By Samantha Cart
West Virginia Executive (WVE) is dedicated to highlighting successful Mountain State entrepreneurs who are affecting change and living out their dreams in their home state. Entrepreneurs have tremendous potential for growing West Virginia’s economy and creating quality jobs, which is why the staff at WVE wants to continue the celebration of our state’s most valuable assets.
A past fire chief and curr
ent volunteer with the Bedington Volunteer Fire Department in Martinsburg, WV, Scott Schill’s work and experiences inspired him to create high-visibility reflective rescue decals for homes to indicate the possible presence of pets, children or disabled family members. He started his own company, Savin’ Livez, LLC, and has since expanded his product line to include emergency contact wallet cards with detachable key fobs that let first responders know a pet is home alone. Learn more about Savin’ Lives, LLC in this entrepreneur spotlight.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I have been a firefighter since 1979, and I have long since recognized the need to know if a person or even a pet could be inside a structure that is on fire. Many times over the years we have found animals alive hiding under furniture after the fire was extinguished, and this made me realize that maybe we could have gotten them out sooner if we had known they were in there. As I’ve gotten older, my priorities have changed. I know I have a much better understanding for just how much pets mean to most people, and often that is all they really care about if their house is on fire. I remember the old tot finder decals back in the day when I started that were applied to a child’s bedroom window. That trend stopped quite some time ago for various reasons. Some were afraid to display that a child was inside. I thought long and hard on all of this and decided to try a totally new approach. I spoke with some other members of the fire and EMS services about this and most agreed with my new concept. I decided to create a decal intended to be displayed on all exterior entrances to indicate the presence of children, pets or disabled people. I used a well-known fire department symbol for my outline and colors we are familiar with for safety. I purposely used the exact same reflective material used on fire trucks and ambulances. The idea is that they will reflect a known symbol to the firefighters as they approach the structure and alert them to what could be inside.
What types of services or products do you offer?
Currently I offer reflective rescue decals for disabled people, children and pets. The pet decals can also indicate the number of cats or dogs. I also offer an emergency contact wallet card with a detachable key fob. The key fob indicates that a disabled person or a pet is home alone and that first responders should check the wallet card in case of sickness or injury. These have been extremely popular nationwide.
How many employees do you have?
It is just me and my wife, Dawn. I have some friends from the fire department who often go with me when I take my products to shows and events.
What are the benefits of operating your company in the state of West Virginia? Why did you choose to start your company here?
I was born and raised in Martinsburg, WV, and have spent most of my life either working or volunteering in the fire and EMS services in West Virginia. It is our home. I am also licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania because we often go to shows and events there as well.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced as a West Virginia start-up? What resources were available to help you get off the ground?
For me it was very easy to start Savin Livez, LLC. I followed the steps online and had no problems. As the process progressed, I added our bank account, and now I do all my reporting and sales tax payments online. It is very simple and takes little time. This is my second business in West Virginia, as I have also owned Gums n Roses Vending Company, LLC since 1995. That is my full-time profession.
What could the state do better in terms of supporting entrepreneurs?
I really like that in Maryland and Pennsylvania when I file my sales tax reports, we get a discount for paying before the deadline. West Virginia does not offer that, and I wish it did. For me, it does not save a lot because my sales are not that high, but for a business with higher sales, that could save a lot of money.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy the positive feedback I hear from people I meet at events or I receive after they purchase online from my Etsy store or website.
What are your goals for Savin’ Livez, LLC going forward?
The most important goal for me is to try and help save lives through notification. There are no guarantees that if a firefighter sees the decal they are going to get every person or pet out of a structure, but if just one is ever saved as a direct result of my products, then it will all be worthwhile.
In the future I would like to expand my products to include high-visibility reflective house number signs to indicate 911 addresses. I would also like to expand my emergency contact cards to include medical conditions or allergies and perhaps create some dog tag versions.
What advice would you give to others interested in being entrepreneurs in West Virginia?
Do not be afraid to pursue an idea that is in your head. It just might work and be something others will like.
Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like to include?
I donate a lot of my products to animal shelters, senior centers and those who need them and just cannot afford to buy them. I enjoy doing this and plan to continue. My products are also offered to fire and EMS agencies, animal shelters and other nonprofits at a reduced rate in quantities. They often purchase this way and give away the products in exchange for a donation, which raises money for them.
To learn more about successful entrepreneurs in West Virginia, check out “Advice from the Experts” or read our other entrepreneur spotlights at www.wvexecutive.com/category/executive-exclusives/.
