Startup ski brand

theabortionatorThat's kinda whack if you're that little invested that you'd be solely relying on gofundme donations to get going. Everyone wants a business, they've got the idea, the name, the dream, but nobody wants to invest into it themselves to get it going.

I get that skis aren't something you can sew together with enough time or just cut out pieces of plywood, shit costs money to get rolling.

I just feel like a kickstarer would be better. So many people bring little to know money to their business idea and then want 10k or so from other people like it's nothing.

If you get the money you better follow through though. It can't be one of those high school/college kid start ups where there's a big idea and then the person never follows through.

Unpopular opinion but whatever.

I don’t get what you mean by the first part because I’m investing literally all of my money in to this, but I appreciate the input all the same! What would the difference between GoFundMe and Kickstarter be? I didn’t really do any research to be honest so if it’s something that you think would be better please explain because I’m very interested in it!

animatorI don’t get what you mean by the first part because I’m investing literally all of my money in to this, but I appreciate the input all the same! What would the difference between GoFundMe and Kickstarter be? I didn’t really do any research to be honest so if it’s something that you think would be better please explain because I’m very interested in it!

Some of the smaller companies on here have used kickstarter so they can sell future products even if they dont have anything in stock. Whether shirts or maybe a pair of skis near cost in the future or something.

So people are sort if buying something and you get the cash flow and maybe they get a deal on something or they just are sort if preordering it.

And word, idk, maybe i miss read your posts about the financials. I thought this go fund me was sort of your budget for trying to start up.

As a donor, I feel like I’m just giving money almost in a charity sense with gofundme. Not that we shouldn’t do that! Just that kickstarter makes me feel like I invested in a company and it’s products on the ground floor.
For example, I have epilepsy and a company developed a wrist monitor for seizure activity and I “bought” a “package” that included the monitor and some basic swag like shirts etc but I at least felt like my donation to the Kickstarter was also a purchase which I did, in turn, end up with all the items including the monitor. It was an awesome experience all around.

I would be much more inclined to donate to a Kickstarter for this project than a gofundme.

animatorI don’t get what you mean by the first part because I’m investing literally all of my money in to this, but I appreciate the input all the same! What would the difference between GoFundMe and Kickstarter be? I didn’t really do any research to be honest so if it’s something that you think would be better please explain because I’m very interested in it!

Any updates?

9tryAny updates?

9tryAny updates?

Yes!

hello all
sorry I’ve been sort of non-responsive. I just graduated college in May and have been looking for work (currently sales manager at Orvis in Kittery if anyone is local and wants to stop by and say what’s good). Here’s where we are with Ballard Ski MFG

I have been talking with Smart Skis (big shout to @BradFiAusNzCoCa for the tag) and they are selling a heated ski press which I will hopefully be purchasing in the next few weeks. Money is tight with various loans, rent, etc but I will be purchasing the press from them if it is still available when I have the money. I have been spending time trying to learn SolidWorks in order to legitimize the ski designs. This is still a work in progress and again, anyone who has experience with the program that is willing to lend a hand would be more than welcome (and would be compensated in the way of free skis, etc). I am also speaking with various artists working on graphics, but I do not want to go too far into that before I take the time to learn about the build process.

We’re moving a little slower than I would like but that is the unfortunate side effect of just graduating college and having zero money. Thanks to everyone for all the hypes and love! As a reminder:

@skierman_jack has dibs on the first pair of production skis

the first 30 pairs will be available through our website (once it’s finalized) and the link will be published here in this thread come time.

the rest of the skis will be available direct through us and we will also have a few pairs at Fire On The Mountain Ski shop in Dover, NH (this is where I got my first ski industry experience and I still work there from time to time). Those are the only two places the skis will be available at first.

Any questions or comments are welcome! If you believe you have any relevant experience, please reach out! Thanks everyone!

animatorYes!

hello all
sorry I’ve been sort of non-responsive. I just graduated college in May and have been looking for work (currently sales manager at Orvis in Kittery if anyone is local and wants to stop by and say what’s good). Here’s where we are with Ballard Ski MFG

I have been talking with Smart Skis (big shout to @BradFiAusNzCoCa for the tag) and they are selling a heated ski press which I will hopefully be purchasing in the next few weeks. Money is tight with various loans, rent, etc but I will be purchasing the press from them if it is still available when I have the money. I have been spending time trying to learn SolidWorks in order to legitimize the ski designs. This is still a work in progress and again, anyone who has experience with the program that is willing to lend a hand would be more than welcome (and would be compensated in the way of free skis, etc). I am also speaking with various artists working on graphics, but I do not want to go too far into that before I take the time to learn about the build process.

