The Business of Skating and Connection with Shelley Hedley, Brett Vowles, and Jade Green

In 2008, Brett Vowles and Shelley Hedley became business partners with franchised retail stores in Sydney. They were shopping for roller skates and noticed a minimal number of stores that carried roller derby equipment, roller skates and inline skates in general. Always searching for new opportunities, the couple easily saw a hole in the market for roller skates. They took the leap, moved away from a franchise model and started their own brand that became a huge hit in the market. 

Key Points:

[00:02:49] Lean in and discover Shelley and Brett's origin story.

[00:10:39] Why understanding your customer and how you can increase the lifetime value is the secret sauce to success.

[00:15:53]  How do you start? Find that niche market and communicate with them.

[00:22:08] Understand the benefits and pitfalls of going with a franchise versus your own brand. Buying a franchise is easier, yet there are pros and cons on those fronts.

[00:39:50] When COVID hit, they focused on the best performing shops.

[00:57:38] How to segment your time.

Shelley Hedley is a Canadian born entrepreneur and co-founder of Skate Connection and Coast Skateboards. With 12 years of experience owning retail spaces with a background in design and marketing, she moved to Australia after graduating with a Bachelor's of Human Ecology focusing on textile science and later completed a post-graduate in design.

Brett Vowles is a New Zealand born entrepreneur who moved to Australia in 2002. The co-founder of Skate Connection and Coast Skateboards, Brett has 16 years of experience owning retail spaces with a study background in accounting.

Skate Connection was founded in 2013. Skate connection is a scooter/skateboard/roller skate store that provides friendly advice from industry experts. Their showrooms have provided fun wheel products from families to athletes who enjoy the surf/skate lifestyle. In 2019, Skate Connection was voted by Vend as one of Aussie's most remarkable retailers.

IG: @ skateconnection.com.au 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/skateconnectionau/

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Join your host Jade Green on The Barrels and Business Podcast - a show that regardless of the surf conditions, delivers entertaining, inspiration and insights on the best surf spots in the world, quintessential quivers, product recommendations, worst wipeouts, as well as discussions on the trials and tribulations of starting and scaling businesses.

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