The Showboard Story

     "During my travels presenting Showboard, Inc. and it’s offerings, I’m always asked the same question, ‘How did it all start?’"   Ann Cutt, Chairman of the Board.

Showboard’s Beginning
     Who would have ever thought that on that evening in January of 1985 while Ann Cutt was diligently cutting, painting, and helping her 11 year old daughter Kate with her science project that a star would be born...and on the kitchen floor no less.  Yet as most success stories go, Showboard, Inc. was created out of necessity to fulfill a need; a backboard that wasn’t labor intensive, expensive and was attractive.
      "With the science fair due date looming over me, I happened to mention to a friend that I’d pay almost anything just to be able to go out and purchase a backboard.  It was just a few years ago that I had the bad experience of creating a board for my son Chris that had been a disaster.  Not only had it been expensive, but it came no where near the term...attractive.  When my friend and I bantered with each other on the possible availability of such a board, the light bulbs went on.
     Like little children with a new game, we were on a mission and our research proved that we were really on to something..."
     "Don Wood, part owner, and I began experimenting with several prototypes.  Our goal was not only to create a superlative product, but one that would fulfill all the criteria established by the International Science Fair Committee - remembering that it had to remain as inexpensive as possible for an average family budget.
     By September 1985, we were on our way!  Showboard debuted in the fall at the Florida Science Teachers Associations meeting held in Jacksonville."

Here’s the miracle stuff...
   "All we had to show the several thousand teachers attending was a hand-made board that I had painted...(where else?)...but on my kitchen floor.
     The response was incredible and we began selling boards before they had been put into production."

The rest is history...
   "Our growth over the years is basically attributed to teachers.  They have accepted a product that has made their lives easier, allowed more of their students to participate and eliminated certain phases of judging that had been partial to students from higher income families; making a more balanced competition.  The judges could now focus on content; which is the fundamental reason for even doing a science fair.
     We always enjoy interacting with teachers and hearing their input and out of this was born a whole new product line of complimentary items:  Science Fair Titles, Header Cards, Color Showboards, Books and Awards.  Each year this valuable input has allowed us to grow and fill a niche in the educational industry.  It’s been an absolute whirlwind of ideas..."
    Mark Oleksak came on board in 1989 and has been instrumental in our acquiring three (3) U.S. Patents.  Adding his marketing skills to the team has opened up markets in all 50 states as well as overseas.  Showboard, Inc. is also at the forefront of technology with our product line being established on the internet.
     One of the most fun and fascinating areas that we have been able to develop is the area of publishing actual teachers materials.  We are now carrying books written by (who better?) teachers in the area of science fairs.  We are publishing and have added the dimensions of Spanish translated versions.  Each year we will be adding to our growing list of exceptional teacher-authors.
     All-in-all, it has been an odyssey off the kitchen floor and into the world of business..."

Narrated by:  Christopher Woods