(This story is part of series introducing a new awards program by the Dayton Business Journal called Inno Under 25, about young entrepreneurs, innovators and business owners in the Dayton region.)
It was supposed to be a side gig.
At least, that was Will Schmidt's first thought when he and his brother launched Corvexxe from their family's garage in Liberty Township.
Established in January 2020, the company was envisioned as a chemical distributor that provides tailored cleaning solutions to industrial end users. Today, that's exactly what it is, Schmidt said — but it's not where Corvexxe found its footing.
"We were only a month in, and then March came around," Schmidt said, recalling the early onset of the pandemic. "All of a sudden, it was getting pretty serious. Businesses were getting shut down ... It felt like it happened overnight."
That's when Corvexxe shifted its business model. At the advice of their father, Schmidt and his brother started sourcing and distributing hand sanitizer to companies that needed it most — namely churches, schools and small businesses.
They even supplied to large institutions like the University of Dayton, where 22-year-old Schmidt is an MBA student.
"We were just trying to do our part to help people keep their businesses open," Schmidt said. "That’s honestly how it started for us."
After hand sanitizer, it was disinfectant spray. Then, it was masks. Corvexxe even launched its own production line, creating 500-count rolls of alcohol wipes in house.
"That was our first foray into manufacturing our own products," Schmidt said. "It was helpful for our customers, and it was cost-effective compared to what their previous suppliers had given them."
Within months, Corvexxe outgrew the garage. So in June 2020, Schmidt and his brother moved the company into a 12,000-square-foot warehouse at the Stolz Industrial Park in Springboro.
As demand for household sanitizers and personal protective equipment died down, Corvexxe returned to its core business. Now, it offers a range of specialized cleaners for manufacturers, food and beverage factories, petroleum refineries and the automotive industry, among other sectors.
"It’s not a market that’s glorified," Schmidt acknowledged. "I don't think people grow up and say, 'I want to sell industrial cleaners to metal fabrication companies.' It's not dreamy. But we've really enjoyed making connections with people in the community, and learning how we can develop our own skill sets to better serve them."
This year, Corvexxe is in the midst of another growth spurt. The company recently purchased a distribution facility in Atlanta, and Schmidt said he wants to continue expanding along the Interstate 75 corridor.
In the near future, Schmidt plans to double the size of the Springboro warehouse, bringing it to 24,000 square feet. He also plans to hire more people locally and hopes to soon have 10 full-time employees in Springboro — up from four today.
From a revenue standpoint, Schmidt aims to hit $3 million in sales within the next year. The long-term goal, he said, is to eclipse $10 million by 2026.
"A lot of our goals are process-driven right now, whether it be prospecting or expanding our brand," he said. "But the goal is to continue growing."
Corvexxe
Founded: January 2020
Address: 245 Advanced Dr., Springboro, 45066
Owners: Will and Kyle Schmidt
Total employees: 9
Website: corvexxe.com
