How to Start a Skate Shop Business
Skate shops provide a blend of skate equipment and lifestyle goods aimed at skate culture. A strong image is important when starting a skate shop. The location of the skate shop is also essential because it must be in an area that receives heavy foot traffic from your target market. Word of mouth will be an important way to build a customer base for a skate shop. The skateboarding community is insular, and it may be hard to break into the industry without a strong word-of-mouth presence on the street.
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Things You'll Need
- Business forms, legal documents
- Storefront property
- Skateboards
- Skateboard parts
- Skateboarding gear
- Apparel
- Music
- Videos
Instructions
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1
Fill out and file all necessary business forms and documents to establish a legal business in the community and state that you will be setting up shop in. Seek the assistance of an accountant and lawyer if necessary to complete these documents correctly.
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2
Select a storefront to open for the skate shop. The location of the storefront is a major factor especially in the early days of the business. Establishing a local customer base will be important. Set up shop in a young urban neighborhood with a strong skateboarding culture.
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Source the products for your skate shop. Seek out small high-end products that your customers will appreciate. The skate community is insular. Find out what brands are popular in the neighborhood of your shop. Carry these brands exclusively to create a boutique atmosphere. Skateboard shops should have lifestyle gear in addition to the obvious skateboards, parts, ramps and shoes. Skateboarding videos, music that is popular with skateboarders, skateboarding apparel brands and other lifestyle products should be carried.
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4
Hire a professional skateboarder to have residency in the skate shop. His expertise will make your shop a popular destination for skateboarders.
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Set up a skateboard-friendly atmosphere in your shop. Host live music and sponsor skateboarding shows and competitions on a regular basis. This will help to build brand loyalty with your customers.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to your customers. Find out what is lacking in your shop and offer this product or service.
Create an online presence for your skate shop. Develop a community message board. This will allow you to keep up with the ever-changing tastes of the skateboarding community.
Ensure that all of your paperwork is in order. Insurance, licenses and taxes are the bane of many business owners. Get it right from the start.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Teenage Skateboarder image by Scott Griessel from Fotolia.com
