Decorated former US Army Veteran turned entrepreneur Colin Wayne has seen it all over the past decade. From surviving a rocket attack on his base in Afghanistan to then coming back home to start a company from the ground up, Wayne has continued to give back to this country and the people within it no matter what he has been doing.
These days – with his Army action long behind him – Wayne’s home decor steel company Redline Steel has scaled to over $100 million and landed him countless times on various lists as the top home decor steel companies in the United States.
Through all his success Wayne has kept his goal of putting people over profit first though, even though at times it may seem difficult given the state of the economy coming out of the pandemic this past year.
The cost of steel rising and new agreements put into place by the Biden administration in 2022 made Wayne work extra hard to make sure his own employees could keep their jobs, while he still made sure to give back to charity. In 2022 Wayne partnered up with countless non-profit organizations and celebrities like Dolph Lundgren and Jack Black to give back to people in need, whether it be cancer, homelessness or those being bullied; Prior years has seen Wayne give back over 6 million dollars in products to Veterans with the help of stars such as Megan Fox, Lance Bass and Amber Heard.
As we look ahead to 2023, we spoke to Wayne about Redline Steel, his new ambitions and what’s next.
1. What big moments this year are you most proud about and why?
We are in the closing stages of launching another company called Business Decor. Business Decor is an ambitious project that I’ve been working on in addition to continuing to lead and grow Redline Steel. The goal is to build a centralized platform that provides businesses of all sectors with a “one-stop-shop” for everything businesses need all in one place. Our mission is to help businesses transform by providing company and corporate signage designed with emerging technology, allowing businesses of all sizes to purchase affordable signage for their office location(s). I envision Business Decor making it easier for businesses to get what they need, no matter the size of the company. In addition to business signage, Business Decor intends to offer Corporate Gifting, another major component of the company. We are now almost ready for launch, and I’m proud of the hard work that went into making Business Decor come alive this year.
2. What trends in your industry have you seen continue to happen?
Steel manufacturing continues to be an ever-evolving industry, with new trends emerging every year. One trend that is becoming considerably prevalent in the industry is that steel manufacturing processes have continued to move towards automation over the years, allowing for higher production levels and reducing overall costs for steel manufacturers. In turn, automation has provided a pathway for steel manufacturers to reduce their environmental footprint by expanding renewable energy and using various technologies to control environmental pollution. These advancements have helped steel manufacturers maintain sustainable operations while still providing high-quality steel products with a smaller emphasis on labor.
3. What’s next for you heading into 2023?
Expanding operations under the Redline Steel umbrella and officially launching Business Decor. It’s shaping up to be a real game-changer, and I’m looking forward to its scheduled launch in early 2023. Through the launch of this new company, we will be able to provide businesses with beautiful, high-quality metal decor pieces that reflect their brand and the values they uphold. As we progress through the year, I intend on shifting some of our current resources and capabilities towards this new project to ensure that it receives the attention and dedication it needs to be successful, build continuity, consumer trust, and ultimately compete at a high-level within the digital space.
4. What is your advice to other entrepreneurs right now?
It is essential to keep an eye on the markets and understand the short-term trends of your sector so you can adjust your plans accordingly. To be successful, businesses cannot rely solely on luck. Create opportunities for yourself by working smarter, not harder. Furthermore, use networking to your advantage. Networking remains an invaluable tool that can open doors to potential customers, sources of funding, and other connections that are key to a successful business venture. Lastly, don’t let fear take over while making decisions. Arm yourself with knowledge and go after your dream!