We’re moving a little slower than I would like but that is the unfortunate side effect of just graduating college and having zero money. Thanks to everyone for all the hypes and love! As a reminder:

@skierman_jack has dibs on the first pair of production skis

the first 30 pairs will be available through our website (once it’s finalized) and the link will be published here in this thread come time.

the rest of the skis will be available direct through us and we will also have a few pairs at Fire On The Mountain Ski shop in Dover, NH (this is where I got my first ski industry experience and I still work there from time to time). Those are the only two places the skis will be available at first.

Any questions or comments are welcome! If you believe you have any relevant experience, please reach out! Thanks everyone!

Cheers to that bro

This sounds rad! If I put myself in your shoes.
year one I would press a few and hand em out to some buddies on patrol (depending on where you are) usually those homies beat the shit out of their stuff and they'll be able to let you know how durable your product is... also if they like it they'll be the first to tell other folks.
Godspeed bro!

**This post was edited on Aug 12th 2021 at 11:56:39am

skierman_jack

Cheers to that bro

Lfg

Hit me up if you need any help! I own/run Hinterland Skis! http://www.hinterlandskis.com

creightonHit me up if you need any help! I own/run Hinterland Skis! http://www.hinterlandskis.com

osb god

creightonHit me up if you need any help! I own/run Hinterland Skis! http://www.hinterlandskis.com

Yo!!! I’ve seen your stuff and it’s fire, thank you so much for reaching out!!!

Hello all another updated here, we have some graphics courtesy of @QuinnK !! Huge shoutout to him for some sick stuff. I’m doing my best to get some stickers and maybe some t shirts to get started. Working on transferring the first ski to CAD and getting that press. Things are moving much slower than I anticipated so I appreciate everyone’s patience! Let us know what you think!!

animatorHello all another updated here, we have some graphics courtesy of @QuinnK !! Huge shoutout to him for some sick stuff. I’m doing my best to get some stickers and maybe some t shirts to get started. Working on transferring the first ski to CAD and getting that press. Things are moving much slower than I anticipated so I appreciate everyone’s patience! Let us know what you think!!

Wasp fucks but idk bout that top one

animator

gilbertresselWasp fucks but idk bout that top one

Yeah I agree I don't like the first one too much but the wasp is cool. Looks like the logo of some hipster doom metal band

I dig the wasp, also did you need any CAD help?

yo thanks guys

QuinnKyo thanks guys

The man himself!!

Wasp fucks hard…LESSS GOOO

I'd cop stickers 100%. Also a shirt would be legit.

Edit: the wasp one specifically

**This post was edited on Sep 7th 2021 at 10:57:10pm

You do any basic financial modeling of this, beyond capital requirements to get the first few made?

alpinepleaseYou do any basic financial modeling of this, beyond capital requirements to get the first few made?

I’ve been working on that which is why I’ve been delayed starting the whole process. I would love to just start building skis but I am making sure that it will last longer than 3 weeks before I do.

Good move Animator. Product market fit is one thing, but if your financials are not sustainable it can be dooming.

What are your thoughts on the emergence of startup ski brand 1000 skis?

alpinepleaseGood move Animator. Product market fit is one thing, but if your financials are not sustainable it can be dooming.

What are your thoughts on the emergence of startup ski brand 1000 skis?

They’re a cool brand man! I am really a big fan of the sustainability initiative because I think it will help contribute to the longevity of our sport. I myself have been attempting to work with local businesses for lumber, graphic printing, and other stuff that goes in to the whole thing! That, and the fact that they have some super talented skiers on their team makes me thing they’ll do great (I don’t care what anyone says, having skiers on your team that people follow and like is a HUGE marketing advantage!).

I think too tho that with your focus of including us on NS in this project it’s a HUGE advantage over other just say “garage startup brands” wether we believe it or not this family here is huge and if something is good it’s gonna go a longgg ways! Everyone will tell their friends and it’ll spread like a wildfire! You’re gonna kill it! Super hyped