Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Victorin.
Hi Thomas, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I decided to start my own business 5 yrs ago. I am an electrical engineer and use to design control systems for HVAC systems used in the yachting industry. I used my experience of over 30 yrs having various roles to go on my own and began Active Controls. Active Controls produces products that are used in the RV and Home markets. I have a couple of patents related to those products. I was fully focused on growing that business and continue to do so but another opportunity came up from one of suppliers that manufactured Ebikes.
I have always had interest in new technology and ebikes were steadily growing and will be here for a long time. I inquired after they mentioned their products and we had a mutual customer that they were going to be showing their lineup and after that I got into it a few months later and I started Sunshine Eride. We are now going on 3 yrs of having the retail stores and have expanded the brands that we carry. We also expanded to doing repairs which has the largest growth as many stores do not do repairs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When starting a business there are many unknowns and having never been in the retail business I have learned a lot! Location is very important to the success of a business and our 2nd location was more thought out and is doing very well compared to the first location. Fraud is the next biggest concern when dealing with credit cards. We’ve had to adjust how we do business because of that as insurance doesn’t cover chargebacks.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started my career as a US Army Avionics repair technician which got me into electronics. Once I completed my 4 years, I went to work for a semiconductor company in Melbourne Fl. While at Harris Semiconductor I went back to school and got my BSEE and continued to work there for 18 yrs and when I left the company which had become Intersil Corp and was a co-inventor on a few patents.
I took a short break of 2 yrs working on the business side which helped develop me to be on my own later in my career and after that I went back into engineering working for Dometic Corp in Pompano designing controls for various projects and running an electrical engineering team.
After 9 yrs I felt the need to do more and took another position expanding my knowledge in the electronics manufacturing business as a national sales manager. I only did that for a year and then launched my own electronics business.
I am most proud of the fact that I was able to launch a successful business without a lot of help. First as a consultant and designing my products and then into an assembly operation. That business became a family run operation with my daughter helping out quite a bit to setup things and trained her and then my step daughter.
Once you start one it is much easier to start a 2nd business which is Sunshine Eride.
I think all small business owners understand that you have to put in extra hours if you want to be successful and I’m no different. I’ve always worked above and beyond to get projects done and now its way more rewarding as you feel a sense of accomplishment and see the end results right away and that is very rewarding.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best part of south florida is the energy you feel! There are so many things for people to do and the atmosphere and warmth makes you want to be outdoors being Active! The sports teams are my favorite as we try to catch either a basketball or football game during the season.
I would say like most the traffic is not my favorite so I pick specific times to avoid it as much as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunshineeride.com/, and https://shop.active-controlsllc.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@activecontrolsllc
