PAPE CONTINUES to INNOVATE (3/10/15)

"I always aspired to be innovative," said Atlanta's Pierce Pape. 

 Both entrepreneur and national business owner, Pape has for years worked to put Atlanta on the 'innovative' horizon.

"In college I learned to work with case studies, and find multiple ways to do a project or work with someone," said Pape.  

  As an entrepreneur, Pape warns that might require someone to let ambition replace ego for the sake of the project's success.  

"Sometimes you have to jump behind another person's idea, which is better." Pape explains. "You hope it will be the opposite, but it's best to approach a project from collaboration anyway."

  To Pape, collaboration is how it all began in Atlanta in 1994 with the Highland Bagel business.  He got out of it in 1997, and since college has used the sport of running as a way to channel the creative process.  

   "There's nothing better for me than having a plan, putting the details together and then executing it," said Pape. He could not have predicted the plans would come from a shoelace.  Specifically--- a Yankz! shoelace.

     "I was about to run in Louisiana's Crescent City 10K and I found this product advertised as the last shoelace you'd ever tie," said Pape. "I liked them because they made the shoe fit better, and that's what sold me."

     Pape spent about two years helping the company get off the ground, getting the Yankz! ™ on QVC ™ , and on shelves in stores across America.

     A group of Atlanta investors bought Yankz! ™ and named the company Sporting Innovations Group in 2002.  Since then they have met other inventors with products and no means to merchandise them.  

     Pape explains that several of those ideas were absorbed into the company, and many of the inventors have become good friends.

     The company is now divided into two sectors, Race Innovations and Yanks.  The former makes everything a city or organization would need to hold a racing event.  Yankz!™ has morphed into a store with a huge selection of products including apparel.

    "Follow the good idea people, I call them Gold Ships,"  said Pape.  "Your passion for the project should follow the planning," said Pape.  "It's quality of product/service and delivery that makes one succeed."

     Pape was proud to be a part of Ten Ugly Men, Rochester N.Y.'s annual fundraiser which raised thousands for multiple charities in his former hometown.

     To see the wide variety of products available through Pape's businesses, visit http://www.yankz.com/.

---Ray Macon