In the Black   Leigh O'Keefe St. Louis Business Journal    Small business profile October 7, 2005    Decked out in Harley-Davidson apparel from the earrings down, Rebecca Herwick, a 47-year-old mother of two, is a self-described rebel. On the weekends Herwick can be found riding one of her four motorcycles. Always fascinated by motorcycles, Herwick bought her first Harley in college -- a 1976 Sportster -- never imagining she'd one day own a Harley-Davidson novelty manufacturing business. Herwick took over Global Products Inc. as president, chief executive and owner in 1999. Socially, Rebecca Herwick describes herself as open and enjoying all people. "I'm interested in a lot of things," said Herwick, who began learning to speak Spanish and her native Icelandic tongue. Yet in business, she labels herself conservative. "I aggravate people as much as possible," she said of her impromptu meetings with employees. "I don't want people preparing for me. It changes them. I prefer random." Located about 30 miles west of St. Louis, Global Products is the only official dealer-exclusive licensee for Harley-Davidson novelties, giftware, head wear and custom products. In its 36,000-square-foot office and warehouse, the firm produces everything from T-shirts to shot glasses for more than 750 domestic dealers and 600 international dealers. The firm's international distribution capabilities have been strengthened through the addition of wholly owned subsidiaries located in Munich, Germany, and Burlington, Ont. Global Products employs 98 locally, with an additional two employees in Canada and three in Germany. Herwick makes annual trips to China and is in the process of forming a Pacific Rim subsidiary to better serve the firm's Asian customers. Over the last 18 months, the company also began planning a spiritual extension of the firm's product line. Divine Threads covers a broad spectrum of spiritual symbols and icons on a variety of items including clothing, hats and novelty items. Although the division has not received the financial push or attention from Global Products to launch it, Herwick believes there is a buying market. She said no financing is necessary for the launch. "We need a defined market strategy, time line and a team interested in showing the product to the retail market place." "Faith is a trend," she said. "The current events push us toward faith. It encourages people to look someplace else." Herwick said she worries about the decisions she makes and how they affect her employees' lives. One decision Herwick made has impacted her employees' lives and work environment. Herwick became involved in the Center for Head Injury Services and the Brain Injury Association after a close friend suffered a head injury. "I couldn't wrap my mind around why," she said. To make sense of the situation she began employing people who have suffered traumatic brain or head injuries. Today Global Products employs one person, from the Center for Head Injury Services. The company has employed as many as three people who have experienced head injuries. Global Products also made accommodations for a Center for Head Injury Services employee to come and pick up merchandise to be taken back to the center, where off-site workers package and ship the products. Revenue: Global Products expects to post revenue of $15 million in 2005, up 15 percent from last year. History: Founded by her ex-husband, as RKS Novelties, the firm was always intended to be a family-owned business. In 1983 Herwick partnered with her then husband, Ron Stratman, in the retail sales of novelty and race-related products. In 1992, Herwick initiated the purchase of a new facility and equipment to begin the firm's embroidery operation, the partners incorporated in 1995. After the couple divorced, the firm reorganized in 1999 and Herwick became sole shareholder, president and chief executive. In 2000 she transferred the non-voting shares to an irrevocable trust for her two sons, 19-year-old James Dean Stratman, a freshman at Missouri State University in Springfield, and 16-year-old John David Stratman. Key executives: Rebecca Herwick, 47, is president, chief executive and owner of the firm. Jan Weyrich is the firm's operations manager. Shirley Rehm is human resource manager. Don Linss is finance manager. Cal Richardson is information technology manager. Alexandra Zenteno is sales and marketing manager. Professional services: Cecil Wood, senior vice president of UMB Bank of St. Louis, handles the firm's banking needs. Mark Dow, partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers handles the firm's accounting. Blumenfeld, Kaplan & Sandweiss Principal Phil Kaplan is retained as the firm's legal council. Carolyn Gold, president and chief executive of Sextant Technology Partners, is the firm's IT consultant.

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