“I’m a firm believer that if you do good things for people, good things come your way,” says Benny Bliss, entrepreneur and owner of Magnetic Bliss.

Benny says he came down here “on a wing and a prayer.”

In June 2001, the company Benny was working for, the education and government division, downsized and five months later shut their doors after 43 years.

Unable to go back to his company, Benny was ready for a fresh start.

Originally from Birmingham, Benny found himself in Josephine through a friend’s family and is a caretaker for their home. This was step one to creating his clean slate.

“What started as a few weeks has turned into a year,” he says, laughing. “I keep an eye on things and take care of the place for them.”

He’s been developing a product called Magnetic Bliss.

“After losing my marriage, my job and my house, I came down here for an opportunity to meet some people,” Benny says. “This product has lots of potential and I want to be a part of it. I’ve essentially built a better mouse trap. There are tons of magnetic hooks out there.”

It’s true; there are. But Benny’s previous work within the educational system allowed him to perfect his product.

“I used to train teachers with technology in the classroom,” he says. “Teachers like to hang things form the ceilings — mobiles, flags, birdfeeder, banner, wind chimes — using paperclips they’ve bent, fishing line, wire, anything they can use to get something to stay.”

Benny points out these methods not only mess up the ceilings, but are usually dangerous tasks.

“These magnetic hooks attach to the metal grid in the ceiling and hold up to five pounds,” he says.

Worried about stacking a desk on a table to place these hooks?

“I also include a telescoping tool that attaches to the magnetic hook and stretches 40 inches,” Benny says. “Stick the hook on the ceiling, “click,” and your feet haven’t left the ground.”

This idea was originally designed for the education market, but there are many more uses in and out of the home, military applications and even the automotive industry.

“I’m always looking to give back to the community I live in,” Benny says. “I hope people will see this has a possible investment with potential and want to give back to the community as well.”

Benny is even planning an entrepreneurial program to hopefully work into the schools, utilizing the talents of young people.

He has also recently competed in the Mitchell College of Business’ Coastal Idea Challenge, held on May 8. Benny’s idea and product was awarded in the Community at Large division.

“Chasing this dream has come at a tremendous cost,” Benny says. “But I feel like there are people out there that have the financial resources and also share my dream of wanting to give back to the community.”

NAME: Benny Bliss

PRODUCT: Magnetic Bliss

LOCATION: Josephine

CONTACT: MagneticBliss.com; Benny@magneticbliss.com