Wesley Gensch – A baseball injury that led him on an entrepreneurial journey

It's deeply fulfilling when you pursue something larger than yourself. This local entrepreneur found a way to overcome the identity crisis he experienced when suffering from an injury while playing baseball in college. With faith, curiosity and hard work he's been able to help other people.

 

Show Notes

• Wes Gensch grew up in Pierceton and found his way further west when he enrolled at Grace College to study business and sports management, and play baseball. After suffering from a baseball injury, he couldn’t have predicted it would lead him on an entrepreneurial journey.

• While pitching on the baseball team, Wes suffered from an elbow injury that led him to apply ice at least six times daily. Not only was it difficult to accomplish what he desired throughout the day, the ice didn’t last long and he wasn’t finding the compression he needed. Wes hacked a temporary solution by making a gel sleeve with supplies from the local grocery store.

• After testing the concept with the pure desire to help another teammate through an injury, Wes realized he could help more people than just himself. That was exhilarating for him.

• Shortly after winning a business plan competition at Grace College, Wes launched his business CoolCorp, Inc., which offers personal cryotherapy products.

• Part of what kept Wes here was the community of people who wrapped around him to support him on his entrepreneurial journey, and the opportunities in Warsaw as the Orthopedic Capital of the World®.

• Wes mentioned that as a business owner, it’s a good thing to recognize that you don’t need to know everything. He recognized several mentors who have helped him along the way, and shared that you [business owners] learn to lean on other people who have the expertise you need, like neighboring business in the medical device industry, EnPak, LLC, which has provided manufacturing and distribution support for CoolCorp.

• When asked about the best spots to eat, Wes said he’s been described as a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy, but he loves Oak and Alley and Mi Lindo Acapulco.

• Wes still enjoys playing in a baseball league, and you may also find Wes playing “Spike Ball” during the summer months at Center Lake. He’s also gotten connected with a group of friends that regularly participates in outings and Bible studies together. He emphasized that the sense of community you get in Kosciusko County is irreplaceable.