Unique Career Transition:
Civil Engineering to Marketing Men's Pantyhose
All around, there are millions of stories, of people whose lives have been upended as a result of the economic crisis many have endured in the U.S. and elsewhere for the past year or so. However, my personal tale is probably one of the more unusual career transitions around. Some may find it interesting or instructive. Almost overnight, I went from a civil engineering career to marketing something called men's legwear (aka, tights, pantyhose, ‘mantyhose’, etc.). That sentence alone is enough to cause most people's heads to snap around when they hear it. For the full account, read on…
March 2, 2009 began like most days at the engineering firm where I worked, until the department manager called me into his office and informed me that there were going to be layoffs—20% of the staff—and I was one of them. The company's fortunes had fallen drastically since December, when the president’s year-end presentation painted not a necessarily rosy picture, but a relatively sound one. My head spun as I began to clear my personal things from my office.
Fortunately, my wife and I had been making provisions for an undefined 'emergency' since the middle of the previous summer, so we were not without resources. We had saved about half of what we estimated might be needed to sustain us with no other income for about six months. We were glad we had made such decisions, despite not having had time to complete our preparations.
Previous experience taught us that six months is about what it takes to find new employment in good economic times. How long might it take now, given the dire circumstances facing the the U.S. in Spring 2009--and still today? From conversations with colleagues, I knew the civil engineering market was in dire straits in Central Ohio. Many firms had been laying off engineers for months, and several of my acquaintances had been unemployed since Fall of the previous year. Prospects for finding an engineering position to replace my former one appeared grim. Where would I begin looking first?
Here, my story takes a unique turn…
First, a little background on how I first came to wear men’s legwear in the first place.
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When I reached my late 30s, I first began experiencing leg pain and 'heaviness' due to poor leg circulation. At the recommendation of my doctor, I began wearing support hosiery more than 10 years ago. This prevented the early symptoms of varicose veins from advancing, and contributed significantly to my daily comfort level. Early on, I became aware of a company called Comfilon (later, ACTIVSKIN) launched in 1999 to sell an as-yet-unheard-of product—pantyhose and tights made for men. |
Because they were so helpful in relieving symptoms, I became a loyal customer and eventually befriended founder Steve Katz and his wife. The city of Granville, where ActivSkin is headquartered, is located only 35 miles from my home. At various times, I've done 'pro bono' publicity work to help promote the still small trend of men wearing nylon hosiery for leg support, or added warmth. In 2002-03, I had also worked part-time on the side for pay, becoming very knowledgeable of this emerging trend in the process.
Cut to the present... The day after I was laid off, I phoned Steve Katz to ask if he could use any help, for which I might earn supplemental income to help get through the job search period. We met for lunch the next day, where I learned the business had grown such that Steve needed someone to take charge of the marketing responsibilities, allowing him time to attend to product development and the many tasks of operating a growing business. Being familiar with my writing abilities, product knowledge and enthusiasm for promoting men's legwear, he was eager to bring me aboard as the new director of marketing.
