How to Start a Skate Company
- 1). Assemble a team of talented skateboarders. This is the most important step toward starting a successful skate company. Skateboard design is secondary to the ability of the people who ride them. People who ride for your skate company are considered sponsored and are typically compensated with free skateboards.
- 2). Design your skate team's first run of skateboards. Create a brand and different graphics to put on the bottom of the boards. People will recognize your company first by its skaters, and second by its name and graphics. Finding a way to produce your boards can be difficult, especially when breaking into the business. A good place to start is with a company like Board Pusher. (See resources below.)
- 3). Start production of skateboards. The first run of decks should be for your skateboard team. People need to see notable local riders on your boards before they will give your company any thought or respect.
- 4). Film your skateboard team doing tricks on your company's skateboard decks. This is where successful companies begin to separate from the failures. Video editing is extremely important. Watch other notable skateboard companies' videos for ideas.
- 5). Spread the word. The Internet is crucial. Use social networking sites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com. Post photos and videos of your skateboard team. If capital resources are sufficient, consider taking out an advertisement in skateboard magazines such as Thrasher, Slap, and The Skateboard Mag. Many local skateboard magazines charge less money for advertising.
- 6). Get your skateboards and apparel in local skateboard shops. In the beginning, you may have to make consignment deals with shops. This means you will be paid for your products if and only when they sell. The ultimate goal of any small skateboard company is to be picked up by a larger distribution company that can sell your products on a global scale.
- 7). Diversify your products. Skateboards are not the only products of a skate company. Stickers and clothing are also a huge way to spread the word about your company and ultimately generate more sales.
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