Latino Entrepreneur and Inventor: Armando Rositas

  Building an Inventor-Entrepreneurial Business Armando told LBT that is father taught him to save the spare parts, screws, wood etc. that most people would throw away. Because of this he recalls how he was able to make skateboards from abandoned roller skates and scraps and sell them at a profit. He was only ten years old when his inventor entrepreneurial spirit was in evidence.         One of Armando’s first inventions was the “Mondo Gator.” It was a steel tray to attach to your hitch for coolers, chairs that included add-on sides for more height (for more items golf bags etc.) The patent pending was on the hitch itself; you could attach a bike rack to the back of the basket. After selling that for a few years later he developed the Swimming Buddy. As the CEO/President Armando tells LBT that manages the entire company from meeting with potential buyers, logistics, management, talking with potential investors and searching for possible grant money. Though he leaves most of the PR and marketing to his friend Jamie Hope. Jamie Hope is author of the young adult science fiction novel, ‘Illusion’ and contributor to online magazines. LBT: Tell us about your current business AR: I invented the “The Swimming Buddy” with my grandchildren in mind after I nearly struck a child with my boat. He and the two jet-ski operators were all thrown into the water during a collision, leaving one permanently disabled. The other one was almost run over simply because he was not visible in the choppy water. It is a business right now focused primarily on swimming safety. It’s a cylindrical tube of recycled polyethylene wrapped in a nylon fabric with a one inch stripe of (ANSI) reflective tape at the top and an S clip to attach to your life vest. Its over-all length is 19”x 2.5”diameter and only weighs 1.6 ounces. It works on a stick bobber concept and gives swimmer’s more visibility when engaging in water sports activities so boaters and water rescuers can more easily spot them. Though this is my primary product I do plan to expand my Swimming Buddy line to include other water products. Swimming Buddy is a new concept in the aquatics industry and fortunately there is very little competition. I have had a very good reception to my product from the Michigan House of Representatives, Rep. Sam Singh in particular. Lifeguards without Borders also gave the product wonderful feedback after actually reviewing the product in the water. They believe there is a need for Swimming Buddy. Finding Balance While Being an Entrepreneur Armando told us that he choose Lansing as his home based because this is where his family was and he was proud to be from Michigan. “As busy as I am, it would be difficult to stay in touch with my daughter and grandkids if I lived too far away.” Building a very good rapport with members of the Michigan Latino Chamber of Commerce and local business associations has been hard work and a key aspect of Armando’s efforts as a small business owner. When talking about the local business community he told LBT “We all support one another.” Being an inventor takes a lot of time and energy. LBT asked Armando about his ability to balance his professional and personal lives? He told LBT “I always make sure I spend time with my family and friends. They always come first”. However, as with many entrepreneurs he is always working. Armando talks about spending all his time “networking, making phone calls, working with Jamie on PR, and looking over finances”. We hear this story frequently from entrepreneurs. As Armando out it so well “It is never ending but I enjoy it and I hope to become even busier when my product is sold internationally”. Business Name: Swimming Buddy, LLC and currently based in Lansing, Michigan. Swimming Buddy is currently being carried in several small stores and in Michigan’s Parks and Recreations areas. Armando plans to expand Swimming Buddy into larger chain stores nationwide and eventually internationally. If you are interested in purchasing Swimming Buddy for personal use, or stocking them in your store, visit swimmingbuddy.com or email Armando Rositas ajrositas@yahoo.com. Related articles:  Hispanic Roots and Designs on Chocolate Latina Entrepreneur LuLu Gets Her Just Desserts Cesar Millan Leader of the Pack