Bergland teen starts skateboarding business It’s been a great ride so far, selling out his first shipment quickly

Ken Johnston
Editor

Skateboarding has reached new popularity heights in recent years and that fact is evident on the streets of Rainy River and its neighbours.
Capitalizing on the popularity of the sport, Austin Hatch, 15, of Bergland has opened a new business in the area. Candyshop Skates, derives its name from his mother’s former business Erin’s Candy, but has nothing to do with candy. In fact it is all about skateboarding and being the only supplier of equipment for skaters in the Rainy River catchment area.
Hatch, who has been skating for two years now, said every time he turned around he heard kids saying, “I need a new board, new wheels, new trucks.” With no where to get parts locally he decided there was an opportunity he could not pass up.
Hatch applied for a grant under the Summer Company program offered through the Ontario Government Young Entrepreneur Strategy, which is administered by the Northwest Business Centre. He was one of nine students in the region selected to receive $1,500 in start up assistance and once he has completed his “Summer Company” and returns to school will receive another $1,500.
His foresight into the need for Candyshop in the area has paid off. Within a few weeks he sold all of his supplies and is now currently restocking his inventory. “I had 11 boards and sold all of them,” said Hatch Thursday. He even has another dealer, from Fort Frances, buying from him as Hatch has established U.S. supply connections and can sell brands not available in Canada. He said the average cost of a board (deck) is about $60.
Standard decks are 7.5 inches wide and 30-33 inches long. However, there are other sizes which some skaters prefer. “There are long boards and really skinny ones too,” said Hatch. “I skate on a 7.5” by 33” board.”
While it is referred to as a summer company, Hatch sees business continuing beyond September. “A lot of skaters continue skating in the winter in their basements or garages.” So a need for supplies may still be there.
Hatch operates his business out of the Beauty Chalet building in west Rainy River where his buddies Jordan and Brady Jenson live and skate year round. They have constructed two ramps indoors there.
In addition to selling products, Hatch is also offering skateboarding lessons to the public. “It is mostly the beginners that want lessons,” he noted.
As part of the assistance he received, he also gets about 12 hours of business training as well as makes personal connections with a business mentor.
Mike Greaves of Skateanyone in Kenora has been helping Austin out and through the mentoring he learned that Kenora was planning to sell their old skate park ramps. Austin solicited some support in Bergland and later this week the eight piece Kenora park will be moved to Bergland where it will be set up on the out door rink surface. “There are a few quarter pipes and a pyramid. I am really excited about it.”
On the side Hatch, along with fellow skaters Brady and Jordan Jenson recently competed in a competition in Baudette. Unfortunately for Hatch he broke his trucks on his board but the Jenson’s competed and Brady earned a 3rd place.
Hatch is hoping to team up with Fort Frances skateboard shop owner Wade Friesen and co-host a competition later this summer.