Mike Armstrong…American Entrepreneur!

Armstrong Olives...they are the best!

I had a nice conversation with Mike Armstrong earlier today.   We delivered a custom-painted Classic to Mike up near Porterville in California not too long ago, and Mike called to let us know just how much he was enjoying his new California Scooter.   Mike told me his only regret is that he isn’t able to put as many miles as he wanted on his new Scooter.  (I know that feeling only too well, but I’m going to make up for it on the Baja trip!)  Mike told me about his classic car, his interest in motorcycles, and how much he and his friends are impressed by his California Scooter.

Mike Armstrong's California Scooter on its way north

Mike with his new custom-painted California Scooter Classic

I think I surprised Mike just a bit when I told him how much we enjoyed what he makes.  You see, Mike knows a thing or two about making a first-class product.  He’s the founder of Armstrong Olives, and there are a lot of parallels between that fine organization and the California Scooter Company.   Both are family-owned and operated companies.   Both are headed by the husband-and-wife team that founded the business.  Both are successful companies that employ American workers.  Both are growing, vibrant organizations.

And both offer truly great products.  

I know this about the California Scooter Company because, well, you know why.  I ride a California Scooter, and you already know how I feel about these iconic bikes. 

You might be wondering, though, how do I know about Armstrong Olives?  Here’s the reason:  Mike is a nice guy (isn’t that the case with all successful entrepreneurs?).  When Tony delivered Mike’s gorgeous new California Scooter, Mike gave him a couple of cases of olives to share with the CSC team down here in La Verne.   Josh told me about it the next day, and I wasted no time in picking out a bottle of Mike’s finest.  I grabbed the hickory-smoked-and-almond-stuffed variety, and I gotta tell you, they are wonderful.  Beyond wonderful, in fact.  The blend of flavors is perfect.  I cooked up a nice dish of pasta last night (with an olive oil, garlic, artichoke heart, sun-dried tomato, and asparagus sauce), and we had Mike’s olives as a side.   They were just awesome.  I would have grabbed a photo of that dinner to share with you guys and gals, but the aroma was so enticing Susie and I sat down and ate before I remembered to get the shot.  Next time, folks.

Mike, thanks for buying a Scooter, thanks for the incredible olives, and thanks for doing the same thing California Scooter Company is doing – making great products and creating jobs right here in the good old USA!