In this episode of Building Success Stories, I sit down with Felicia Lynn, the owner of Hometown Board Shop. Felicia shares her journey from professional ski and snowboard coach to opening a premier winter-sports and cycling hub in Queensbury, NY.
Felicia discusses the “long game” of entrepreneurship—revealing that while her shop officially launched recently, the concept has been brewing since a high school business class assignment. This conversation explores the realities of scaling a business, the importance of mentorship, and how to successfully pivot from a seasonal winter focus to a year-round community resource.
(And if you find this episode interesting, make sure to subscribe to the Success Stories Newsletter to get information on the next two episodes where I interview two of the region’s winter sports legends mentioned in this episode — Jack Hay of Alpine Sports Shop in Saratoga and John Jacobs of Reliable Racing!)
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Local Community: Felicia emphasizes that a shop is more than a retail space; it’s a hub for education, training, and connecting enthusiasts across generations.
- Embracing Mentorship: Even with a lifetime of industry experience, Felicia credits programs like SCORE and personal mentors for helping her navigate the intimidating financial hurdles of starting up.
- Seasonal Adaptation: Learn how Felicia transitioned the business from strictly “boards” to a year-round operation by integrating bicycles and e-bikes to bridge the gap between winter seasons.
- The “CEO Rewire”: Felicia shares how her mindset shifted in just six months—from being intimidated by $20,000 loans to confidently managing million-dollar growth strategies.
- Family & Staff Support: A look at the “hidden” success factors: hiring the right technical experts and leaning on family support (including her mom at the front desk!) to create a welcoming atmosphere.
More Information
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