There has to be a way that we can get the top few hundred of each sport to make a good living instead of just the top 10. It takes more than them to make the sports progression, but why is it only the top names get all the exposure and not the guy that is there every weekend working hard to make the next event. I am talking about all the action sports, just look at what it cost just to do any of the series these days. Each of these sports is getting much more exposure than ever before, but it is hard for most of the guys just to do it full time.
As far as company's go, we are in the same boat. The top ones get the best athletes because they can afford the best, not always because they helped them from the start, but they have the best distribution and that is the name of the game when it comes to selling product. We all knowconvenience is the key to sales, no matter if it is a energy drink or a tee shirt. Thus if you have the marketing dollars you can create the demand and get the distribution. It is funny how the game is, but all of us that have the passion for it don't mind digging deep every week hoping we can make a difference for ourselves and our athletes.
The worse part of the problem is no matter how hard you try to do your best, someone with the cash always has the upper hand. I know we can not do what it takes to market someone to b a super star since our budget is the size of a M & M, so when a company comes along and offers your riders more money, you can only hope theymake it to the top of the food chain. As far as athletes are concerned they have to go where the money is, since they cannot be doing this for ever. So you can't blame them, no in fact encourage them to look for the pot at the end of the rainbow.
I know Fuel has been true to the game since the beginning and truly do believe in our company and our riders. I am not sure how to fix the problem, but I know there is one. I guess on my end I just have to find the golden ticket, so that we can buy the marketing, to create the demand, to get the distribution, so we can help our athletes out the best we can. But doing all this and not getting jaded along the way is a tough balancing act, so when we get there we don?t just buy the best riders, but breed them from the start. So, if we could all support the smaller companys out there, then they could support the riders that make up the rest of the rest.
I know this is no easy task, since I have been pushing Fuel for 15 years and without the big distribution, we are just stuck in a catch 22. Limited sales, means limited marketing, which boils down to not being able to get your team riders the exposure they need to make a living. With all due respect to our sport we all need to support the people that make it up, not just the top few that are the face of it. So next time you are in the market for some new threads, show the little guy some love, it goes farther then you will ever know.
Keep fueling the fire and I will see you somewhere, someplace, sometime.
shane
PS: Don't forget to see what the future holds for next years outer wear and let your local shop know what Fuel has going on.
We put up both new gloves and all the color choices of jackets and pants too, so you can start to plan for next years get up.
http://www.fuelclothing.com/sneakypeek/
New Products: Here is where we show you the latest products Fuel has to offer.? Go to the site to see all the color ways and loads of other styles.
These shirts are in production now and will also be offered in Polos, Long sleeves and Hoodies.
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