RMI SUPPLY SECURES MARKET SHARE THROUGH CONTROLLED GROWTH AND QUALITY SERVICE

Tales of the entrepreneurial spirit secure a sizable portion of space in the history books and continue to shock and impress spectators benefiting from the technology or advancement set forth.

- NICK VACCARO

The range of success is often defined by company size and profit margin. As a populace, we have fallen victim to the thought that bigger is better. While people like Bill Gates and Henry Ford have left an unwavering mark on society, the entrepreneurial spirit mustered by small business America often pales in the spotlight.

No matter the level of recognition mustered, the modern entrepreneur refrains from giving the notion a second thought, and Mark Workman, president of RMI Supply, is the same. His definition of success reigns as a simple recipe of controlled growth, offering a quality product, and prevailing as the absolute best in customer service.

After graduating from college in 1992 with a psychology degree, Workman quickly became overcome with dreams of being his own boss. He opened a trucking company, making runs to and from Canada. By 2008, he managed over 300 phone calls daily and fell victim to burnout.

Like most entrepreneurs, Workman took a chance in what at the time seemed like one of the unlikeliest places – oil and gas. Although a resident of Montana, he attended a seminar hosted by Wells Fargo Bank in Minnesota. Workman spent three days attending and determined the message was: Oil, gas and coal are good.

“I always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Workman.

The seminar proved informative, and Workman returned home and began visiting mining companies. Three years later, RMI Supply emerged as an up-andcoming specialty chemical company.

“My first order came from Weatherford,” says Workman. “They ordered six million pounds of Gilsonite over a year. At that point, I knew I was on to something.”

Anyone can dream and desire to have a self-employment career, but it is not easy. It can be daunting and demands commitment. Workman credits determination as critical to meeting goals, including starting a business.

“Not quitting is winning,” says Workman.