From the Desk of...

Wladimir Foo:
Iraq Vet Launches
Successful Ventures

Wladimir Foo is an Iraq combat veteran who is using his Marine training and experience to forge a successful business.

A few years ago, Foo had to put his business on hold for a while and had some close calls in Iraq. But he has bounced back.

Foo, 34, is founder, owner and chief executive officer of Red Grin Inc., a business based in Swartz Creek, Michigan, (MAP) just west of Flint.

Red Grin sells Airsoft and paintball guns, custom remote-control aircraft and vehicles, and various military-related gear. It also offers weapons training for military and law enforcement personnel.

Foo said his business racked up about $15,000 in sales in December. Most of the business is done online through his www.redgrin.com web site, but sales also are picking up at the store, he said.

"It's definitely growing. We can see a steady growth," said Foo, who has a bachelor's degree in business administration and currently is pursuing a second bachelor's in criminal justice.

Foo was born in the Netherlands, moving to the United States at age 16, settling in the Miami, Florida area.

A job interview brought him to Michigan, and he decided to stay.

"I love the state. I always liked the outdoors," he said,

In 2004 he launched his own business.

The following year, he joined a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve unit in Lansing. He said he loved the Marines and wanted to give back to his adopted country.

After joining C Company of the 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment, he was sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Shortly thereafter, he continued training as a machine gunner at the School of Infantry West.

When his training was complete, Foo returned home, but not for long. In 2006 his unit was called to active duty and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. The call-up forced him to temporarily close his business, which he was operating with other members of his Marine Corps Reserve unit.

C Company was the last U.S. military unit in Fallujah to hand over control of the city to the Iraqis. Foo was a team leader. With his machine gun, he did more than 200 missions with his unit while they were in-country.

For Foo, one of the most harrowing moments in Fallujah came when a grenade was thrown at him. Fortunately, it bounced off of him and exploded on the other side of his turret without causing major injuries. In all, the unit spent seven months in Iraq,

"We made sure we got everyone back home," Foo said. "That was my main goal."

Returning to Michigan, he relaunched his business with the help of a couple of other military veterans. He opened his current store last September in a small shopping center on Miller Road in Swartz Creek. He plans to open a second location soon in Burton, Michigan.

In addition, he has operating agreements with a training facility in nearby Lennon and with Advance Ranges in Burton. Those agreements allow him space to conduct training for military and law enforcement personnel in anti-terrorism tactics, hostage rescues and other critical situations.

At his Swartz Creek store he sells Airsoft rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, machine guns and even grenades, all of which fire small plastic pellets or small caliber paintballs. In addition, Red Grin offers a full array of radio-controlled planes, helicopters, tanks and other vehicles.

Most of his customers are in the 18-24 age group, but he said he also has some older clients, including one man from Canada who is 78. Many of his customers are military veterans, who are eligible for a discount from Red Grin.

He first contacted VetBiz Central to get help finding additional business resources. VetBiz also put him in touch with Kettering University where Foo received help with his business plan.

Foo says he operates his business that same way the Marines taught him to train. "Train like you fight, fight like you train."

About Red Grin Inc.

Where: 9061 Miller Road
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
What: Military simulation gear, airsoft and paintball equipment, custom RC products, M.O.U.T. (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) training with USMC combat veterans.
Web Site: redgrin.com
Telephone: (866) 460-6630
E-Mail: sales@redgrin.com
Founder, Owner, CEO: Wladimir Foo

Carl Stoddard
Maj. MIARNG (Ret.)

~ More Articles by Carl Stoddard ~

Ben Roof
Army Veteran Creates Successful, Rewarding Business

* * *

Jim and Bob Jablonski
Military Skills Put to Good Use
Clarkston Brothers' $3 Million Success Story

* * *

Kentucky Colonel, Harland Sanders
Former Army Private
Was Entrepreneurial Trailblazer

* * *

Roger Avie
Vietnam Vet Changes Biz Plan
To keep Up With Changing Times

* * *

Chris Reist & Ed Moor
Persistent Vietnam Vet,
Business Partner, Form Solid Team

* * *

Robert H. Nichol Sr.
Silver Star Contracting, LLC
Vietnam Veteran Recognized
For Entrepreneurial Acumen

* * *

Frank Campanaro
Trillacorpe Construction LLC
Former Ranger Turned Builder
Wins SBA Award

* * *

John Stoick
Vietnam Era Vet,
Precision Cycle Works

* * *

Mark Lott
Federal Contracts Drop;
DC-3 Director Resigns

* * *

Jerremy N. Glasstetter
Flint Man...
From Camos to Campus

* * *

 

Victor Lukasavitz
Vietnam Vet Builds 43-year
Engineering Career

* * *

 

Sid Taylor
"Once a Marine,
Always a Marine"

* * *

 

Gary Bates
Flint Veteran Opens
Downtown Grocery

* * *

 

Jennifer Kayden
A Disabled Vets Journey From Homelessness to
President of Budding High-tech Company

* * *

 

Wladimir Foo
Iraq Vet Launches
Successful Ventures

* * *