We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Penny Scallan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Penny below.

Alright, Penny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Surfboard Soks was born out of a simple observation and a passion for surfing. It all began when I noticed a gap in the market. Despite the growing number of women and girls joining the surfing community, there was a notable absence of surfboard covers designed with them in mind. Recognizing this untapped niche and with a background in design and manufacturing, I embarked on creating a brand that catered to female surfers and reflected their unique style and identity.

Drawing inspiration from California’s vibrant and diverse surfing culture, Surfboard Soks was founded with a mission to bring joy, inclusivity, and sustainability to the surfing world. The brand embraces the laid-back beach lifestyle synonymous with California while celebrating the creativity and confidence of women surfers from all walks of life.

With a commitment to environmental responsibility, Surfboard Soks set out to design and manufacture a range of surfboard covers that looked good and prioritized sustainability. By using eco-friendly materials and implementing thoughtful manufacturing practices, the brand aimed to minimize its ecological footprint and contribute positively to the health of Mother Earth.

The core function of Surfboard Soks is to protect surfboards from scratches and dings during transportation to and from the beach. Whether it’s a quick day trip or a coastal road adventure, the durable yet stylish surfboard covers ensure that surfboards remain safe and secure. Moreover, they help keep cars and vans sand-free, salt-water-free, and free from fin scratches or wax marks on the upholstery.

In addition to their protective qualities, Surfboard Soks also shield surfboards from UV damage, dust, and wax when not in use or stored on car racks. The heavy-duty cotton tufting design provides superior protection, while trendy and fashionable elements ensure that surfers can express their personal style while safeguarding their boards.

In essence, Surfboard Soks isn’t just about protecting surfboards—it’s about fostering a sense of community, empowerment, and environmental stewardship within women’s surfing. Through its products and ethos, the brand strives to inspire and engage surfers worldwide, inviting them to join a movement that celebrates diversity, creativity, and the boundless joy of riding the waves.

Were you solving a problem that no one else was solving?

Yes, I believe Surfboard Soks identified a gap in the market that wasn’t adequately addressed by existing offerings. While there were surfboard covers available, they often lacked the style and design elements that appealed to women and girls specifically. Additionally, there was a growing awareness of sustainability within the surfing community, but few options existed for eco-friendly surfboard covers tailored to women.

What got me most excited about this idea was the opportunity to not only fill a market need but also to do so in a way that aligned with their values and passions. By creating Surfboard Soks, I am able to merge the love for surfing with the desire to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and style within the sport.

The prospect of offering surfboard covers that were not only functional but also fashionable and eco-friendly was particularly thrilling. Furthermore, the chance to build a brand that resonated with the vibrant surf culture of California, while also reaching women surfers around the world, sparked immense enthusiasm.

Penny, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The journey in the fashion industry has been a fascinating one for me. It all began with my time at a fashion and design school in Sydney, Australia, where I discovered my passion for creativity. From there, I founded Penny Scallan Australia, a successful children’s accessory brand that gained recognition for its vibrant designs and high-quality products. Following the sale of this business, my path took an exciting turn with the creation of Surfboard Soks while living in California in 2019.

My love for fashion and design was nurtured during my time in growing up between Sydney and California. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for innovative designs, After having my daughter in 1994, I launched Penny Scallan Australia, specializing in children’s accessories. The brand quickly became known for its unique style and durable products.

While Penny Scallan Australia thrived, I felt compelled to explore new avenues. Leveraging my experience in design and manufacturing, I began travelling extensively in China and India sourcing manufacturing partners across multiple product categories. Most recently, I ventured into the world of surfboard covers with Surfboard Soks. Inspired by California’s beach culture and my passion for surfing, I sought to create stylish yet functional covers that catered to women surfers.

My dedication to innovation and creativity has been a driving force throughout my career. Whether designing accessories for children or crafting surfboard covers, I prioritize infusing personality and functionality into every product. It’s this commitment to blending style with practicality that sets my creations apart.

With Surfboard Soks, I aimed to address a specific need in the surfing community while upholding values of sustainability and inclusivity. By designing fashionable, eco-friendly covers tailored to women surfers, I not only offer practical solutions but also foster a sense of community and empowerment.

