Business name: Agave Denim.
Owners: Jeff and Lauren Shafer.
Address: 6210 S. 11th St., Ridgefield.
What the business does: Agave designs and makes sustainable denim products for luxury clothes buyers. Products are designed in Ridgefield and made in California.
o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
How has the economy affected your business: Jeff Shafer said business is tough at the moment. Many of his customers have gone out of business or are struggling. He said the key to coming out stronger in this market is to have a clear vision of who you are and what you do, and to not lose sight of where you want to go. Carve out your niche and maximize on all your strengths. He said he has a strong company vision and team and these have enabled them to stay on track.
Greatest challenge: As an independently owned company, Agave’s challenge is to compete with companies that are 10 to 20 times bigger and that have huge budgets.
