The past year has been a critical one for no shortage of business owners, including in the branded product, product development and manufacturing space. About 60% of businesses that closed during the pandemic will never reopen, according to 2020 data from Yelp, and many remaining businesses still struggle to stay afloat. 

 

In times like these, it’s all the more important to pay attention to what past crises have taught us — which is why Myles is looking to his father, Matt Miller, for insight. As President of the Newmar Corporation, an automotive manufacturing company specializing in motorhomes and trailers, Matt helped steer his company out of the carnage of the 2008 financial recession. And there are a few lessons from that time, in particular, that he believes today’s business leaders would do well to heed.

 

On this episode of Inside Development, Manufacturing & Sales, Zack and Myles hear from Matt about how to navigate your business going from a success to a survival story — and how to bring it back to success again.

 

What You'll Learn:

• What it was like for Matt to grow up in the RV industry and learn from the example of an entrepreneurial father
• Why “things will either get better or worse, but they won’t stay the same” is the right mantra for these times
• Why Matt will never again do business with a national bank (and thinks you shouldn’t either)
• And much more!

 

Favorite Quote:

 

“Product is number one. It doesn't matter what else is going on. If you don't have the right product, you are going to struggle."

— Matt Miller

 

How to Get Involved: 

 

Connect with Zach and Myles:

 

Theduckdens.com

 

Zach’s LinkedIn

 

Myles’ LinkedIn

 

Connect with Matt: 

 

Matt’s LinkedIn