Curt Richardson.

• Author: Taylor, Mike
• Position: MEDIUM COMPANY FINALIST - Occupation overview - Brief article

Curt Richardson, founder and CEO, OtterBox

Richardson founded Otterbox in 1996, starting out making waterproof and crush-proof boxes for outdoor enthusiasts but soon narrowing his focus to handheld devices.

The pivotal point in the company's evolution came in 2007 when it introduced the Defender Series case line, a slimmer design than the company's original Armor Series. The Defender Series appealed to a large market while still offering the trusted OtterBox protection against dirt, drops and scratches. This expanded market reach gave OtterBox the leverage to form strategic partnerships with several original equipment manufacturers and wireless carriers. The Fort Collins company now makes cases for iPods and other electronics.

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The demand for Otterbox products is evident in its recent growth.

Richardson credits some of his business success to his involvement with E-Myth beginning in 1999. The "entrepreneurial myth" refers to the idea that most businesses...