Building a Lasting Optical Design and Manufacturing Company

Kumler, Jay

doi:10.1117/3.786604.ch8

Book: Engineering a High-Tech Business: Entrepreneurial Experiences and Insights

Editor(s): José Miguel López-Higuera; Brian Culshaw

Author(s): Jay Kumler

Published: 2008

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.786604.ch8

Abstract

Aviator Charles Lindbergh said, “Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” To that definition, we would add, “Success is also measured by the fun that you have with great people in the process.” What factors have enabled Coastal Optical Systems to compete successfully? We try to find the right people, and we concentrate on those things that we do best. The success our company has achieved can be credited to the dedicated, hard-working team at Coastal. Each day we try to be a little better at what we do. This chapter will describe some of the lessons we have learned along the way.