GIMMI, EQUIPMENT, SPONSOR

I get asked 3 questions ALL the time. So, i decided to answer them all on here. So, next time i get one of these questions i can send them directly to my blog. This isn't too serious, so don't get all grumpy on me.


GIMMI- Ok, something I learned quite quickly after I got my first major sponsor was instantly everyone thinks you have an endless supply of equipment(that's not true by the way). And tho most people ask you jokingly, you tend to get asked atleast 30times a day if you can give some piece of equipment away. Here lies the problem. I can't give stuff away. This is kinda how it works. Company gives sponsored athelete equipment. People see that equipment. People buy that equipment. Unfortunaly I can't give all my friends stuff, or my sponsor wouldn't do very good business. I'd get fired. Then i'd be asking everyone else that was sponsored for stuff(hmm I think I understand now). Basically the moral is.. I'd love to give you all stuff, I just can't.

Equipment- Next question I always get is, "What do you think about this brand of equipment?" First thing to point out is, I've skated for Luigino for 4yrs. I haven't worn any kind of equipment other than than what we have. So instantly any opinion of something else, is just going off what I see. Second everyone is gonna feel things a little bit differently. So, what works for me might not work for you. And when it comes to other brands I think from now on I'm just going to respond with, "I haven't skated on them." True story last year someone asked me about another brand of wheels at a meet. I gave an honest answer as to what i saw.... "They're not even close." And from what I had seen I was right. And if anyone else is 100% honest they prolly woulda said the same thing at that meet. Next thing i know people are quoting me saying I don't know what I'm talking about. Prety soon i think people figured out I was right, so I guess I'm not that big of an idiot. People also like to say, you just say this or that b/c your sponsered by Luigino. However, if I wan't 100% sure that Luigino was capable of putting me on equipment that was the best out there, I wouldn't skate for them. Moral of this story is... Ask this question all you want, but don't turn around and doubt what I say b/c I give the obvious answer.

SPONSOR- "How do I get a sponsor?" Man I get this one all the time. I wish I could tell you an easy 3 step way to get a sponsor. There's really just no formula for it. But there are a few things I want to point out. The main thing that people think(kids especially) is that the main reason a company will sponsor someone is b/c they're fast. Sure a company wants to have the fastest team, but winning races doesn't keep companies in business, selling stuff does. That's what makes this question so hard to answer, b/c you don't get a sponsor just b/c you win this race or the other. I think the best way to get picked up is to go to as many races as you can, do well, and actually get out and talk to people. This is a pretty small sport, so you should pretty much know who the right people to talk to are. **DON'T CONFUSE TALKING AND NAGGING** I know it sucks that it's not cut and dry, if your this fast you get this sponsor. But if you want to get a sponsor in the US you have to know the right people. If your entirely too shy to talk to someone, ask your coach to do it for you. And another thing... Just b/c someone offers you a sponsorship, doesn't exactally mean it will be good for you. Make sure you think to the future before you jump on some team. So, if company X offers you a sponsorship, but you hate their equipment, and you still have to pay for most of your stuff; is it really going to be worth it? Just make sure the company sponsoring you isn't the only one benifiting. And please; when you get a sponsor, don't stop working. Your goal shouldn't be to get sponsored. Your goal should be something along the lines of getting as fast as you can, and having fun. Moral of this... A sponsor is a symbol of success. A lot of people mistake symbols of success for actual success. If you only skate to get a sponsor, your prolly in it for the wrong reasons.(but I hope anyone reading my blog who wants a sponsor gets one).

"That's all i got to say about that"... Hope you guys enjoyed. And I know I promised the 2nd part of Mantia's interview. It's coming soon.

P.S. Linda if your reading this I tried to capatilize all the I's, but i'm certin to have missed at least one.(Yes I know)