By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
Name: Jim Sargen Job: Chief executive officer Business: TriActive America
What he said then: When The Tribune spoke with Jim Sargen a year ago, the chief executive officer of TriActive America was busy expanding
his outdoor fitness equipment company.
The San Luis Obispo firm distributed equipment throughout most of the U.S. and into Central America, and it had also doubled its warehouse space because its product line went from 52 to 58 pieces.
Gross sales continued to hover under $1 million annually, but Sargen was hopeful the company would soon surpass that mark.
He believed his outdoor exercise equipment would help curb America¡¯s obesity epidemic.
¡°We¡¯ve been told by our national sales reps that we¡¯re probably the hottest thing in the sports and recreation areas right now,¡± he said. ¡°I guess you could say I¡¯m the father of a whole new industry.¡±
What he says now: Tri- Active America is thriving yet constantly evolving, Sargen said. It now has a distribution base that covers most of North America, the Caribbean and Mexico, he said.
Sales are up 250 percent over last year as a result of that growth. TriActive now has a staff of 11, twice as many employees it had a year-and- a-half ago. Gross sales have exceeded $1 million annually, though Sargen would not disclose exact figures.
But the company has downsized in some ways. It has reduced the product line to about 40 pieces after redesigning some fitness equipment in an effort to be ¡°green.¡±
The redesigned products are smaller and easier-to-transport, he said.
Recently, TriActive was honored by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness as part of the 2007 Fit Business Awards for its commitment to the health and wellness of its employees.
TriActive continues to collaborate with Cal Poly and Cuesta College because Sargen feels strongly about supporting the schools¡¯ efforts to promote healthy living.
But while his business has seen success in many parts of the country, he says that local communities have yet to embrace it. ¡°I hate to say it, but this area has been the least responsive,¡± he said.
Even so, Sargen is excited to be operating a business that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. ¡°People are gradually waking up to it,¡± he said. ¡°Our products spark change and are about community empowerment.¡±