Built on Straps and Trust: The Reality of Running a Family Business — Everything Tie Down Turns 5
Some of my earliest memories are of running around the warehouse where my dad worked. I was just a kid, four or five years old, and everything around me looked massive. The trucks, the forklifts, the long rows of ratchet straps and boxes stacked to the ceiling—it was like a playground, only louder and more serious.
At that age, I didn’t understand much about what he actually did. I just knew my dad worked in logistics and was always around trucking companies. But in my imagination, he was the one in charge of it all. There was one company that stood out to me—CRST. Since his name is Cris, I truly believed CRST was named after him. I thought he was the one running all those trucks across Dallas–Fort Worth.
I guess I’ve always had big hopes and dreams for him. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve carried that same pride with me. Every move I make, every risk I take in this business, I do it with the goal of making him proud, just like he’s made me proud to be his son.
Even when I moved away for college, I swore I would never come back. I told myself I would never work for him, and that I would carve out my own path in a completely different world. But life has a way of pulling you back to where you’re meant to be. Not because you failed, but because you start to see the value in what’s been right in front of you all along.
And here we are today. Everything Tie Down turns five. And I get to build this company with my family. Not just talking about the dream, but living it. And now it’s my turn to help carry it forward.
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What Working with Family Really Looks Like
People hear “family business” and imagine a warm, cozy setup where everyone gets along and everything just flows. And sometimes, it really is that way. But most of the time, it’s more layered than that. Working with family means blending your personal life with your professional one. It means learning to navigate emotions and expectations while also handling logistics, operations, and real-time decisions.
There are times when we don’t agree. Times when someone sees one path and someone else sees another. But at the end of the day, we come back to the same goal. We want the business to succeed. We want to do right by our customers. And we want to make each other proud.
In our business, we all have our roles and responsibilities. The operation runs smoothly because we’re organized, and everyone knows what they’re in charge of. But we’re also the kind of team that doesn’t hesitate to jump in where needed. Whether it’s packing an order, helping a customer in-store, moving product, or troubleshooting something behind the scenes, we step in. No one here ever says “that’s not my job.” We take pride in helping each other, and that attitude is part of what makes this place feel different.
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The Strength in Family
Working with family isn’t always smooth, but it’s deeply meaningful. There’s a level of trust you don’t have to manufacture. You don’t wonder if someone’s really in it. You know they are, because it matters to all of us.
We know each other’s strengths. We support each other’s growth. And when something needs to be done, we find a way to get it done. That doesn’t mean we don’t challenge each other. We do. But it’s never about ego. It’s about making sure we’re moving the business forward, together.
Our family dynamic creates a sense of accountability that goes beyond just job performance. Every strap we sell, every call we take, every decision we make—those things reflect our name and the legacy we’re building. That’s a powerful motivator.
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A Business Built to Last
We didn’t start Everything Tie Down just to have a place to work. We started it to create something that could grow, evolve, and represent what we stand for as a family.
In the beginning, it was just a few of us trying to find our rhythm—printing labels, packing boxes, figuring out freight, and learning how to compete online. It wasn’t always glamorous, but it was honest. And every order, no matter how small, felt like a win.
Now, five years later, we’ve built a company we’re proud of. We’ve grown from an online-first business into a full-service operation with a storefront, warehouse, and strong customer base. We’ve built relationships with local drivers, national carriers, mom-and-pop shops, and large companies alike.
Through all of it, we’ve stayed committed to doing things the right way. No shortcuts. No fluff. Just quality products, real people, and dependable service. That’s what we built this on, and that’s what we’ll keep delivering.
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Why It Means So Much
There’s a specific kind of pride that comes with building something as a family. It’s hard to explain, but I feel it every time I see one of our straps on the road. I could be at a gas station, stuck in traffic, or driving through a random part of town, and I’ll spot our gear in use. I feel it when someone calls and tells us they’ve been using our products for years. I feel it when I walk into our shop and see our name on the front door.
It hits even harder when I’m traveling out of state and see our brand being used in another city. The fact that something we built here in Texas has made its way across the country is a humbling reminder of how far we’ve come.
This isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of who we are. It’s the outcome of years of experience, trust, late nights, tough conversations, and shared victories. It’s what happens when you combine hard work with heart.
As I write this, I hope you can feel the pride and joy we feel when we step into this place every day. This is personal. This is family. And this is what we were meant to build.
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To Our Customers
None of this would be possible without you.
You’ve supported us through the early days, through the learning curves, through the growing pains and the breakthroughs. Whether you’ve placed one order or dozens, you’ve helped us build something real.
We know you have choices when it comes to cargo equipment. That’s why we don’t take your trust lightly. Every phone call, every shipment, every strap we send out represents more than a transaction. It represents a promise. A commitment to quality, service, and people.
We’re not trying to be flashy. We’re just trying to be consistent, dependable, and easy to work with. That’s always been our goal.
So to every customer who has ever supported us—thank you. Thank you for believing in a family-run business with a dream and a plan. Thank you for trusting our team to deliver what you need. Thank you for being part of this story.
And if you’re new here, welcome. We’re glad you found us. We’re ready when you are.
Written by Christian Gomez | Everything Tie Down | Published July 24, 2025