At LVT, our core values are the bedrock of our company culture. They drive our commitment to excellence and shape the way we approach challenges. Each value has its roots in our company's history and continues to guide us as we grow and innovate. These values aren't just words on a poster—they're the principles we live by every day.
While all our core values play a crucial role in defining who we are, there's one that never fails to raise eyebrows and spark curiosity: "Chew the Strap." It's the value that stands out, the one that feels like an inside joke to those who don't know the story behind it. When people visit our website or hear about our company culture, it's invariably the value they ask about first.
So, what does it mean to "Chew the Strap"? And how did such an unusual phrase become a cornerstone of our company culture? Let's dive into the story behind this value.
The “Chew the Strap” Origin Story
The phrase "Chew the Strap" originates from a memorable incident involving our Founder and CEO, Ryan Porter, and Co-founder Dave Studdert. Studdert had set up a meeting with the Secret Service in Washington D.C. to demonstrate LVT’s capability of streaming live video from moving vehicles.
On the day of the demonstration, Porter and Studdert parked their rental car on a road behind the Whitehouse. The vehicle looked like something out of a spy movie—wires hung from the rearview mirror connected to a cell modem, two antennas with wires led to magnets on the car's roof, and various pieces of equipment with flashing lights were scattered throughout the interior.
The idea was to leave the car parked in this location, streaming live, while they went to their meeting with the Secret Service. They would then access the live feed during their presentation, showcasing the system's capabilities in real-time.
But as Ryan went to power up the system, he hit an unexpected snag. The cigarette lighter, their power source, wasn't working. They quickly realized that the car needed to be on—with the key in the ignition—in order for the outlet to work.
Here's the tricky part: the key and key fob were connected by a thick leather strap. They needed the key in the ignition to power the equipment, but also needed to take the fob with them to the meeting.
Time was running short, and they began to brainstorm solutions. Porter turned to Studdert and asked, "Do you have any scissors or a knife? Anything we can use to cut this leather strap?" But they had nothing of the sort with them, and keeping the Secret Service waiting wasn’t an option.
Studdert, thinking on his feet, turned to Porter and said, "We're out of time, Ryan. You're just going to have to chew the strap."
Porter’s mind was flooded with thoughts about all the places this rental car key strap had likely been. How many sweaty palms had gripped it? How many pockets had it been stuffed into? But with the clock ticking and no other options in sight, Porter took a deep breath and began gnawing through the tough leather.
They made it to their meeting with the Secret Service just in time, none the worse for wear—other than Porter’s mouthful of who-knows-what germs from the key strap.
It’s Not Just a Story—It’s Who We Are
Despite the light-hearted nature of this story, it embodies a crucial aspect of our company culture. "Chew the Strap" represents our willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed, even when faced with unexpected challenges or less-than-ideal circumstances.
Our "Chew the Strap" mentality means we acknowledge tough circumstances but refuse to be derailed by them. Instead, we:
- Improvise: We think on our feet and come up with creative solutions.
- Adapt: We adjust our approach when faced with unexpected situations.
- Overcome: We push through difficulties to achieve our goals.
Whether it's driving extra miles to reach a unit or staying late to meet with a customer, or even chewing through a dirty, old leather strap, we're committed to going above and beyond to ensure the quality of our product and service. It really is our secret sauce—by embracing this mentality, we ensure that LVT remains at the forefront of innovation and customer service in our industry. It's this dedication that sets us apart and drives our success, one challenge at a time.
Still curious about LVT, our values, and how we're revolutionizing the industry with our "Chew the Strap" mentality? Learn more here.
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