The Company
The company started in 2008 with $420 cash on hand, a litany of tools and supplies from a life long career in snowboard/monoski manufacturing, and the materials to make one trailer. Once Jael and I fabricated the trailer, along with my daughter we went to the DMV, registered it, and set up the interior for Noa’s home schooling, Jael’s silver smithing and myself for building skis. I created a basic web site, and set up at chair two parking lot in Mammoth. For six weeks, Noa and I would drive first thing in the morning, set up the trailer and introduce ourselves to skiers. I offered a free wax and a tune. My first skis were rudimentary. I had to figure out how to design and build skis in a trailer with no budget.I wasted time on TGR, then realized I was in no position to deal with people who act in a heard. Ended up getting hundreds of orders from one person following the next, then in mutual disgust, I cancelled their orders. It turns out, less than 5 percent of our client base spends time on social ski sites. So after my initial foray and literal pissing off of so many that do, some are still driven to post criticism when they have an audience.
Lesson learned: I acted arrogantly, was misleading, and was angry with people I perceived to be mediocre. I’ve taken a deep breath and learned to be more understanding, more upfront. It’s also been nice recognizing the root cause of my anger. Outcome, I’m a better father, learning to be a better husband, and piss way fewer people off.
After one year of learning and progress, I brought on a business manager. Kristin drove from Colorado and we set about realizing the potential of 333. We established the bases for an apprenticeship program, continued to improve the ski itself, refined the order process, started to take on more orders and created the groundwork for Open Source Manufacturing.
We have continued to build a client base with individuals who understand and support 333. All our work combined has allowed us to establish the tooling and technology to build world-class skis in a trailer made from reclaimed materials. Their patience along with my wife's, daughter's, has made possible the re launch of 333 with a brand new website, 2nd generation high performance/high finish quality skis, and a more effective apprenticeship program.
Thank you for your interest and support.
