Strategies_Spring_2025

VENDOR VIGNETTE

Meet Rob 6 Questions on Life and Business Growth With Rob Trafford

Strategies (S): Tell us about your history with Spec Ops Tools and Blish-Mize.

S: What excites you most about the future of the independent hardware channel? RT: The community and the people who we work with every day. Everyone we work with is always looking for something new and unique. I love seeing the passion these store owners have for their businesses and how they care for their customers. S: What is your dream vacation? RT: I’d love to go to a beach with my family, sit on the sand and watch the waves roll onto the shore. S: What did you want to be when you grew up? RT: Even though it isn’t an actual career, when I was younger, I wanted to be the starting quarterback for Stanford University. I love college football and John Elway was there when I was a child, so I wanted to be like him. S: What is your favorite product that Spec Ops Tools sells? RT: My favorite tool we sell is our line of levels because each one has a bungee cord and allows you to affix it to any material you’re working on. In fact, I’m installing fence posts around my house, and I can’t wait to use our levels for that reason.

Rob Trafford (RT): I’ve been with the company for 12 years. My current role as VP of sales allows me to grow our brand and product line. We’ve been working with Blish-Mize since midway through 2024 and they have been an amazing partner for us. Blish-Mize was the first wholesale customer to bring our 4-foot planogram to their warehouses. RT: We love telling our story because our company is more than a line of tools—we give back 3% of profits to multiple veteran causes. Additionally, meeting new and existing customers and watching their reactions to our product line is great. In addition to having a very successful Blish-Mize Fall 2024 Market while we were setting up our booth a gentleman came up to us in tears and mentioned how his grandchildren are supported by one of the foundations we support. It reminds you of the impact of we’re trying to make in the marketplace by not just offering a quality product, but by giving back as well. S: What do you enjoy about the Blish-Mize Buying Markets?

Rob Trafford VP of Sales, Spec Ops Tools “We love telling our story because our company is more than a line of tools— we give back 3% of profits to multiple veteran causes.”

Stop by to chat with Rob and see everything Spec Ops Tools has to offer at Booth #452 at the Spring Buying Market!

36 Spring 2025 • Hardlines Strategies