Presenting: Edge Wise Sport Supply
Business
Edge Wise Sports Supply
5106-D Waukomis Drive
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-587-2SK8 (2758)
There’s a new sport in Kansas City that is gaining some speed – and it’s ice skating. Fresh off the Olympics and the buzz from Kansas City’s hockey team, the Mavericks, ice skating is making a comeback and the person on the frontlines promoting this sport is Stephanie Brizendine. She owns and operates Edge Wise Sport Supply, a Kansas City full-service pro skate shop located in the Northland.
Edge Wise gives KC residents something that has been absent from this sport – a stand-alone pro shop. Brizendine thinks her shop is more of a boutique than a pro shop by offering a number of skating accessories as well as customizing skates and apparel. Brizendine’s skate knowledge and passion comes from years of skating.
“I love introducing the joy of skating to people’s lives, especially for adults,” says Brizendine. She even turned this love into her business philosophy and that has kept her busy. Brizendine just celebrated her third anniversary at her current shop, but has been managing a pro skate shop for ten years. She currently has nine part-time employees. She started her business at a skate rink, but was limited with space and options so she opened Edge Wise.
Brizendine has plans for her shop – and hopes that Kansas City will progress as her shop does. “I would like Kansas City to become an ‘ice’ town,” says Brizendine.
St. Louis is the closest city to resemble an ‘ice’ town. There are many ice rinks in St. Louis, something that Kansas City lacks, and St. Louis has a pro hockey team. Currently, Kansas City has six rinks – four indoors and two outdoors – that supports ice skating and hockey. Brizendine thinks that Kansas City is on its way to becoming such an ‘ice’ town with the help of her store and the Mavericks’ hockey team.
Brizendine welcomes the opportunity to bring new skaters of any age into this sport, fitting them with the proper attire and equipment. She dispels any myth of weak ankles and maintains that ill-fitting skates are to blame when skaters have any discomfort. It’s her number one priority to make sure that the skates are fitted properly since this sport is driven by equipment.
“You can make it down I-70 on a bike, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The same goes for skates. You need the right fit and size,” says Brizendine. And, that’s exactly the service she offers. She has clients ranging from two to 87 years old, and they can count on getting the best fitting skate she sells. Brizendine has a number of skates in her shop, but also accepts customized orders.
Brizendine doesn’t just sell ice skates and accessories. She has also ventured into a new sport that has gained some traction in Kansas City: Roller Derby. Since the skate manufacturers are the same, it made sense to offer both types of skates. Her business is also a sponsor of the Kansas City Roller Warriors.
Like other small businesses, Brizendine uses social networking to market her shop. Through Facebook, Brizendine updates the fans about the special events happening at the store and was an avid commenter for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Edge Wise delivers a service to skaters, whether they are new to the sport or seasoned veterans returning.
Laci Wright is a freelance writer and interactive marketer. She has a background in television journalism and worked as a morning producer for KMBC. She is an interactive content developer for PlattForm Ad, a Kansas City-based advertising firm specializing in higher education.
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