King of the Mountain
He didn't let big companies snow on his parade.
Giant snowboard companies sponsor hot boarders to be the face
for their marketing campaigns. For Sean Martin, founder and
president of Donek Snowboards Inc. in Watkins, Colorado, his
operation had no way to compete until he sponsored a boarder headed
for the Olympics.
Martin knew sponsorship would be a win-win situation. "I
can get a world-class athlete and develop a product for him without
a lot of money, " says Martin, 33. After learning of Olympic
hopeful Pete Thorndike's dissatisfaction with his equipment,
Martin offered a sponsorship and modified each board himself until
Thorndike found the perfect ride.
Now sponsoring many riders, Donek has been picked up by a Korean
distributor. But Martin shuns mass production, creating just 300
boards in 2001. "I don't need to be the next Burton,"
he says. Martin expects winter 2002-2003 sales to hit $200,000. As
word of his craftsmanship spreads internationally, Martin's
commitment to superior snowboards will surely guarantee another
win-win situation.
Content Continues Below
Contact Source