Ted Repic, the visionary behind Rhino USA, shares an inspiring story of building a family-run outdoor e-commerce empire with his sons Cameron and Dylan. They discuss transforming a passion for the outdoors into a thriving business and the strategic choices that propelled them to success. Ted delves into challenges like inventory management and adapting to social media trends. He emphasizes the importance of branding, authenticity, and creating memorable customer experiences, as well as expanding beyond Amazon to diversify their revenue streams.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Family Business Born of Necessity
Ted Repic's son Cameron started Rhino USA after a teenage pregnancy forced him to support his family.
He leveraged Amazon training and reinvested profits to grow the business from scratch without dad's financial help.
insights INSIGHT
Niche Focus Builds Brand
Rhino USA built its brand by focusing exclusively on superior power sports accessories within a specific niche.
They pass on profitable products that don’t align to their brand mission to maintain focus and quality.
insights INSIGHT
Inventory Forecasting Challenge
Inventory forecasting remains an Achilles heel due to viral social media and unpredictable demand spikes.
Rhino USA mitigates risk by overordering and warehousing ready goods to reduce lead times.
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Ever wondered how a family passion project can morph into a global e-commerce giant? Meet Ted Repic, the visionary behind Rhino USA, who, along with his sons Cameron and Dylan, took their love for the outdoors and turned it into a multiple eight-figure business. This episode unpacks their thrilling journey, from the early days of Gorilla Moto Gear to the strategic rebranding that catapulted them to success. Listen as Ted reveals the powerful combination of skills and strategies that have made Rhino USA a household name in the outdoor market.
Get ready for an inside look at the complexities and triumphs of running a family business. Ted dives deep into how each family member's unique strengths—Cameron's artistic flair and Dylan's competitive drive—fueled their growth. We'll discuss the challenges of inventory management, especially with the unpredictable nature of viral social media impacts and the stringent requirements of big-box retailers like Walmart. Ted also shares the balancing act of navigating Amazon's shifting landscape and the decision-making process behind choosing between FBA and FBM fulfillment methods.
But it doesn't stop there. Hear Ted's insights on building a strong brand identity, from investing in high-quality packaging to creating memorable unboxing experiences. Learn about the importance of authenticity in marketing, leveraging influencers, and the ever-growing impact of platforms like TikTok. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode offers invaluable lessons on branding, market expansion, and the art of customer engagement, all from the lens of a successful family-run business.
In episode 403 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Ted discuss:
00:00 - Building An Empire In The Outdoor Space
00:06 - Building A Global Brand Strategy
08:55 - Growth And Success Of The Family Business
10:04 - Division of Roles in Family Business
13:28 - Starting Over
19:04 - Customer Feedback and New Product Development
20:57 - Challenges of Forecasting and Inventory Management
28:48 - Lifetime Warranty and Customer Engagement
30:08 - Navigating Customer Service and Market Expansion
33:18 - Global Market for Outdoor Motorcycle Parts
37:03 - Creating a Strong Brand Identity
38:31 - Personalized Customer Service and Lifetime Warranty
44:10 - Customer Engagement and Brand Identity
45:05 - Workplace Understanding Through Hands-on Experience
AM/PM Podcast