Independent Brands

[CartelCrew]

I have started a new company at www.gearcartel.com. We represent independent ski and snowboard brands who are trying to get more exposure.

What is your favorite independent ski or board manufacturer?

 

[Puns]

First drop?

So are you an advertising company that only advertises for indepedant brands? Or is your service to provide people with interesting gear? Do you charge companies to appear on your website or do you make money through traffic? What makes an independant brand?

 

[STAUSS]

dude what are you talking about? they are an online ski shop. its like backcountry but only for local / indy gear... companies can become "vendors" on their site and thus make a profit. i guess you didnt click his link...

 

[Puns]

True that, I clicked but did not quite grasp... thanks.

 

[CartelCrew]

Our gig is that we help sell the product for the independent brands through marketing efforts. Basically we are trying to get them more exposure by putting them next to other like minded companies in order to make them more relevant to a larger audience. Since we realize most of the brands we carry do not have the resources to invest in new channels. Because of this, we charge nothing up front and only get paid when they sell something through us. Again, we want to help these brands grow.

Independent is a pretty nebulous term. We use our best judgement, but we are focused on smaller brands who have something to offer that is unique in some way.

As a frequent snowboarder here in Utah, I see the same gear everywhere. I thought that people would want to have the option to ride and wear something different. I hope you like our concept. We just want to give people the choice and want to support smaller brands who deserve to be bigger.

 

[Bateman]

The student i'm hosting and myself are currently in the process of making a brand. So far, we're focusing on 5 panels.

 

[last_tango]

Fortitude makes some bomber stuff. The Lincoln's are indestructible

 

[crab_pretzel]

i respect the wear something different thing but still holy shit indie skis are so expensive

 

[lamppost]

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/655800/

a thread i created awhile ago, might be helpful. id definitely scout Hardway Apparel out. there local to me and they make sick stuff, and my friend is sponsored by them

 

[Mr.Mitten]

Nine22

 

[Sparta]

if you help them gain more exposure, do you drop them once they have become too big?

 

[CartelCrew]

We have not had that issue come up yet. My guess is that they would drop us before we drop them. That is a scenario I hope that we have to figure out.

 

[Mr.Bishop]

We should work together more. Your message is on point with what we believe here at NS.

 

[250r]

yea i have no affiliations wiht that company but i bought a hoodie from them a year or two ago, really sick i still wear it all the time. Makes a huge difference in breathability/quickness of drying to be made out of the fleece they use instead of cotton.

 

[KravtZ]

.

 

[Sparta]

I just find it weird that people in general (not you specifically) support small companies until they get larger and then they lose interest when said company has become big. As if simply becoming successful equates to no longer being core. That people want to support a company but then once that support actually works, they no longer want to support them because they "have gotten big". I would rather support a company based on the quality of their product is rather than how large/small they are...

I guess I just find it funny that people who supported Line (for example) back in the day no longer like to because they have become a larger company. It just seems natural that you support them, they will get bigger.