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The story of how Genesis Hobby came about traces back to 1992. As John soon learned, the difference between wishing to start a business and actually starting one is a fair stretch – for pretty much the same reasons ascribed in Scottish Proverbs, "If a pig had wings, it could fly." Anyway, in trying to figure what he wanted to do, John soon hit on the idea of converting one of his many hobbies into a part time business (figuring then it wouldn't actually be work). So he turned to the hobby he loved the most, model airplanes and to this added something he knew nothing about, video production. Next he scraped together his life's savings, maxed out his credit cards, sold everything that wasn't nailed down and bought a camera, editing equipment, etc. And thus, he created Panache Productions and set about making model airplane videos.

Thinking he'd entered the world of professional video production and riches would soon follow, it didn't take John long to realize that not only was his salary still not keeping him in toys, neither was Panache! You see, there's a world of difference between making videos for sale and actually selling commercially viable videos! Thus, he buckled down to learning the serious business of producing videos folks would actually pay good money for. Of course, this wouldn't be much of a story if business hadn't flourished as Panache videos became popular, eh?

Before long John discovered that while he had the money to buy the giant scale servos, he hadn't actually gotten around to buying them. That's because his part time job had become full time without him realizing it . . . and now he didn't have time to fly! Something had to give and hence, the low-pay and rather thankless job of teaching math fell by the wayside and Panache became his full time occupation. But change was afoot as one day the phone rings – "Beech, let us be your exclusive distributor and we'll make you a millionaire!' said the fellow on the other end of the line (or words to that effect). Panache had come to the attention of Great Planes, the world's largest hobby product distributor. Since money, or the lack thereof had been the impetus for all this, and thinking how being a millionaire would be nice, John agreed.

Thus, Panache joined a distinguished group of Great Planes exclusively distributed products like OS Max, Top Flite, DynaFlite, and Super Tiger! The fly in the ointment was that successful companies are made up of smart people (and videos aren't really that hard to make). And seeing all the numbers led the talented folks at Great Planes to try their hand at making videos. Following the launch of their self-made MonoKote video, it didn't take a genius to see the handwriting on the wall and John figured it was time to move on.

Anyway, as it turned out, while they had learned a little about the video business from John, he in turn had been learning a little bit about hobby distribution. Free to create a new product line, John developed the idea for a video magazine and thus was born Modelsport (www.modelsport.com). However, focusing on products from all R/C manufacturers was the key to success and "Why take years to learn what the pros know?" became a trademark!

Introduced at the 43rd Toledo R/C Expo in the spring of 1997, the first issue was such a hit that before noon Saturday, John had sold all he had! By year's end, Modelsport was available in 33 hobby shops. That grew to 95 the following year and we were on our way as a self-distributed product line! Remarkably popular, the 2-hour long issues feature assorted "how-to" segments covering a diverse range of subjects including modeling techniques, R/C engines, radio programming, tips and tricks, flying and trade events, tools, construction, and new products.

Through serendipity, Modelsport viewers were often the influential members at their clubs and thus, slowly but surely (principally through word of mouth) the dealer base continued to grow. Thus, while there's no accounting for thousands of club members who watch them at club meetings, or modelers shopping at their local hobby shop (where they're played day-in and day-out), Modelsport grew to become the best selling line of videos in the entire of world. Modelers love them and you can walk into any of more than 600 brick-and-mortar hobby stores and purchase one! Not too bad for a self-distributed one-trick-pony product line, eh?

Then, while flying to Las Vegas to film the TOC in late 2002, John had a health scare. 2003 and 2004 were recovery years and his restricted activities meant only a few issues were released. Aware the misfortune dealt his growing business could easily have meant its demise, John resolved to diversify beyond Modelsport. In looking back, and not counting the 11 programs from the Panache lineup, John is responsible for 27 more programs under the ægis of Modelsport, each a minimum of 2-hours in length – an amazing 55-hours of programming available on VHS and/or DVD!

In 2004 when an opportunity came to partner with Hyundai, a Korean business, he didn't hesitate. The product was an R/C model helicopter – which John saw as squarely in his wheelhouse because helicopters had long been his special interest in the sport. However, because of the overwhelming dominance of existing products (like Thunder Tiger's Raptor 50 helicopter), everyone told him (over and over again) that he couldn't succeed.

Then, ignoring the best advice of his friends, as well as the bean counter and the bankers and utterly convinced – John spent 1-1/2 years raising capital. Once again this meant liquidating assets (selling anything not nailed down), mortgaging their home, cashing out his 401k-retirement account, and even raiding his daughter's college savings account! All the while feverishly working to ensure the success of the model in preparation for a gutsy leap to a new business. Finally, with all the chips on the table, he took the plunge and released the Tiger 50. And thumbing his nose at prevailing opinion, John christened the new business Audacity Models (www.audacitymodels.com).

But going head-to-head against the Raptor 50 takes more than an intrepid owner. It means crossing swords with a 600+ person Chinese business – Thunder Tiger/Ace Hobby Distributors. Success will take more than just hard work and daring. It will take superb customer service, a large dose of luck, plus an intangible. The wild card in all this is our customer's good will – their willingness to tell their friends, and the rest of the helicopter community about our products.

This is beginning to happen and our tiny American company, a genuine David vs. Goliath in the truest sense is making inroads. Following the release of the Tiger 50 product in March 2005, rave reviews – and most gratifying to John, an expanding base of satisfied customers, have met the Tiger 50 . . . and they all have one thing in common, the grin included free in the box! The Pantera 50, an upscale model followed and the story continues.

Meanwhile, despite doing it with a single product line, John reasoned the 600-strong Modelsport dealer base meant we had de facto attained hobby distributor status. He also figured the time was right for an expanded business entity's focus and thus, in 2004, we de jure re-christened ourselves as Genesis Hobby. As an R/C hobby product distributor, we represent a cooperative way of working with hobby dealers with one goal, to serve our customers, as we would like to be served ourselves!

Genesis Hobby exclusive brands include Audacity Models (www.audacitymodels.com), Modelsport (www.modelsport.com), ProModeler (www.promodeler.com), and YW Engines (www.ywengines.com). Finally, if you are curious, and would like to know more about John himself, click here.