Douglas Kuphal

Ocean City Lures, West Chester
$10,000 loan

CHILDHOOD HOBBY BECOMES DREAM CAREER. Doug Kuphal, owner of Ocean City Lures, grew up with a deep love for fishing. From this passion, his business of designing and developing customizable lures for inshore and offshore saltwater fishing was established in 2005. Each product is handcrafted by Doug, separating him from the competition. As a kid, Doug taught himself how to make these unique lures while fishing with his father and friends. After several different careers, he began to research the fishing industry, discovering a great demand for these fishing accessories. He made several contacts in an attempt to fully understand the materials that were required for making a quality lure. Provided with credible information and knowledge, Doug was able to create an innovative product.

To meet the large demand for his fishing lures, Doug received a loan from Community First in 2007 to purchase supplies. He says in order to succeed in the fishing industry, he “has to think globally.” Ocean City Lures ships products to Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Guam, Dubai and throughout the U.S. The industry is always changing and Doug never stops innovating his product line. His success and products have not been ignored. Doug’s newest creation has been featured in Marlin Magazine.