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Mantis Skis needs the help of EpicSki community members!

post #1 of 32
6/22/12 at 9:06am
Thread Starter 

What's up Epic Ski crew? I have been starting a new ski manufacturing company over the past 3 years in Frederick, MD. The name of my company is Mantis Skis. I hope you guys get just as stoked as we do at the opportunity to get some new skis on the market and hopefully at better prices than the competitors. I need some support from the EpicSki crew. We just entered for a small business grant for $250,000 from LivingSocial and Chase Bank @ www.missionsmallbusiness.com . We need at least 250 votes to be considered for the interview process to earn the grant. Steve Case from AOL, The prez. of Chase Bank, The Prez. of LivingSocial and 3 others will get together to look at our company and decide if they will give us the funds to start up the biz. We have been trying to get with Never Summer to build our planks based off our prototypes which I think most of you guys will like. We haven't had a great deal of success in landing a manufacturer, but money talks and bullshit walks. So here is the deal. Hit us up with a vote on www.missionsmallbusiness.com and search Mantis Skis. Then click the vote button. You have to use your Facebook account to login and then you can share your vote on your wall with friends. If you guys do this we would be stoked beyond belief. We are starting to gain some attention at the local resorts and would love to be able to get our planks mass produced for consumption for the 2013-2014 season. Check us out on facebook or twitter. We also have a webiste functioning now. www.mantisskis.com
www.facebook.com/mantisskis  and www..twitter.com/mantisskis.

Thanks to all who took the time to read through all this BS. I hate asking for help and soliciting other skiers, but I need my community to help me out and keep our fingers crossed we get this grant money!

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post #2 of 32
6/22/12 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 

Also sorry for spelling community wrong in my thread subject line. Does anyone else hate their iphone as much as I do? The iphone helps me so much, but those tiny little letters with my big ape fingers are killing my posts. Thanks again for the votes ladies and gents!
 

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post #3 of 32
6/23/12 at 3:07am

I have voted -- good luck!

 

Your Mantis logo is pretty cool.

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post #4 of 32
6/24/12 at 7:44am

I voted too. 

 

It's a tough business to break into.  Even though my loyalty is with another brand, I wish you luck.  It's an admirable dream.

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post #5 of 32
6/24/12 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the votes and for the props. Loyalty to a brand is a good thing. Many great skis out there. Nice to feel the love though from fellow skiers. Thanks so much guys!
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post #6 of 32
6/24/12 at 7:15pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the votes and for the props. Loyalty to a brand is a good thing. Many great skis out there. Nice to feel the love though from fellow skiers. Thanks so much guys!
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post #7 of 32
6/24/12 at 7:54pm

Done. Best of luck.

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post #8 of 32
6/25/12 at 11:17am

Done, best of luck!

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post #9 of 32
6/25/12 at 3:12pm

Voted - gl Jamie

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post #10 of 32
6/25/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks again to those who continue to vote for us off of this thread. Very happy to have people wishing us the best. It's a great feeling to have the positive vibes sent our way. It's a hard industry to crack into, but hopefully with your help we can be successful in our venture. So cool of you all.
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post #11 of 32
6/25/12 at 9:52pm

June 26, 2012

 

Hi Jamie:

 

Being local to you, I've voted. (Have had Ski Liberty Season Passes since 1986).  Are you going to be represented by "Under the Sun" in Frederick MD?  Have you tried discussing your venture with Brian Eardly at the Ski Center, Washington DC? 

 

Best of luck.

 

Think snow,

 

CP

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post #12 of 32
6/25/12 at 10:29pm

I voted.

Good luck.

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post #13 of 32
6/26/12 at 7:08am

I sent a PM, but just to cover all bases -- Jamie, if you could send me a jpg image of a prototype ski I would feature this thread on the homepage to get you more votes. 

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post #14 of 32
6/26/12 at 8:52am

Done and shared on twitter and facebook, hope you get the votes you need!

