We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gina Ramsey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting two businesses simultaneously is an extraordinary challenge that few dare to tackle, but Paul and Gina Ramsey boldly took the leap. Despite understanding the inherent risks and knowing that even the most meticulous business plans cannot shield an entrepreneur from the unexpected, they pressed forward. The key to their approach? Unyielding grit, tenacity, and a readiness to tackle constant changes and unforeseen challenges.

Adaptability isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Ramseys. In September 2018, Paul suffered a cerebrovascular accident at the age of 54. Although it didn’t affect his motor skills, it significantly diminished his energy, strength, and endurance. As a drywall finisher, he struggled to keep pace in a demanding work environment but persevered. His health trials didn’t end there; a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis soon followed, draining his remaining energy, and making daily tasks painful and challenging. Realizing the need for a career shift, Paul trained to become a Certified Cerakote Applicator and launched Superior Ceramic Coatings, in Superior, Wisconsin.

Gina provided unwavering support to Paul during his career change, and simultaneously pursued her own dream. She embarked on writing a book—a goal she had nurtured for over two decades. Through this journey, she discovered that managing a successful authorship demands time, dedication, and a supportive network comprising family, friends, and industry professionals.

Paul and Gina believe that the greatest risk lies in not pursuing one’s dreams. They are committed to living purposefully and fulfilling their ambitions, understanding well that success requires venturing out of one’s comfort zone and committing fully to one’s goals. This, they assert, is the essence of entrepreneurship.

Now in its third year, Superior Ceramic Coatings is thriving and continues to build a solid customer base. Customers are pleased with Paul’s work, many returning with a variety of projects needing Cerakote applications. Gina published her debut humor book, Burnt Gloveboxes: Embracing Life When It Goes Up in Flames, on May 9, 2023, and is preparing to release its sequel in 2024. Her engagement with the writing community deepened. She founded the Finding the Funny Ink Humor Writers Network, a forum for humor writers to connect and learn from experts through virtual conferences. Meanwhile, she continues her career as a social worker, humorously noting the advice, “Don’t quit your day job.”

Paul and Gina are grateful for having embraced the risks of pursuing their passions and encourage others to do the same, reminding us of all of the rewards that come from daring to dream and the joy found in achieving those dreams.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Paul has long been a sports enthusiast, and his interest in durable materials led him to discover Cerakote—a robust, scratch- and rust-resistant finish that he initially tested on a few of his shotguns. After realizing the nearest certified Cerakote applicator was over two and a half hours away, Paul and Gina spotted a market opportunity in Twin Ports. They traveled to San Antonio, TX, for a three-day training session, became certified applicators, and by Spring 2022, they opened Superior Ceramic Coatings.

Cerakote is a versatile ceramic finish applicable to a variety of surfaces, including metals, plastics, and polymers. At Superior Ceramic Coatings, this finish is applied to a wide range of items from sporting and recreational equipment like firearms, golf clubs, bicycles, and fishing lures, to motorcycle and automotive parts such as exhaust pipes and turbos. They also coat more unique items like French press carafes, bird baths, and even Star Wars lightsabers. Customers can choose from over 200 colors and opt for either a single color or customized patterns.

The primary benefit of a Cerakote finish is its ability to safeguard and protect items from wear and tear, making it especially valuable for metal objects prone to rust. Moreover, it’s lightweight, thin, and resistant to peeling and chipping, ensuring longevity and durability.

Paul is committed to delivering flawless results to his customers, ensuring that each project meets the highest standards of quality. As a token of gratitude to those who serve, Superior Ceramic Coatings offers a 10% discount to military members, veterans, and first responders.

For more information or to view a gallery of our work, please visit our website at https://www.superiorceramiccoatings.com

Gina Ramsey’s mission with her humor writing is to infuse the world with joy and laughter, one giggle at a time. She aims to inspire others to “find the funny”—to see the positive side in life’s mishaps. Through her series of short essays, Gina invites readers into the whimsical world of the Ramsey family, sharing tales of the predicaments they’ve encountered and conquered using humor as their guiding light.

For a dose of laughter and to learn more about how Gina finds humor in the everyday, visit her website at https://ginaramseyauthor.com

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Paul and Gina Ramsey’s love story has a charming beginning. Their mothers were colleagues at the same company, and the couple first met at a company picnic in the summer of 1982. It wasn’t until 1988, however, that they began dating, leading to their marriage on December 1, 1989. Together, they have raised three children.

What has kept their connection strong for nearly 35 years? It boils down to endless conversations, shared laughter, and a deep love for their family and friends. These elements form the foundation of their enduring partnership, proving that sometimes, true connection grows stronger with time.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Before launching Superior Ceramic Coatings, we undertook extensive preparatory work, including business courses through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). It was during our business plan research that we identified a promising opportunity for our venture in the Twin Ports area. With the guidance of SBDC representatives, we fine-tuned our financial projections and later presented our business plan to the Entrepreneur Fund to seek funding. Additionally, we applied for the Mainstreet Bounceback Grant and were delighted to be selected as recipients. The combination of these funds, along with our personal investments, provided the necessary capital to cover our startup costs and get our business off the ground. The support from these incredible organizations was crucial to our early success.

Starting an author business, on the other hand, poses unique challenges. Traditional banks and loan institutions often view this type of venture as high-risk and are generally hesitant to provide funding. However, there are specific grants available for authors, as well as writing competitions that offer cash prizes. Despite the highly competitive nature of these opportunities, I have actively pursued them, though I have not yet secured an award. Consequently, the initial funding for my writing has come directly from the earnings of my day job. While I continue to write books, I am also expanding into additional services such as teaching classes and engaging in paid public speaking, which help enhance my income as an author.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.superiorceramiccoatings.com https://ginaramseyauthor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com@superiorceramic https://www.instagram.com/@ginaramsey429
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superiorceramiccoatings https://www.facebook.com/ginaramsey429

Image Credits
Gina sitting: JoAnn Jardine-Studio One Photography Paul and Gina: Summer Nitsch-Superior Effect Marketing