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Veterans Day Entrepreneur Spotlight: Rob Levin and WickedShot.com
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www.WickedShot.com
For a special Veterans Day Entrepreneur Spotlight, I spoke with Rob Levin, former U.S. Marine and founder of WickedShot.com, an e-commerce site where ice hockey players can purchase sticks, skates, goalie gear, and more. For Rob, starting WickedShot.com was both a learning exercise in e-commerce and an extension of his own passion (Rob is a goalie). It was also an experience in which his military training proved invaluable.
Below, Rob explains how he chose to serve his country, why he started WickedShot.com and how his military training shaped his approach to doing business.
SD: How did you decide to join the Marines?
RL: I decided to serve for several reasons. As I neared my college graduation I was not ready to get a "regular" job. I was starving for a challenge that was beyond anything I had ever done before. I found school boring and the thought of going to grad school at the time was not something I was looking forward to. During the summer before my senior year I happened to meet a new lieutenant who had just graduated from basic training, and everything he told me about his experiences sounded perfect. He said it was the toughest thing he'd ever done, and I was sold. I went to the recruiting office and the rest is history.
SD: For how long and in what parts of the world did you serve?
RL: After graduating from SUNY Stony Brook I joined the Marine Corps in 1999. After basic training and warfighting school in Quantico, VA, I was stationed on Camp Pendleton in Oceanside California. After 9/11 I deployed to Europe as part of Task Force Viking, a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003 I was then relocated to Buffalo, NY where I was an officer recruiter. I traveled to 14 different colleges and universities in Western New York recruiting students to be Marine Corps officers. In 2006 I left the service as a Captain due to an injury.
SD: What did you take away from your experience?
RL: The Corps did a lot for me and I really miss a lot of things like the camaraderie and can do attitude that everyone has in the Corps. It's certainly not like that in the civilian world.
SD: Why did you decide to start WickedShot.com?
RL: I started it so I could learn more about how to design, create, and run an e-commerce website. I had started a new job in online marketing but didn't have as much knowledge as I would have liked. I figured the best way to learn quickly was to put my own money and time on the table. I chose hockey gear because I'm passionate about the sport and play as much as I can.
I also wanted to give some relief to parents who are spending a fortune on hockey equipment for their kids who just grow out of the gear after a short time anyway. Since I'm a goalie I'm wearing about $3,000 [of equipment] every time I suit up for a game, so I know first hand how much it can be to outfit a player. We've got a special section of gear for folks who are looking for quality ice hockey gear at a lower price.
SD: What, if anything, did you learn in the Marines that has helped you with this venture and in the business world in general?
RL: The Marine Corps changed my life forever in so many ways as it does for everyone I'm sure. First and foremost the Corps gives you the attitude that there isn't anything that can't be overcome. I've had several issues with the site where I really had no clue whatsoever how to solve them, but was very diligent about finding a solution. I spent hours upon hours doing research and learned how to code web pages.
I think the experiences I've had were the difference between giving up and realizing that failure is not an option. Secondly the ability to make rational and quick decisions under extreme pressure is a trait that is invaluable and is inculcated by the Marine Corps. You won't always have perfect information in the business world but you have to make a decision anyway and sometimes you'll have to make it very quickly. This trait in particular really sets us apart from many non-veterans.
SD: Do you have any advice for other veterans who are thinking about starting a business?
RL: Rely on your military training and be sure to use it. Do your research on your business, competitors, the business climate and your target customers just as diligently as if you were creating a battle plan. Veterans should also realize that they have a lot of skills that set them far apart from non-veterans and that their chances of success can be higher as a result. Maintain that level of confidence and never see failure as an option.
Visit WickedShot.com to shop a wide range of hockey equipment from a variety of leading brands. WickedShot.com is currently offering free shipping on all equipment!
Many thanks to Rob Levin for providing this interview. Infinite thanks also to Rob and all veterans for their tremendous service to this country.
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