Client Story: Straz Components
Client Name: Tim Straz
Business Name: Straz Components
Business Website: strazcomponents.com/
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: Wolfeboro Falls, NH
SBDC Advisor's Name: Janie Wang
SBDC Client: 1.5 Years
From Wobbly Huffy to Global Entrepreneur
Like many other children of the 80s, Tim Straz’s first foray into the world of cycling was on a Huffy bike. What started as teetering around in his parents’ driveway to pass the time in rural Maine developed into a lifelong passion which is making a global impact.
Forever an avid tinkerer and curious learner, Tim built a career in the manufacturing industry, where he’s had experience making products of all kinds, from woodworking to digital and 3D assets.
When faced with a career crossroads in 2024, Tim knew he wanted to begin harnessing his manufacturing skills to produce products he could sell himself.
A problem that paved the way to entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial at heart, Tim started Straz Components to solve a recurring problem. Many modern cyclists (specifically mountain bikers, adventure cyclists, backpackers, and gravel cyclists) use tubeless tires, which allow them to keep on moving with fewer flats and punctures.
However, the process of adding the tubeless sealant to these tubeless tires can be a messy and painstaking one! It has to be done several times a year and can leave riders with a gummy, latex-based mess and wasted product. Frustrated every time he did maintenance on his own mountain bike, Tim set out to create an innovative and mighty fix for this all too common issue.
Using a state-of-the-art 3D printer by Bambu Labs, Tim developed a prototype for a sealant funnel that eliminated the frustrations of adding tire sealant to tubeless bike tires. He tested his design with his tires, other active riders in his community, and bike shops. Once he knew he had a superior solution in hand, he began writing a business plan so he could sell it!
The SBDC offered an alternative route
While poring over his business plan in the spring of 2024, Tim began to get very frustrated with the writing process, wondering if he even needed one. He started losing steam and motivation for his business idea altogether and realized he needed guidance and direction if this was going to work. The Wentworth Economic Development Center (WEDC) recommended he connect with SBDC.
Tim reached out immediately and had his first meeting with Janie Wang, SBDC Business Advisor, in August 2024. Janie specializes in the processes of online sales, patenting, and direct-to-consumer marketing.They had a great initial conversation, and Tim appreciated her transparent honesty. Janie suggested Tim set aside the business plan writing - for now - and create a “Minimum Viable Product”. She encouraged him to establish pricing, design packaging, calculate shipping fees, and set up a Shopify website. She also helped Tim establish an LLC, and within one month, he was up and running as an established business in NH.
“Janie is exceptional at presenting me with next steps and ideas.”
- Tim Straz
In November 2024, the Straz Components website was launched. Tim began reaching out to mountain bike enthusiasts and product reviewers, including a Substack writer and reviewer in Colorado known for his discerning eye and high standards. The Straz Components’ sealant funnel got a rave review and was featured in Substack’s newsletter in early January 2025. Within minutes, orders started rolling in from all over the world, and Tim thought to himself, “Well, I guess we’re shipping internationally now!”
Blending strategy and relationship-building
Tim attributes much of his current success to the strategy laid out by Janie during their meetings. Janie suggested Tim build relationships that would help his business grow and guided him to reach out to specific potential collaborators. Never truly alone on their business journey, an entrepreneur needs to know when to ask for help, lean on collaboration, and how to build genuine relationships.
“We’re in business to make money. But at the end of the day, it’s relational, not transactional.” - Tim Straz
Legal jargon, global exports, and patenting
In addition to working with Janie as his ongoing advisor, Tim has utilized ample resources the SBDC has to offer, including the LeAF program, whichprovided him with specific wording for the terms an d conditions on his website. The LeAF program also assisted him in applying for a design patent as well as international patent protection.
Tim also took advantage of the NH Export Accelerator Global Growth series, which he found eye-opening in helping him prevent and overcome potential issues and challenges that can arise when shipping globally.
"It feels really special to be taking an idea from a rural, NH community and sharing it with the world.” - Tim Straz
Tim’s advice to those considering working with the SBDC is not to hesitate! “They offer a personalized approach and will help find the unique fit for you.”
Moving forward in high gear
Tim’s currently focused on refining the marketing of Straz Components. He loves the nuts and bolts of product development and, with the help of Janie, is learning to translate the features into benefits with visual appeal that intrigues his ideal customers in the mountain biking space. He plans to add new products and hopes to establish future opportunities and build a strong team of like-minded, ambitious individuals.
It’s never lost on Tim how incredible it is that his concept, born in rural NH, is now contributing to the global economy. Present and grounded in his local community, he’s making an impact internationally and has shipped Straz Components products to New Zealand, Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and beyond!