HELP ME PAT!!!! PLEASE?

Question
Hello Pat...  I have been agrressive inline skating for over about a year now.. People say I am very good... and I help little grommets out with beginning tricks (pumping,turning,skating backwards, spins, grabs, dropping in simple grinds, etc...) and they ask me if I'm sponsored... I am not.. and do not know how to get sponsored... If you can.. in any way shape or form get me in contact, for a even the slightest chance of gettig sponsored... some good skate brands are Rollerblade, Razors, USD, Deshi, REMZ, Salomon...

            Also...

I would love to compete in competitions, for the fun of it, and also getting "known" for a better chance of sponsorships...

THANKS!  

Answer
Hi,
  Well......as much as I hate to say it, no one with a "Name" will sponser you until "you" have a name.  Understand what I mean?   Until you are very well known in the aggressive skating world, a well known company will not invest in you.  Competition is the only way to achieve a name for yourself.  Then you have to work your way to the top.  Then and only then will a well known company sponser you and that's when they will seek you out and you won't have to go find them.  

   For now you really don't need a sponser.  And if so, what for?   Big companies won't sponser people who are not in the spotlight.

   What you could do is....enter a few competitions locally and see how you do.  If you do well, then contact some of the local businesses in your area.  Chances are they won't buy you equipment but they may sponser you with funds for your entry fees or partial travel expenses if you compete out of state.   Perhaps you could contact local sporting stores or skate shops etc.   But I wouldn't recommend doing that till after you have competed and have placed well.  Otherwise you might be opening yourself up to ridicule.

   It's great to hear you help the local kids with their skating and tricks.  If that should turn into a regular thing, you might be able to get sponsered by someone or some organization to help with any costs that it takes to teach these kids.  

   Another idea on a local level is.......if you want to teach and get paid, contact your local Park Districts.  They are always looking for teachers, coaches etc.  

   There are many different things you can do with your talent, it just depends on what your goal is.  If competing and becoming famous is your goal, then spend every waking minute making it happen.  It won't happen without dedication, practice and a lot of hard work.  At one point you too will need a coach or mentor.  Know yourself well enough to know if you have limits or if the sky is your limit.

   Good Luck to you in whatever path you take and if I can be of any further help, feel free to contact me again.

Take care
Pat