SDSI MISSION
SD Sport Innovators is the heartbeat of the Southern California sports business community. We inspire sports innovation through connections & networking, mentoring & education and access to capital.
As a non-profit, business accelerating, trade organization SDSI connects and drives the growth of Southern California's vibrant sports economy by offering innovative programs and services for start-ups, mature companies and service providers. We offer mentoring, education and capital funding opportunities for start-ups; best practice collaboration, access to new technology and public policy advocacy for mature companies; as well as deal flow to our service providers and the Southern California Investment Community.
SPOTLIGHT
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OVERLOAD
By Chuck Scott
Aaron Churder, founder and owner of Overload Skate Shop needed money.
With a storefront and an online outlet, his Overload Skate Shop in San Diego was doing well, thanks in part to his involvement with SD Sport Innovators and the guidance he received from SDSI advisory board member and Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), Jim Stroesser after Churder entered CONNECT's Springboard Program in 2009.
But now he knew he needed to take the next step. Small retail shops were being swallowed up by bigger retailers and many local stores were closing. His options were to grow or get run over.
"We had the approval to sell all brands online, but we needed capital to have enough product and enough employees to market the product," Churder said.
Once again, the SDSI connection proved valuable. Churder said he liked to network with other Springboard entrepreneurs, who shared a mindset, vision and goals even though they may be in different businesses. It was one of those other entrepreneurs, Kathy Taylor, the founder and CEO of Attagirl, who introduced him to the founder of Mervyns.
"He was getting into the action sports online space and he had financing, but wasn't able to get all the manufacturers on board," Churder said.
It proved to be a perfect marriage.
As a result, Churder said, Overload last fall received a commitment for a significant amount of money over the next three years. They now have seven employees, a 9,000 square foot warehouse across the street from the store and a partner with a significant background in the large retail world.
Churder said Overload, which also signed a deal with the military to be their official skate shop, could hit $1 million in sales this year, with the expectation of stronger growth next year.
"Without money you can't grow your business," Churder said, "but without all the relevant pieces all the money in the world isn't going to work."
For more information about Overload, check out their website here.
