Today we’d like to introduce you to Paxson Woelber
Hi Paxson, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was hooked on Nordic skating from the moment I tried it. Even after growing up in Alaska, I had no idea that ice skates could be so warm, comfortable, fast, and fun! Nordic skating, which is oriented around skating outdoors on natural “wild” ice, completely changed my perspective on winter recreation. Alaska’s frozen waterways (lakes, sloughs, glacial lagoons, etc.) become a surreal playground when they freeze. There’s nothing like skiing up into the mountains with your friends and skating A-grade ice under a rippling green aurora. Of course, because they’re so comfy, Nordic skates are the perfect tool for doing lazy laps around the local pond, too. They’re very versatile.
As I got more into Nordic skating, I became curious about whether we could manufacture Nordic skates here in Alaska, rather than relying on imported products. It took a while to figure everything out, especially because this was my first go at running a sizable product-based business. Finding good partners to work with was especially challenging, as we don’t have a large population or manufacturing base here. But once I got linked up with the right individuals and businesses, everything fell into place. The products that we produce reflect a lot of talent and hard work by a number of people in our community.
I’m really proud of the products that Ermine Skate produces. Our signature A-series skates are built super solid, and they have a wider blade that has better “flotation” on soft natural ice than narrower blades. They look really sharp, too, since we top-of-the-line finishes. Skaters really do notice the difference, and our skates have developed kind of a cult following of folks who understand and appreciate what we’re doing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are many struggles with running a product-based business. Some of them you can anticipate, but some really blindside you. For example, one time a box of Swedish equipment that Ermine ordered got smashed up in a shipping facility in Germany, and arrived at our shop in Alaska full of German car parts! A lot of running a business is just constantly solving novel problems. It can be tiring, but it does make life interesting and over time you learn to become a more effective generalist problem-solver.
Of course, there are persistent structural problems that small businesses like ours deal with too. Finding secure, affordable shop space in Anchorage has been difficult, and as we’ve grown we’ve had to move several times. We are currently transitioning to new space for the 2024/25 season that I hope will make life a little easier (fingers crossed!). Anchorage also has an archaic tax structure that discourages manufacturing. That is possible to fix, but it will probably require advocacy by a group of small businesses.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have an academic and professional background in art and design, and the aesthetics of our product are important to me. Our standard A-series skates use a ceramic coating that is both super high-performing and also super attractive. It’s totally different from everything else on the market. For one limited edition skate run, we created a blended custom ceramic coating with the color and sparkle of Alaska’s famous Kenai river. We’ve also worked with a Colorado-based anodizing artist to create some truly wild limited edition skates. Our last limited edition anodized skate faded from pink to purple (or vice versa), with contrasting splashes. It was a hit and the run sold out quickly.
What were you like growing up?
Like most kids, growing up I had periods where I was more introverted or more extroverted. I always loved creative pursuits, though, and spent a lot of time reading, writing, and drawing. I was also lucky to grow up in Alaska, where we were constantly exploring and playing in the outdoors. Many of my formative memories are of canoeing, climbing mountains, running into bears, camping, biking around Anchorage on BMX bikes, and hiking. Thinking back on this, it makes perfect sense that I would end up in a creative role in the outdoor industry.
I was also lucky to have a supportive family and lots of adventurous friends/accomplices. I know it’s one of those trite things everyone says, but it really is the case that nobody accomplishes anything on their own.
Pricing:
- Ermine A110 skates – $235
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ermineskate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ermineskate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ermineskate
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmW7XXySYJjH5nyBmKcq9oQ
Image Credits
Photos courtesy Paxson Woelber, Ermine Skate