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post #15 of 32
6/26/12 at 9:44am

One good vote deserves another!

 

I had already voted for a friends business in this same thing, but it looks like they let me vote for you too.

 

JF

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post #16 of 32
6/26/12 at 12:09pm

voted...best of luck!

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post #17 of 32
6/26/12 at 12:38pm

Have you spoken with Elan about the name of your company?  They had a Mantis line of skis back in the early '00s.

 

 

I don't think Volkl or Rossignol would be too happy if you called your startup ski company Bandit or Gotama.

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post #18 of 32
6/26/12 at 1:09pm

Voted...keep your prices on the low side, your edges on the strong side and your topsheets simple and classy, they will sell.

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post #19 of 32
6/26/12 at 2:39pm

I wish I could vote.  Why does everything need a facebook account to vote, to entry to win a prize and the list goes on.  I have will not be getting an account just to vote. 

 

Good luck I hope you hit the 250 mark

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post #20 of 32
6/26/12 at 5:13pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for everything you all. I think that Élan would e fine with my use of the Mantis name. I don't think ht they can come after me for using the name of a creature. I think it would be pretty petty to go after me for that. Especially when my skis are usually being named after Frederick based things. My women's ski is going to be named the Barbara Fritskis. Next years men's ski the Francis Scott Skis. Keeping it American for sure. lol. Possibly a female youth ski named the Betski Ross's. So many funky names out there to use and yet so many sound the same. Just joking on the names, but if people like them I might see if they stick due to interest. Sounds a little gimmicky and I would rather our skis speak for themselves. Sorry that you have to be a Facebook user to vote. I think that stinks as I would have already had our tally as well. I probably wouldn't have FB either if it weren't for out of state family, updating pics of my 3 year old daughter for relatives and the marketing possibility that it offers for free. I take compliments equal to the votes and I appreciate it anytime someone even says that they like our style and skis. The one thing I aim to offer to skiers is putting a face to the brand. I really believe that the world is lacking owners of businesses that offer feedback and support to their clientel. So many times I am reminded of how customer service is handled poorly in this country turning so many good people away from future business. Hence my goal to work with local and small ski shops and be there for them for training about our skis and free delivery within my 200 mile radius. Unfortunately Under the Sun went out of business, due to lack of sales and the owners were retiring and slowing the life pace down. This guys really helped me and much respect goes out to the owners and Mike who always was willing to lend a hand when it came to tuning and tips on making our skis better. If we win we will not forget our roots and aim to offer great skis at reasonable prices made right here in the USA.
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post #21 of 32
6/26/12 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie Grose View Post

Thanks for everything you all. I think that Élan would e fine with my use of the Mantis name. I don't think ht they can come after me for using the name of a creature. I think it would be pretty petty to go after me for that. Especially when my skis are usually being named after Frederick based things. My women's ski is going to be named the Barbara Fritskis. Next years men's ski the Francis Scott Skis. Keeping it American for sure. lol. Possibly a female youth ski named the Betski Ross's. So many funky names out there to use and yet so many sound the same. Just joking on the names, but if people like them I might see if they stick due to interest. Sounds a little gimmicky and I would rather our skis speak for themselves. Sorry that you have to be a Facebook user to vote. I think that stinks as I would have already had our tally as well. I probably wouldn't have FB either if it weren't for out of state family, updating pics of my 3 year old daughter for relatives and the marketing possibility that it offers for free. I take compliments equal to the votes and I appreciate it anytime someone even says that they like our style and skis. The one thing I aim to offer to skiers is putting a face to the brand. I really believe that the world is lacking owners of businesses that offer feedback and support to their clientel. So many times I am reminded of how customer service is handled poorly in this country turning so many good people away from future business. Hence my goal to work with local and small ski shops and be there for them for training about our skis and free delivery within my 200 mile radius. Unfortunately Under the Sun went out of business, due to lack of sales and the owners were retiring and slowing the life pace down. This guys really helped me and much respect goes out to the owners and Mike who always was willing to lend a hand when it came to tuning and tips on making our skis better. If we win we will not forget our roots and aim to offer great skis at reasonable prices made right here in the USA.


