8 Kayak Store Success Stories [2024]
Kayaking has shown steady growth in the last decade. According to data, touring kayaks anticipate revenue growth in the coming year. The demand for kayaks is attributed to increased awareness about fitness & health. Kayaking and rafting are effective cardiovascular workouts, and people across the globe are increasingly taking an interest in these sports.
If you love watersports, you can start a kayak store. Your business can focus on renting kayaks to water sports tourists or manufacturing and selling kayaks at wholesale and retail prices.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a kayak store:
1. Oru Kayak ($4.8M/year)
Anton Willis came up with the idea for Oru Kayak while in graduate school for architecture. After reading a magazine article about origami, he had the crazy idea to make a kayak that could fold up like a piece of paper. He started with prototypes made out of printer paper and eventually launched a Kickstarter campaign that raised almost half a million dollars, making it the most successful outdoor product in the crowdfunding space.
How much they make: $4.8M/year
Current team size: 10
Oru Kayak's founder Anton Willis discusses how he turned a passion for kayaking and design into a $5 million per year business selling origami folding kayaks, discussing their launch on Kickstarter, and how they have built and retained a passionate customer base.
2. Bay Sports ($1.2M/year)
Founded by Hamish, Bay Sports started as an idea when his business partner purchased a kayak at a fraction of the price in a retail store. Recognizing the demand for affordable and high-quality water sports products, Hamish and his partner decided to launch an online store, offering a wide range of kayaks, SUP boards, and more. With the growth of online shopping and the use of platforms like Shopify, Bay Sports has become one of the largest online water sports businesses in Australia.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
Current team size: 1
Bay Sports, an online water sports business, started with just kayaks and now offers a wide range of products, able to offer competitive prices due to being primarily online, with over 70% of customers shopping on mobile devices, emphasizing the importance of a strong online presence.
So... can you actually make money with a kayak store?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. NRS
Shop raft, kayak and camping gear, SUPs, paddling apparel for men, women & kids and river supplies with the NRS Rock Solid Guarantee and Free Shipping over $75.
Where they're located: El Paso, Texas, USA
Website traffic: 350K/month
So... can you actually make money with a kayak store?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Rack Attack
Rack Attack began as a solitary store back in 1996 and has developed into North America's head retailer of vehicle rack arrangements. Starting at 2017 Rack Attack the executives have bought the organization from the first author and have more than a million happy customers. They also have 23 locations across North America to ship from, their online customers experience shipping to their door in less time, for no cost.
Where they're located: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Website traffic: 540K/month
8. Austin Kayak
Where they're located: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Website traffic: 550K/month
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
