ORSM '12 New Exhibitors Preview: Spooner, Inc.
SNEWS highlights some new exhibitors at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012 trade show. Check out Spooner, Inc.'s story and swing by its booth if you're at the show.
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Spooner, Inc.
www.spoonerboards.com / Reuben Guymer, general manager, vice president of sales / #PV441 / Founded 2008
Reuben Guymer on Spooner: “The Spooner is our original product. It’s the Ultimate Fun Board that makes it easy to learn skateboarding surfing, and snowboarding techniques all year round! Improves core strength and stability, leg strength, balance, coordination and gross-motor skills. Use the Spooner anywhere inside or out! The latest product is the Yardboard, which is an all terrain board for sliding on dirt, grass, and snow! With The Yardboard you are not strapped in, but the rope handle gives you great control. All products are made in San Diego.”
Tell us about your brands and products?
After receiving multiple awards in 2011 the Spooner became a best seller in over 1,200 specialty toy stores. In February, 2012 we introduced the Yardboard and it has been a blast promoting it. Our yardboard slogan is “Surf the Earth” and that is what we do. Dirt, grass, sand and snow: It’s all good!
What were you, as the founder of the company, doing before this?
There are three partners in the Spooner company. We all surf and live in San Diego. Randy Putland invents our products, he owns a surf shop in Old Town, San Diego. In the back of his shop is where the Spooner was born. Bernie Miller is the other founder, he was a fitness trainer and a stunt man before the Spooner company. He was also the No. 1 contender for American Gladiators. Myself, Reuben Guymer came over from Australia as a carpenter. After demoing all Christmas at a kiosk Bernie and Randy brought me on as a partner and I am now the sales and marketing director.
Where did your inspiration come from?
The inspiration for the Spooner came from a dog igloo in the back of The Old Town Surf Shop. When Randy was cutting it up to throw it away the shape of the Spooner was created. After trying to make it a skateboard deck, the kids in the store decided it would be better without the wheels!
What’s the one best feature of your product?
The best feature of our products is that they get kids moving, are guaranted for life and are made in America.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge in the beginning was getting sales with a very limited budget, our biggest challenge now is managing growth.
Why are you at Outdoor Retailer?
We are at OR because we believe our products are an excellent fit for this market. We are excited to meet new retailers and see what it’s all about.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
I’ve always liked the Sector 9 story, those guys are from our town and they did a great job building their brand.
Who do you want to compete against in the industry?
I don’t believe that we compete with anyone in the industry. Our products are very unique.
