Go Back to
www.WebWholesalerMagazine.com FEATURES 40 Alligator Heads for Smiles & Profi ts “T is is a regulated industry, overseen by the depart-
ment of wildlife and fi sheries,” McDade notes. “Each ani- mal has its own unique registration number. T is way we can track it back to the farm from where it was raised, and assure buyers it was not taken from the wild.” T ere’s a lot of paperwork involved, but McDade believes it is all for the good. “It gives the customers a secure feeling that it’s all regu- lated.” Sold under his own “Alli- gator King” brand, McDade is proud of his heads. “We have a specialized product line, and we stress the quality of the product,” he says. “We like to say our items will outlast the purchaser.” However,
the preserved
heads are just part of the business of Natural Selections. “We also have a full line of alligator jerky, a novelty item that’s very popular,” he says. “It comes prepackaged and is non-refrigerated,” McDade notes. “T e fl avors available include Cajun, barbecue and mild. It comes mixed with either beef or pork.” McDade is also excited about an upcom- ing off ering. “In about three or four months, we’ll be launching a 100 percent alligator meat jerky.” Alligator teeth are also a popular item, and Natural Selections off ers several products incorporating them. “Single alligator teeth can be turned into key ring items,” he says. “We also carry necklaces, and have about six diff erent types in our inventory. T ey wholesale from $2.50 to $5 each, and again, our retailers enjoy a three time markup.” McDade is also developing a line of alligator themed T-shirts. “We’re fi ne tuning the colors and pricing right now,” he says. “We hope to be ready shortly, just in time for the Christmas season.” Taking his business to its next logical step, McDade is
about to open his own Alligator Museum on New Orleans’ Magazine Street, about two miles from the French Quarter. T e facility will feature crocodile and alligator fossils from
his own collection, as well as alligator themed folk art, print art, Americana, ashtrays, salt and pepper shakers, and scientifi c artifacts. One of the centerpieces of the museum will be McDade’s own 50 million year old alligator fossil from the Green River Formation in Wyoming. Clearly, McDade is a man
“In about three or four months, we’ll be launching a 100 percent alligator meat jerky.”
Robert McDade, CEO and founder of Natural Selections Inc.
with a passion for what he does, and it is refl ected in his prod- uct line and at ention to detail. He sells mostly wholesale, and buyers can request a simple two page sell sheet, or visit his newly updated website, www.
naturalselectionsinc.com. His main customers include bait & tackle stores, hunting shops, swamp tour outposts, Cajun
restaurants, nature and science stores, trading posts and gourmet outlets. T e small gator heads are currently his bestseller. “T ey’re an easy purchase, and everyone knows someone who’d like one,” he says. Natural Selections requests a
$100 minimum order, and usually ships in one to two business days. “We have a number of longtime
wholesale accounts, and haven’t lost any customers,” McDade says. “I believe this shows that all our accounts are very satisfi ed with our products.”
For more information: NATURAL SELECTIONS INC. 1401 Distributors Row, Suite A Harahan, LA 70123 Toll Free: 800-246-5984 Tel.: 504-733-1983 Fax: 504-733-1985 Email:
steve@naturalselectionsinc.com Websites:
www.naturalselectionsinc.com
Find other great ideas for running your business at:
www.wholesalecentral.com/wholesale–news 42 November 2010
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