[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6337-S6338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING BEAR KNUCKLES

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, Idaho's entrepreneurs are passionate 
individuals who consistently innovate and create high-quality products. 
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Bear 
Knuckles as the Small Business of the Month for September 2018. Located 
in Blackfoot, ID, Bear Knuckles manufactures gloves with a unique 
design that allow for a stronger grip while still protecting the 
wearer's hands.
  Bear Knuckles' founder, Shawn Schild, is one of three brothers who 
own B Bar B in Blackfoot. B Bar B is a family-owned leather shop 
founded by Shawn's parents, Bob and Gay Schild. Bob Schild began his 
career as a professional rodeo rider in 1954. Throughout his rodeo 
career, Bob carried a sewing machine and other tailoring supplies in 
his camper to craft his own equipment. He often sold rodeo chaps and 
other items that he crafted to make extra income while on the road. Bob 
continued his rodeo career until he settled down in Blackfoot with his 
wife Gay and founded B Bar B Leather in 1961. He continued to compete 
in the rodeo part time to help support the business until 1969. Bob and 
Gay passed along this entrepreneurial spirit and the values of hard 
work and integrity to their three sons: Jeff, Shawn, and Kelly. After 
taking the reins of the business from their parents in 1994, the three 
brothers founded B Bar B Wholesale in 1996.
  Shawn began designing his own line of gloves over 20 years ago, while 
competing in the rodeo like his father had done before him. He wanted 
to make a glove that could protect his hands, while providing a better 
grip on bucking bulls. After a great deal of experimentation, Shawn 
created gloves with curved fingers to better conform to the natural 
shape of the hand. This resulted in a glove that allows for a strong 
grip, while also reducing grip fatigue. Shawn's patented double wedge 
ergonomic design worked so well that it was adopted by several 
professional bullriders who still use it to this day.
  Shawn saw the potential for this new glove to benefit working men and 
women. He began making different types of gloves and approached local 
stores and industrial businesses asking them to test his new products. 
Several employees at a local natural gas distributor, who tested the 
welding gloves, praised Shawn's design and claimed that they no longer 
wanted to use any other type of glove. After further tinkering and 
experimentation, he received a patent for the design in 2015. Following 
the patent, Shawn took the next step and decided to pursue a 
manufacturing and distribution agreement with a large glove 
manufacturing company. Shawn overcame multiple challenges in the 
manufacturing of his glove, which ultimately led him to start his own 
small business, Bear Knuckles. Today Shawn's gloves are sold in stores 
throughout the area.
  The State of Idaho is proud to be home to innovative, hard-working 
entrepreneurs like Shawn. The entire B

[[Page S6338]]

Bar B and Bear Knuckles family shows how one innovative idea and a 
dedication to hard work can lead to small business success. They 
exemplify Idaho's unique entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the 
importance of always continuing to press on when difficulties arise. I 
would like to congratulate Shawn, the Schild family, and all of the 
employees at Bear Knuckles for being named the Small Business of the 
Month for September 2018. I look forward to watching your continued 
growth and success.

                          ____________________