Crowd Control Business Featured In WIVB Channel 4 Buffalo News Story

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) - When the super bowl is on most people want see to the commercials, just as much as the game. 

This year hundreds of small businesses from across the country are competing for a highly coveted 30-second spot. It’s part of Intuit QuickBooks small business, big game contest.

“I think it’s terrific. Small businesses are the heart of the country” said Justin Schoen, CEO of Prostanchions.
His company is a crowd control equipment provider. “We offer products like retractable belt stations, posts, and rope which you see on a red carpet. Metal barricades and signage” said Schoen.

Schoen runs the international business by himself, right from his laptop at home. He said being able to compete for a Super Bowl ad is a priceless opportunity.

“As an 11-month-old company run by one person, I don’t know if I could put together the millions of dollars needed for a Super Bowl commercial,” said Schoen.

So far this year companies have already shelled out nearly four million dollars for one Super Bowl commercial. Experts say it’s worth it because most companies see sales skyrocket after the ads air. Another local company trying to ripple that effect is Buffalo Tom’s Gourmet Hot Sauce.

Tom Cooper started his business from the ground up in 2002. He even created the special sauce. “Being in the restaurant business since 1976 dabbling in the kitchen throughout the years I came up with this sauce,” said Cooper, CEO of Buffalo Tom Enterprises.

Both companies, Vidler's 5 and 10 store in East Aurora and other local small businesses made it to the second round of this competition.

If there's a company you'd like to see win, you can vote for them on the Intuit Small Business, Big Game website.

Who knows, next year you might see a commercial for your favorite local company during the big game.