Entrepreneurs give BYOBiz students exclusive insights

Student executives of Champlain’s BYOBiz companies got a rare “insiders” look at the outdoor sports equipment and apparel industry during two recent workshops.  First, BYOBiz students were invited to one of Scott Rieley’s Alpine Shop locations.  Scott is one of the leading outdoor sports retailers in the Northeast and a member of the BYOBiz Advisory Committee.  During the two-hour session, Scott led a lively discussion of today’s retailing environment, explaining how retailers go about making buying and merchandising decisions in this highly competitive market.  Scott offered advice on how the student entrepreneurs could improve their distribution in the retail channel.

A week later, BYOBiz student executives attended another workshop featuring David Provost, former Executive Vice President of Skis Dynastar USA, Inc., the North American distributor of Dynastar skis, Lange ski boots and other leading winter sports brands.  Dave, who currently serves as Champlain’s Vice President of Finance and Administration, offered an unvarnished view of the challenges facing marketers in the industry and offered many valuable insights into the industry structure and how best to expand distribution.

Discussing sports apparel merchandising at the Alpine Shop are
(from left) Robert Bloch (BYOBiz director), Avi Kommel ‘11 (Antics Designs, Inc.),
Joe Mester ’11 (Ghost Productions, Inc.), James Lennon ’09 (Imag3, Inc.)
and Scott Rieley (Alpine Shop).

Scott Rieley discusses some of the features of this season’s
new hoodies with BYOBiz student executive James Lennon ’09.