You joke, but ON3P used to have a ski called the Great Scott.  Until Scott USA heard and issued them a cease and desist order. 

 

Now the ski is called the Cease and Desist.

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post #22 of 32
6/26/12 at 6:02pm

voted!  good luck

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post #23 of 32
6/27/12 at 9:51am

just voted and good luck.  I'd always like to see new ski companies out there.

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post #24 of 32
6/27/12 at 9:55am

Voted.  But:

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie Grose View Post

I think that Élan would e fine with my use of the Mantis name. I don't think ht they can come after me for using the name of a creature.

 

I think you're probably in your early 20s, and if you're going to be in business long, you need to brush up on intellectual property law.

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post #25 of 32
6/27/12 at 10:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian View Post


You joke, but ON3P used to have a ski called the Great Scott.  Until Scott USA heard and issued them a cease and desist order. 

 

Now the ski is called the Cease and Desist.


Yup, Scott USA believes they have the sole right to a common name used in relation to any product similar to what they make. This is why I will never support a company like Scott.

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post #26 of 32
6/27/12 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 

I am actually a 32 year old going on 33. I have been working for the same construction outfit since 16. 17 Years this summer. I am a construction superintendent by trade and handle projects in the range of 1 million to 50 million. I have an idea about intellectual property. It really depends on what you are trying to promote. I do not feel that anyone is going to think that Mantis Skis is linked to Elan. I was looking for a name for my company and it hit me, literally in the head when I had a giant Mantis fly right into me on my deck. I noticed over the past 3 years that I have seen a ton of Mantises in my area and I hadn't really seen any for years. That is the meaning behind the name. If someone made a ski called the cow or the horse, I highly doubt that you couldn't a company named after said animal. I would hope that Elan would have better things to do than to come after me for a name. I doubt it would get them very good public attention for coming after a American company just trying to make it.

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post #27 of 32
6/27/12 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie Grose View Post

I am actually a 32 year old going on 33. I have been working for the same construction outfit since 16. 17 Years this summer. I am a construction superintendent by trade and handle projects in the range of 1 million to 50 million. I have an idea about intellectual property. It really depends on what you are trying to promote. I do not feel that anyone is going to think that Mantis Skis is linked to Elan. I was looking for a name for my company and it hit me, literally in the head when I had a giant Mantis fly right into me on my deck. I noticed over the past 3 years that I have seen a ton of Mantises in my area and I hadn't really seen any for years. That is the meaning behind the name. If someone made a ski called the cow or the horse, I highly doubt that you couldn't a company named after said animal. I would hope that Elan would have better things to do than to come after me for a name. I doubt it would get them very good public attention for coming after a American company just trying to make it.


Maybe Elan is cooler, But "Francis Scott Ski's" probably won't make it pass Scott USA.

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post #28 of 32
6/27/12 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 

Yep. They would probably bulk at The FSK's unless I could somehow prove that it is based on a American icon. No rights these days huh? Go figure. In a world of rules and laws. Some are good and some are very bad!

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post #29 of 32
6/27/12 at 10:06pm

Done! Good luck - it's always exciting to see smaller ski companies with new ideas getting into the marketplace.

 

Since it's possible to vote for multiple businesses on the Mission: Small Business site, I'd also like to give a shout out to the fantastic folk at Peregrine Expeditions. I went on two tours with them this year as part of my first season in the backcountry, and they were fantastic. Awesome climbs, great skiing, and I learned so much. They're definitely worthy of a vote if you have a moment to spare.

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post #30 of 32
6/28/12 at 11:06am

Vote from me.  Good luck!

 

Mike

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