Steven Marshank’s Import Businesses

The import business can be extremely complex. International importing requires strong knowledge of the laws and taxes that apply to trade with different countries. Steven Marshank, President and CEO of Marshank Consulting in Ashland, Oregon, is an expert on importing. He frequently consults with companies that are branching out into the import business, or with individuals looking into opening an import business. Steven Marshank also founded ClubHGH, an online importer of generic drugs. When FDA regulations changed, he launched Talent Compounding Pharmacy in Talent, OR, which provided low cost generic drugs.

Steven Marshank has a long career in business development. One of his first business endeavors was to open two Asian import businesses in California. In the 1970’s, Steven Marshank opened Primo in San Anselmo, California, and Qadim in Westwood Village, California. While running Primo and Qadim, Marshank learned about importing on the job. He did not have much formal training before he went into the import business, but he quickly learned that importing required great diplomacy and attention to detail. Steven Marshank enjoyed working with suppliers in other countries to get great art, home décor, and other objects for his stores. However, Marshank learned that it can be challenging to predict future needs, and that the red tape involved with importing can lead to delays. The experience of owning Primo and Qadim helped Steven Marshank to develop business skills specific to the import business.

After he moved from southern California, Steven Marshank became interested in importing gems and precious metals. It is crucial for an importer to be able to evaluate the value of the products he imports, so Steven Marshank studied gemology at the Gemology Institute of America. He imported gems, mostly from Asia, and dealt in metals in the early to mid 1980s. He also had a career importing herbs from Brazil, introducing and naming Suma which can be found in most natural food stores today. Steven Marshank no longer runs an importing business, but he consults through Marshank Consulting in Oregon. Now, Steven Marshank consults with other companies in importing and business development strategies.