The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Small Business Deep Dives with Entrepreneurs

70% Margins in the Mobile Roller Skating Business. Ep. #85

4 snips

Oct 30, 2024

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.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Rolling Through COVID: A Business Breakthrough

01:59 • 11min

Navigating the Momentum of Unexpected Success in Business

12:45 • 1min

Unit Economics and Operational Strategy in Mobile Roller Skating

14:11 • 2min

Rolling into Success: The Mobile Skating Boom

16:01 • 19min

Roller Skating Renaissance

34:35 • 10min

Innovative Revenue Strategies in Retail Marketing

44:21 • 2min

Innovative Approaches to Mobile Roller Skating

46:03 • 17min

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!
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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