SZ+S2GO

Wow, it has been a period with great dynamics. We have made new friends and got to know people and companies with remarkable and progressive ideas. Surf Rodz and Wayne Gallipoli are among those

 

We've got a new partner on board... CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY HERE

The State of Things

As most people know, nearly every industry is about selling something to make a profit. In fact, most business professors at colleges will teach students a simple definition to describe business...

"...something something something, blah blah... to gain a profit..."

With this model in place, it's safe to conclude that the longboardskate market is just the same. Longboard skating is getting warm in some places, and much hotter in others. Business is rolling in for some companies, and for others, the only rolling taking place is that involved with the floor mats after the doors close for good. Nonetheless, even larger companies are now capitalizing on the small man getting closed down. A perfect example popped up just recently, view it here.

Lost is a company with a following. Lost is also a company with sponsored riders who help market the brand just by being successful at their sport. Lost sponsors events that, in turn, produce sales and revenue for the company to grow, directly or indirectly. In short, Lost is a company far different than most longboard companies. 

Several longboard companies are so small that the owners have different professions in order to fund their longboard operation. Some companies have one single paid employee, the owner... who is also the salesman and the person who does everything he or she can to make the company successful... which means "...something something something, blah blah... to gain a profit..."    remember?

And so, a separation exists in nearly every industry. Customers often recognize the separation as well... at least those who belong to the niche, skilled community within the entire sport/hobby world. Those customers/riders recognize what is quality, what is not... what is a mass produced, copy-cat good, and what is a decently manufactured product that will hold up and therefore, be worth the extra 10, 20 or even 50 dollars.

Take time to think about this... what types of scenarios could happen? Could a small company partner with a large company such as the example used earlier in the writing? Could this partnership provide distribution for the small company, quality insight for the large company, and sales for both? Would that be nice to see? 

It seems as though the people who are avid about a certain something, such as longboarding, protect their passion... These avid riders do not want to see the market flooded with poor products, making it easy for any person in the general public, to join in on their hobby... Maybe there is a way to solve this problem... Maybe a blend of the small and large could make something nice and medium, or even super large, to provide everyone and anyone with something worthwhile... made with quality, care, and the same passion the avid supporters possess.

What do you think? Drop some comments-

DH Practice

Clark Skate from thelostsheep on Vimeo.

Nice display on the 200mm SZ's

Picture of the Day - 8.3.10

Shoes for everything... one pair for athletics - boards, bikes, etc.- one pair for the gym, one pair for the church, the shopping, the lounging... and another for the renovations. Some have a pair of shoes, or four, for some specific things... some just have one pair for everything...