NFIB/Indiana Member Profile: Dan Thystrup, Adventureglass
In 1987, Dan Thystrup, originally from Denmark, came to North Webster, Indiana, to run a small amusement park that his family had purchased. When he and his brother, Bo, who are fourth-generation in their families’ amusement park business, decided to make some new boats for the park, they never knew where it would lead them.
“We needed some new boats in the amusement park, so we made the first swan and duck paddleboats,” Thystrup says. “They were very successful, and a lot of people wanted to buy them. So we decided to make and sell them. And, as they say, the rest is history. Now you can find our boats all over the world.”
And so, Adventureglass was born. The company, which employs six people, is best known for their themed paddleboats, including swans, ducks, pink flamingos, pelicans, dragons and pirate ships, which are used in resorts, city and state parks, zoos and major theme parks nationally and internationally.
“Our family has always been very entrepreneurial, so doing the boat business was a natural development,” Thystrup says. “I personally have never had a normal job, but always worked in our business.”
Thystrup says he’s never had just one boss, but considers every customer his boss, and he works for more customers across the globe every year. In addition to Adventureglass’ focus on integrity and hard work, one reason for this steady growth, he says, is that they add boat models or improve on their existing ones each year.
“Give as good value as possible to your customers,” he advises fellow small business owners. “Always be upfront and honest about everything. Don’t be afraid to put in the hours; the job needs to get done.”
Though Adventureglass has been successful, Thystrup does have concerns about the challenges facing small business in America. The three biggest problems, he says, are government regulations and fees, the deteriorating attitude from the midlevel and unskilled workforce and the belief by a growing part of the population that business is taking advantage of people.
Membership with NFIB, however, has helped Thystrup.
“It helps that we are not alone when we can voice our opinion through NFIB,” he says. “We are being listened to more than if we are doing those things individually.”
In addition to running Adventureglass with his brother, Thystrup enjoys spending time with his family, including bike rides, Boy Scouts and the Lions Club.
