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scrdofhites
Oct 31, 2006, 12:47 AM
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So I've recently given up my hopes of ever becoming a sponsored climber and never having to work..... a dream I'm sure a lot of us have..... but then there's reality. Anyways, I've been kicking around the idea of starting some sort of climbing business. Have a few different ideas. Maybe making climbing videos, maybe making pads and bags and clothing etc.... Anyway, let me get to the point. How hard is it to get into the industry? Whats the demand like? Bouldering would be my main focus, and i realize that bouldering is a sport in its infancy. This leads me to believe that now may be the perfect time to get started in the industry. Any suggestions from anyone who has started a sucessful business, or anyone working on the same ideas as me would be greatly appreciated.
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petsfed
Oct 31, 2006, 1:07 AM
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If you've got an awesome product (not just a really good one) and there is a marked desire for local gear in your area, that'd be the best way to start. Organic bouldering has had a highly successful guerilla campaign by giving a lot of the up-and-comers of the front range exposure to their pads and bags. Even so, business is not booming, per se. Start by filling a niche, then expanding from there. The pad market, I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment.
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gunkiemike
Oct 31, 2006, 2:46 AM
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In reply to: The pad market, I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment.
Which leaves what...beanies? Toothbrushes?
Maybe the first realization re. breaking into the business is how incredibly narrow it can be, and how difficult it is to generate the sales volume needed to make a living. It kinda explains why even hard core gear shops have so much floor space devoted to clothing.
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angry
Oct 31, 2006, 3:01 AM
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I'm going to sound cynical but here I go.
Even if you have a brilliant idea, you might not get anywhere. So much of the sales in this industry goes toward the lowest common denominator. I've talked with companies about what would be vast improvements on some of their products and sometimes a new product that would fill a void in the industry.
I'm usually turned down because what I want would end up being the piece of gear that would cost the most to produce and would sell the least. No matter how rad the company is, they do have to pay bills. Keep that in mind.
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jgill
Oct 31, 2006, 5:11 AM
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In reply to: . . . and i realize that bouldering is a sport in its infancy.
Oh, puleeeeze! If you're going into the business at least learn a little about the history of the activity you wish to exploit. See, e.g., Origins of Bouldering 8^)
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fixednut
Oct 31, 2006, 5:28 AM
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In reply to: The pad . . . I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment.
EWWW. That's icky.
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fixednut
Oct 31, 2006, 5:30 AM
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In reply to: Which leaves what...beanies? Toothbrushes?
Oral-B's got a monopoly on the tooth brushes. I'd work on a chalk pot that doubles as a bong.
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afreeclimber
Oct 31, 2006, 6:57 AM
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How about a crashpad that uses technology like a Therm-a-rest. The pad could be rolled up smaller, easier to carry, easier to fit in a car, but still a large pad when expanded. It would need some sort of valve, so it would blow like a whoopee cushion when you land on it, otherwise it send you flying. Similar stuff is already used by stuntmen in Hollywood.
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al_piner
Oct 31, 2006, 1:33 PM
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Registered: Sep 20, 2006
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In reply to: In reply to: The pad . . . I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment. EWWW. That's icky.
L.M.F.A.O. Too bad I can't rate today !
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bill413
Oct 31, 2006, 2:17 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: In reply to: The pad . . . I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment. EWWW. That's icky. L.M.F.A.O. Too bad I can't rate today ! |
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saxfiend
Oct 31, 2006, 2:47 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: . . . and i realize that bouldering is a sport in its infancy. Oh, puleeeeze! If you're going into the business at least learn a little about the history of the activity you wish to exploit. See, e.g., Origins of Bouldering 8^)
JL
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petsfed
Oct 31, 2006, 6:24 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: The pad . . . I'd say, is pretty saturated at the moment. EWWW. That's icky.
That's priceless! I didn't even think of that when I wrote it.
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