Working in your passion

We’re always impressed when we run into people who’ve managed to build a career around their passion. On a recent ski trip to Mammoth, we tried out Black Tie Ski Rental Delivery, a concierge ski rental service. Black Tie takes reservations for outfitting their customers with ski equipment at the time and place of the customer’s choosing. In our case, it was during breakfast at our condo.

Drop off

The employees that showed up to set up our rentals were enthusiastic about their job and were more than willing to talk about how much they loved the customer service side of what they do.

Intrigued by the business model, we were able to meet up with Jeremy Goico, who along with Colin Fernie, owns the Mammoth Mountain Black Tie business.  Jeremy is from West Hartford, CT and Colin is from Columbus, OH and both are only 28, a young age for ski industry entrepreneurs. They met while playing soccer at The University of Rochester and ended up heading to Steamboat Springs, CO after graduation. Rather than pursue 9-5 jobs, they followed their passion for skiing by seeking employment at the original Black Tie business.

By being excellent at their work for three ski seasons, easier when following a passion, they were asked by Black Tie’s CEO’s, Joe Sternberg and Ian Pritchard, if they would open their own franchise-type operation at another resort. They wrote up a business plan and sought investment from friends and family. From a short list, they chose Mammoth and are now in their third season.

Meeting Jeremy

In Jeremy’s words, “We offer a premium service with premium equipment that we call ‘Excellence Delivered’. We took the most difficult part of a ski vacation and made it a lot easier, smoother and more enjoyable.” Being the closest major resort to Los Angeles, you can imagine that they attract their fair share of celebrities, but also the rest of us who appreciate ‘breakfast ski rental service’. No one enjoys the rental experience and Black Tie made ours easy and convenient.

They have five vans and eleven employees now and Jeremy even sits on the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating their acceptance in their adopted community.

Not willing to stand still, they are increasing their inventory, which is now over 700 pieces of ski equipment and are looking at ways to perform financial transactions ‘on the road’.  We really enjoyed the experience and the chance to see young, passionate skiers doing what they love for a living.