70% Margins in the Mobile Roller Skating Business. Ep. #85
Oct 30, 2024
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Henry O'Brien, founder of SUSO Skate Co., launched a mobile roller skating business during the COVID pandemic and quickly achieved astonishing profit margins. He shares insights on setting up roller rinks in unconventional spaces and the importance of community engagement. The conversation explores innovative marketing strategies, user-generated content, and adapting to unexpected demand. O'Brien discusses the financial aspects of his business model and highlights the role of social media in reviving the nostalgic joy of roller skating.
Henry O'Brien capitalized on pandemic-induced outdoor entertainment demand by launching a mobile roller skating business, achieving rapid revenue growth.
Utilizing grassroots marketing strategies and engaging local media significantly boosted brand visibility and customer bookings for the roller skating venture.
Henry plans to explore franchising opportunities, aiming to make his successful mobile roller skating model accessible to a broader audience.
Deep dives
Emergence of a Unique Business during COVID
The mobile roller skating business was launched by Henry O'Brien during the COVID pandemic, recognizing a significant market opportunity. As many indoor activities were shut down, people sought outdoor entertainment options, which roller skating provided perfectly. The business quickly gained traction, generating $120,000 in revenue within the first three months at impressive margins of 30 to 40%. The popularity was further propelled by viral trends on TikTok, making it a timely venture that capitalized on both nostalgia and the need for safe recreational activities.
Strategic Partnerships and Effective Marketing
Henry successfully utilized grassroots marketing strategies, particularly focusing on partnerships with local media and influencers to spread the word about his roller skating venture. He reached out to local publications and engaged micro-influencers, leading to organic content that showcased the experience. This strategy paid off, with a noticeable spike in bookings following media mentions, emphasizing the importance of targeted outreach and community engagement in building brand awareness. The marketing approach was cost-effective, relying primarily on earned media rather than paid advertising.
Innovative Revenue Model and Operational Efficiency
The business operates with a streamlined revenue model, balancing costs against a scalable operational structure that includes mobile rinks and pop-up locations. During the first season, a steady customer flow led to significant revenues, with a focus on providing a unique, memorable experience rather than just competing on price. An investment in premium roller skates and protective gear helped elevate the brand's appeal, further enhancing customer satisfaction. The operations continued to evolve, allowing for a dual approach of indoor winter rinks and outdoor settings in warmer months to maximize revenue.
Leveraging Event Spaces and Seasonal Strategies
Henry's journey expanded from a singular location at the Bentway to additional spaces, including mall rooftops, showcasing the flexibility of the roller skating business model. Collaborations with mall management allowed for strategic placement in high-traffic areas, which enhanced visibility and foot traffic. As the brand grew, they adapted their offerings to reflect seasonal changes, drawing inspiration from successful temporary businesses like Spirit Halloween. This seasonal strategy helps maintain enthusiasm and ensures the business remains relevant throughout the year.
Future Expansion and Licensing Opportunities
Looking ahead, Henry is exploring franchising or licensing opportunities to enable others to replicate the successful roller skating concept. He envisions a business model that is accessible to a broader demographic, with lower startup costs compared to traditional franchises. This scalable approach leverages the established brand reputation and operational knowledge to encourage rapid growth. By offering a simplified blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs, the mobile roller skating business aims to expand its reach and maintain its momentum in the recreational market.
I sat down with Henry O'Brien, founder of SUSO Skate Co., who launched a mobile roller skating business during the COVID pandemic and saw it explode in popularity. In his first three months, Henry made $120k at 30-40% margins, which eventually grew to 70% net margins. Henry sets up mobile roller rinks in malls, parking lots, or any available space, making roller skating accessible to communities everywhere.
We talked about his launch strategy, the numbers, user-generated content, PR and marketing tactics, and how he managed to sell into malls. If you're curious about starting a unique business model or achieving high-profit margins, this episode is for you.
Learn more about Henry's business here: https://www.susoskateco.com/ https://www.instagram.com/susoskateco/ https://www.tiktok.com/@susoskateco
Timestamps below. Enjoy! --- Watch this on YouTube instead here: http://tkopod.co/p-yt Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask Learn more about me:http://tkopod.co/p-cjk Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x Free weekly business ideas newsletter:http://tkopod.co/p-nl Share this podcast:http://tkopod.co/p-all Scrape small business data:http://tkopod.co/p-os --- 00:00 The Birth of Suso Skate Co. 03:05 Navigating the Pandemic and Finding Opportunity 05:49 Marketing Strategies and Media Engagement 09:08 The Unique Venue: Bentway 11:57 Understanding Product-Market Fit 14:50 Financial Insights and Unit Economics 18:06 User-Generated Content and Social Media Impact 20:55 Operational Challenges and Growth Plans 24:12 Quality Control and Insurance Considerations 32:05 Navigating Insurance and Liability in Recreational Business 35:26 The Evolution of Roller Skating: Fad or Trend? 38:22 Staffing Strategies for Busy Days 39:45 Expanding into Malls: A Strategic Move 44:55 Understanding Mall Dynamics and Revenue Models 48:45 Challenges of Outdoor Locations and Weather Impact 50:40 The Transition to Indoor Locations 54:27 Mobile Roller Skating: A New Business Model 01:00:04 Future Plans: Licensing vs. Franchising
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