Interview with Teenage Snowboard Entrepreneur Bennet
Greene
by Lauren Traub Teton
posted 10/3/05
You are a 17-year old with a snowboard company,
correct?
I don't really think of age as an issues however, I feel that if someone
can get the job done, and make whoever they are doing that job for happy,
then who they are or how old they are plays no part.
How and when did you come up with the idea?
It was started about a year and a half ago when I wanted some way to keep
in touch with my friends from Boulder, Colorado. The company is located in
Boulder, CO. That's where I'm from, but I'm living in the Northeast now.
How does this business help you keep in touch
with your friends?
 My closest friends all work for me. So whenever we have boards that need
testing or trade shows we can all take a trip together. These things happen
much more often than school breaks so we get to see each other on work trips
and school breaks. It works out nicely.
How did you get it all going?
We started by thinking of a name, MooCow came naturally because we are
weird. After that we continued by getting trade marks and such for logos and
the name. After all that we registered to get into the SIA show and went to
it. Since then we have just been organizing for the season and the trade
show.
How is your business financed - where did you
get the money?
We have a private loan contract that is very flexible to our needs.
How and why did you come up with the cow concept
for the name?
Cows have always been something my friends and I have thought were funny.
When thinking of a name it was just the first thing that came to mind. We
strive for the funny because thatıs what we like to think we know.
What's different about your boards?
Our boards have many qualities that others do and don't have. Besides the
normal qualities a good board would have, we have such things as modified
wood cores to make the boards lighter and have great flex. Our graphics are
also different than any other company out there. (Check out the site at
http://www.moocowboards.com)
How are they distributed?
Our boards are shipped directly from the manufacturer to arrive when ever
the shop needs them. All of our boards are waiting partially made so that
they can be distributed as soon as needed.
How do you go to school and run your business?
I have worked out my schedule so that I leave the school by a certain
time every day which makes sure I have time for everything. Also most of the
people I work with are either in Colorado or California, a two or three
hours earlier than me. This makes for extra time for me to get things done
cause work doesn't start till after lunch.
Are you profitable, or when do you expect to be?
Because almost all of our employees are friends of mine and are still in
school, all of the money that is made goes back into the company. So to be
honest we really don't know or care a whole lot about where we are
financially as long as we can keep making our product.
Will you have a snowboard team this season?
We would like to have a snowboarding team as soon as possible but there
has to be a screening process. We also need to figure out how much we want
to give toward a team financially.
Or sponsor any events?
We sponsor Windells, a snowboarding camp in MT. Hood, Oregon. It is an
amazing place that all sorts of different levels of snowboarders go to, from
beginners to pros. Their park is amazing and the people there are very nice.
We also sponsored a school fundraiser for hurricane relief. Right now that
has been the only things we've done.
Who do you admire in the world of snowboarding?
There are so many people who I've met and adore, or who I would like to
meet. Some of my favorite pros are both the Jeremy Jones and Matt Hammer.
That is just to name a couple of the large number I would be stoked to meet.
Shout outs?
To anyone who knows me Moo.
(ed.) Read
Bennet's profile on SnowboardProfiles.com
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