March 4, 2008
When we were looking for some women involved in the business side of the snowboard industry, we came across Jan Kodadek and Kim Goldstein, founders of a new snowboard shop for women, shreddingbetty. THe shop opened in 2007 and features snowboard gear and apparel for women only. After working in a shop for years, Kim got together with her friend Jan, noticing that shops lacked the advice and selection that female riders needed. Check out their shop at shreddingbetty.com . They're running a big end of season sale right now, 20% off everything on the site!
Where do you girls like to ride?
K: My best season was in New Zealand. In the US, it would be the back
bowls of Vail.
J: A Basin is pretty fun. On the east coast, it would be Stratton.
When did you first get started snowboarding?
K: The first time I ever went, I was 12. I shattered my wrist and 7
years later, I bought a pair of wrist guards and started back up.
J: I sprained my wrist a few weeks into my first season riding. I was
back out a few weeks later with a splint.
What made you think of starting a women's snowboard shop?
K: I worked in a shop for a few seasons and speaking with the women
who came in, I saw that their needs as riders weren't being met.
First, there wasn't as much product for women available and the
technical information wasn't out there - no one would take the time to
explain it to female customers. Shop people would always use technical
jargon and female customers would end up frustrated and buying the
wrong equipment for their needs.
J: Kim and I met when I was shopping for my first snowboard set-up. I
had been to several shops and the guys I dealt with weren't taking the
time to explain to me the differences in the equipment available and
how it would affect my riding. I did some research on the web and one
day ended up in the shop that Kim worked at. She helped me find the
perfect set-up and we became instant friends. The rest is history!
How did you think of the name shreddingbetty?
K: The site was originally called Switch Girls. Everyone told me that
it sounded like a freaky trans-sexual porno site, so I went back to
the drawing board. It just popped into my head one morning... The
Switchgirls web domain is for sale, if anyone is interested.
If shreddingbetty makes you guys super rich, what would you do with
all that cash? Would you give some of it to me?
K: I will take everyone I know down to South America by hot air
balloon to shred for the summer. Then I'm going buy a gospel choir and
have them wake me up with 'Oh Happy Day!' every morning.
J: When I'm not in South America with Kim, I'm gonna be running my end
of shreddingbetty from a plush hotel room in the Swiss Alps with my
hot boyfriend waxing my board every morning and my pet snow leopard.
K: You guys can come in the hot air balloon with us.
J: ...and when my snow leopard has babies, I'll give you one!
What about if I was attacking you with nunchucks?
K: ...Clearly you haven't heard about our ninja moves!
Do you guys plan on selling any men's gear that might work for women
too, or unisex gear?
K: Our intention with the site is to offer brands that support women.
By showing that there is a strong and viable market for equipment
specific to the needs of the ladies, it will encourage the continued
investment of research and development efforts into womens equipment.
That said, we don't intend to ever sell men's gear. There's tons of
great companies focused on men's snowboarding already.
What are you gonna sell in the off season? Will you have major sales?
*hint hint*
J: In the spring and summer, we will be selling womens streetwear and
lifestyle products. Our goal is to support the lifestyle of women
riders on and off the slopes... And of course, we will have sales periodically!
Pirates or Ninjas?
K: ninjas with eye patches!
What kind of information do you plan on having on your website to help
consumers?
K: We are building a technical resource that ties into the store, so
you know how specific technologies affect your riding. We offer live
chat and phone support (if you call, you'll probably get Jan or I)
where you can ask us anything, even what to wear on a first date!
There will also be a place for customer reviews so girls can recommend
products to each other.
Are you going to test all the gear you sell? If so, could you do me a
favor and take a really bad tumble in the outerwear and let me know if
snow gets down your pants?
K: We started product testing at the end of last season and intend to
test everything we sell. We specifically chose products that we can
stand behind and feel confident that we are offering girls the best
equipment.
J: I'll test the snowpants for you. I still fall a lot!
Jan, are you related to Jan Brady?
J: No but I wish I was, because when the brady bunch went into
syndication, I would have gotten crazy royalties.
Least favorite trend in snowboarding?
J: Buying bling-encrusted gear and sitting in the lodge eating bons
bons all day.
K: Why you knockin' my style?!?!
How do you feel about people who buy everything just because it matches?
K: Matching is a skill that I don't have, so I say go for it if you can.
If you were forced to pick between a 20 foot jump and a flat-down-flat
box, which would you go with?
J: The 20 foot jump and the flat-down-on-my-face box!
K: I think I could rock both and then get Jan's googles from down the mountain.
Somewhere you're dying to snowboard but haven't yet?
K: Never been to tahoe, but I am going this year- I can't wait!
J: The Italian alps, New Zealand, Argentina... And sand boarding in
South Africa!
Mittens or Gloves?
K: Gloves, my fingers don't get along.
J: Mittens, in fact my nickname is j mittens.
What about if I was attacking you with nunchucks?
J: In that case, can I change my answer to gloves?
K: Must I remind you again about our ninja skills
I hear you guys are New Yorkers. Do you talk loudly on cell phones
while you're riding lifts?
K: I am actually a phithydelphian, but, yes, guilty as charged.
J: Yeah, we make all our business calls on the gondola
Read about other Women in the Indsutry.
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