Skateboard Shop
Opening Your Own Skateboard Shop
From Marc Fuentes
Skateboard Shop
Starting your own skateboard shop is easy, hard, rewarding and frustrating. I, like a lot of skaters I know, have thought about how great it would be to own my own skateboard shop, hook skaters up with gear, get the latest and greatest stuff for myself!
I’ve been talking with Marc, a guy who opened his own brick-and-mortar skateboard shop, and who has a lot of experience with skateboarding business. I asked Marc to share some of his advice for people who want to open their own skate shop, and Marc was happy to help. The following info is thanks for Marc, along with Grant Cardone and Tom Hopkins.
Getting Started
Getting started is easy. Here is what you will need
1. Business License
2. Credit Card— for purchasing inventory
3. Supplier— Google skateboard distributor to find the closest one to your town—- you will need multiple suppliers
4. Building– start with the smallest building with the lowest rent– you can expand later
The Shop
The shop needs to be in a great location with plenty of parking. This way the skaters are always close to your shop in case they break a deck, need parts, or want to just stop by the shop the see your new products.
Setting up Shop
Glass case for products
Slat wall for decks
TV- dvd player for watching skateboard videos
Tools for working on boards (sockets, skate tool, razor blades, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches)
Bearing press (this is very important for building boards quickly when you have a busy Saturday or during Christmas)
Workbench
Inventory — give choices
You need to carry only quality products. You will need a variety of products in different price ranges. You can stock lower price decks but make sure they are good quality boards made of rock hard Canadian maple. You will also need to carry pro boards for the better skaters but most beginners don’t want to spend $150 on their first skateboard.
Advertising
The best way I found to advertise is with stickers and shop t shirts. All the skaters will be glad to be your friend on myspace and you can post bulletins on specials and any events you will organizing.
Opening day
Your best day for business will be Saturday. On my opening day, I gave away a skateboard, wheels, posters and stickers. You can advertise this on myspace and hand out paper flyers that you drop off at the skatepark starting a couple weeks before the grand opening. I would also schedule a skate demo at 1pm with the best skaters in town if you have the room on you parking lot.
Selling
I’m not talking about being a fast talker and pressuring customers to buy. I’m talking about taking care of the customers needs and wants. A famous sales trainer Tom Hopkins once said, “Become an expert adviser, not a salesperson.”
Attitude
If you want to learn more about selling and having a great attitude for success, I recommend Grant Cardone’s new book– Selling — “The Secret to Success” available at Amazon.com. Grant says, ” An individual that combines a great attitude with a great product becomes unstoppable”
You may also read Skate Clothing, Skateboard Ramps and Skateboard Tricks