Among my proudest achievements is the positive impact my brands have had on families and surfers globally. Knowing that my products bring joy and convenience to children and parents, as well as protection and style to surfers, continues to fuel my passion.

To potential clients, followers, and fans, I invite you to join me on this creative journey. As an entrepreneur committed to pushing boundaries and embracing innovation, I strive to create products that reflect my passion for creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

In the early days of the internet boom in the 1990s, I found myself at the forefront of a new era of marketing innovation with Penny Scallan Australia. As one of the first to recognize the potential of the internet, I seized the opportunity to register a URL for my business, envisioning a digital presence that would help propel my brand forward.

Eager to spread the word about Penny Scallan Australia, I decided to utilize a creative yet simple marketing tactic: I adorned the back windscreen of my car with my newly acquired URL. Little did I know that this seemingly small gesture would lead to an incredible marketing breakthrough.

As I drove around town, my car became a moving billboard for Penny Scallan Australia. Passersby couldn’t help but notice the bold URL displayed prominently on the back of my vehicle. It was a subtle yet effective way to generate brand awareness and capture the attention of potential customers.

However, the real magic happened when a business television show caught sight of my car and the URL emblazoned on its windscreen. Intrigued by the innovative marketing approach, they reached out to me for an interview and feature story on the program.

I vividly remember the excitement and anticipation I felt as the cameras rolled and the interviewer delved into the story behind Penny Scallan Australia. It was a surreal moment, seeing my vision come to life on national television and sharing the journey of building my brand with a wide audience.

The interview not only provided valuable exposure for Penny Scallan Australia but also served as validation of the risks I had taken and the hard work I had put into growing my business. It was a reminder that sometimes, the simplest marketing tactics can yield the most extraordinary results.

Looking back, that moment serves as a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and seizing opportunities when they arise. It was a time when I took a risk marketing-wise, and it paid off in ways I could have never imagined. And all it took was a URL on the back windscreen of my car to set the wheels in motion for Penny Scallan Australia’s success in the digital age.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Amazon:

Pros:

Vast Customer Base: Amazon boasts a massive customer base, providing unparalleled exposure to potential buyers worldwide.
Trust and Credibility: Amazon is a trusted platform with a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. This trust can translate into increased sales and brand credibility.
Fulfillment Options: With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), we can leverage Amazon’s robust logistics network to store, pack, and ship our products, streamlining the fulfillment process.
Marketing Tools: Amazon offers various marketing tools and advertising options to help increase product visibility and drive sales.
Cons:

Competition: The sheer size of Amazon means increased competition, making it challenging to stand out among thousands of other sellers offering similar products.
Fees: Amazon charges various fees, including referral fees, fulfillment fees, and advertising fees, which can eat into our profit margins.
Limited Brand Control: On Amazon, our products are listed alongside competitors’ offerings, making it difficult to differentiate our brand and maintain control over pricing and presentation.
Etsy:

Pros:

Niche Audience: Etsy caters to a niche audience of handmade, vintage, and unique goods enthusiasts, making it an ideal platform for showcasing our creative and stylish surfboard covers.
Community Engagement: Etsy fosters a sense of community among buyers and sellers, allowing us to connect with customers who appreciate handmade and artisanal products.
Customization: Etsy offers greater flexibility in terms of customization and branding, allowing us to create a unique storefront that reflects the Surfboard Soks brand.
Lower Fees: Compared to Amazon, Etsy typically charges lower fees, making it a more cost-effective option for small businesses.
Cons:

Smaller Reach: While Etsy has a dedicated following, its customer base is smaller compared to Amazon, limiting our potential reach.
Limited Fulfillment Options: Unlike Amazon’s FBA, Etsy does not offer fulfillment services, meaning we must handle shipping and logistics independently.
Brand Visibility: Standing out among the multitude of sellers on Etsy can be challenging, requiring strategic marketing efforts to drive traffic to our storefront.
In conclusion, selling Surfboard Soks on both Amazon and Etsy offers a balance between maximizing reach and catering to niche audiences. While each platform has its own set of pros and cons, leveraging both allows us to reach a broader customer base while also engaging with enthusiasts who value handmade and unique products.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.surfboardsoks.com
• Instagram: surfboardsoks
• Facebook: surfboardsoks
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/penny-scallan-7214984a