success led to the introduction of a complete line of new and exciting refillable flashlights and lanterns.
“Today Garrity Industries has several plants in the USA and Canada, as well as the Orient and Europe. Despite the fact that our competitors have many more years of experience, Garrity maintains the major market share in our industry. We are known as an innovator and leader in product design and development, which has helped us to grow in a rather traditional industry.
“Perhaps the best way for a person to learn how to become a leader is to implement it; it should be practiced the same way a great athlete achieves his goal.”