Many people go into business after seeing an opportunity for marketing particular products.
Corey Mac looked around and saw the growing natural gas industry as his opportunity.
Earlier this year he introduced to the local area Marcellus Supply & Service, 2303 Lycoming Creek Road, Williamsport.
Article Photos
MIKE?REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
Marcellus Supply & Service owner Corey Mac gestures toward equipment his Lycoming Creek Road business sells.
"It's a lot of work. A lot of 16-hour days," said Mac, as he recently stood inside his store where he sells equipment for the gas industry. "We specialize in flowback equipment."
Since opening the store in January, business has been good, despite what he conceded has been a downturn in the gas drilling industry for the local area.
"It's probably slowed down about 60 percent," he said.
Fact Box
Marcellus Supply & Service
2303 Lycoming
Creek Road
But that isn't stopping Mac, who realizes that drillers who've pulled up stakes for western Pennsylvania and Ohio will eventually return to this area.
He started the business out of his home before moving to the former site of the Bass Pro Shop.
Having worked in the gas industry, he had an idea of what he wanted to do with his business.
But like any business owner starting out, he conceded it wasn't easy.
Much of the equipment he sells is heavy, and he had no forklift when he began.
Save for one part-time employee, Mac pretty much runs the operation himself.
Stephanie Woltz does sales, bookkeeping and other duties for the business.
"My benefit is I don't have the overhead," he said.
He said he's the only independent operator of his sort of business in the area, and he is not trying to compete with the bigger players.
He does hope to grow his business, however.
"I love this location," he said. "I live in Cogan Station, so it's real convenient for me."
Mac deals with "top of the line" equipment manufactured by MSI and Kemper.
He noted that much of the inside of his store remains a work in progress.
Eventually, he hopes to add racks for displaying the equipment he sells.
