Alles Normales

By Nathan Benson
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Most people see CDs in circles. Not George Cruz; he wanted to see something more. In fact, this young Chamorro, a native of Guam, is the entrepreneur behind a business that cut CDs into different shapes.

“My mind is always thinking. I always try to look and see what’s out there,” George said.

Quoting a line from the movie Toys, George said his personal catalyst for creative thought is: “Find a need, fill a need.”

Back in 1998, while moving forward with a document imaging company that he had started, George and some friends began exploring different options with compact discs (CDs)-still relatively new items at the time.

“We finally thought, what if we just make it to a different shape?” With a pair of scissors in hand, he actually cut a CD and put it into a computer. Unfortunately, it was unbalanced and quickly bounced out of the computer. Following many shapes and attempts with tools ranging from box knives to scissors, they finally managed to cut CD in a way that was balanced and was read by the computer. “This is it!”

George did his research and discovered that the only competitor at the time shaped CDs using a jigsaw. “C’mon,” he said, “We are in the 21st century, we need to use lasers!” Simultaneously, George happened to meet two engineers who had recently left old employment to seek the development of new inventions. It proved to be the right combination as George had the idea they were looking for. Motivated by the challenge, they accepted the limited financial incentives that George had to offer. Within four to five months, they created a prototype CD-cutting machine capable of cutting six to eight thousand CDs per hour utilizing lasers. “From this little company, this local boy growing up in Portland, Oregon, managed to meet with some of the biggest CD manufacturers in the United States. It was so exciting.”

In one case, he was to meet a CD manufacturer in Washington. Along with him was his sales manager, who was about 55, and his son, the company vice president and George’s college buddy. This young Chamorro was the only non-Caucasian inside the beautiful boardroom that was lined with oak and cherry wood. As everyone was shaking hands, the President walked into the room, approached the 55-year-old sales manager, and asked, “Are you Mr. Cruz?” To his surprise, the sales manager referred the president to George, who was standing in the back at the time. “In a room of old white guys, who would think that I had come up with the idea.”

In the fiercely competitive market of the U.S. mainland, George Cruz found his niche. “No matter where you come from, no matter what background you have, anyone can succeed.” With only the prototype, they began getting orders from across the United States to Hong Kong. They even attracted prominent clients such as the NFL and the pop singing group Backstreet Boys. Gradually, the demands of the business consumed much of his personal life and began to affect his relationship with his future wife. “The choice was to stay in it and hopefully become a millionaire or savor my relationship with my wife,” George said.

It was no choice, really. George made the difficult decision in 2000 to sell the business and return to Saipan, the home of his wife Marlene.

Now three kids later, George still doesn’t let his mind rest as he continues to find and fill needs here in our community. He is currently the president of Marianas Health Services, a home healthcare provider. In his spare time, if you don’t find him down at the basketball court with the kids, you will find him with his family. Although he continues to pursue business, George has learned to focus on another type of success in the home with his family.

Filed under: Success stories - online biz