Sharpulance: A Mobile Skate Sharpening Fundraiser

March 10, 2023 Update:

I am currently working with representatives in Ukraine who are in charge of promoting ice sports in the war ravaged nation of Ukraine. My goal is to utilize this campaign to raise funds to help restore access to ice facilities and equipment in parts of Ukraine.

100% of the funds raised beyond my needs to establish my mobile sharpening, will be donated to the cause!!!

Additionally, I am in conversation with a local Ukrainian logistics/shipping firm in establishing a donation hub for sports (not just ice hockey/figure skating) equipment, or any other goods necessary to improving the lives of Ukrainians.

The funds and equipment collected, will be donated directly to the people running the sports organizations.

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Hello there!! Some of you may already know me, and some of you I hope to meet very soon!! My name is Alex S., and for the last 27 years, I have been sharpening skates either in pro shops all over New Jersey, or out of my home since 2016. Needless to say, I have ground a lot of steel (well over 100,000 pairs in my estimate)!!

In the last year, I have seen a dramatic increase in demand for my services and expertise, especially in the last 4 months. Every day I have more new customers reach out to me, but NOT all of them are able to find me, as currently my little "shop" isn't really a shop, but just me grinding away in the basement of my townhouse. And let's be honest, it can be a little uncomfortable welcoming customers into your home, especially when perhaps the sink is still full of dishes, or the kids' shoes, coats, and backpacks are blocking the front door!!! Girls!!

As such, it is now my focus to establish a more visible presence to exponentially grow my clientele base! My intention is to invest in a mobile unit, either a high-roof (Sprinter) work van, or a decommissioned ambulance (thus the title "Sharp-ulance") to take my tools and machines out of the basement and to the next (street) level!!! I think I prefer the ambulance as my platform of choice.

1. Since I already own the essential machinery necessary for skate sharpening and repair service, my first step after the acquisition of the selected vehicle would be to make any necessary modifications to it and get straight to work!

2. Design and apply a vinyl wrap to make this ride look super sweet!!! Using my current logo, and business name (Player's Choice Pro Shop) Below are some quick "sketches" I have recently done:

I also offer custom jersey/uniform design and production!!! As well as custom helmet stickers.

3. Invest in additional sharpening machines to expand the menu of services: Profiling, polishing, Flat Bottom V, and others.

4. Outfit the mobile shop with necessities like skate laces, blade guards, tape, mouth guards, and other accessories yet to be thought of.

5. Once the rig is wrapped and outfitted with all the necessities, it's home will be a highly visible parking lot on a very busy thoroughfare next to my house. No longer will potential customers wonder where I am, now they will see a way awesome looking..."SHARP-ULANCE"!!!! and know that their skates will be well taken care of.

But...

6. It's a truck (van...whatever)! It doesn't just stand there parked! This baby will take to the road, along the streets and highways of Jersey!! I will coordinate with individuals, teams and organizations for weekend tournaments, or with rinks (that no longer have pro shops), and sharpen their fleets of rental skates. I will bring my services directly to them all, on-demand, or by a set schedule.

7. Create a website (and eventually a mobile app) that would outline available services and pricing, as well as allow appointment booking, and give real-time GPS tracking of where the "Sharp-ulance" is at any given moment!

I truly believe that by taking this next step, I will provide a superior service to an ever greater number of skating individuals: hockey players, figure skaters, recreational, and occasional skaters...

...I will sharpen their competitive edge!!

You can find and follow me on the following social media platforms:

Facebook

Instagram

Google

Sharpulance.com (coming soon!!)

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FUNDRAISING PART 1: Purchase Vehicle - (up to) $10,000 + GoFundMe fees

I already have a few nice choices I've looked at, but I haven't settled on one just yet!!

FUNDRAISING PART 2: Design and Wrap - (up to) $6,000 + GoFundMe fees

I have received a few quotes for a vinyl wrap, and the average price has been between $5,000 and $7,000. That all depends on how wild I want to go with the materials.

FUNDRAISING PART 3: Additional Tools/Machines - $4,000 + GoFundMe fees

While I already have a few key tools and a workhorse of a machine, adding some very specialized ones will really set me apart from the competition. 

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Lastly, I would like to add that I am a seasoned master of the craft. I am passionate about what I do and take pride in the results I produce. I feel overwhelming joy and gratitude knowing that I have provided my customers with a far superior sharpening than just about anywhere else in the state of New Jersey. I care about EVERY SINGLE blade that passes through my hands. I am NOT an automated machine that doesn't feel (the finest aspects of sharpening) or care. I am NOT some fresh youngster placed in front of a machine last week, only to be gone the next. I am NOT some big-box store that thinks they are the ONLY option, but produces inferior quality.

I am here for you! Hopefully soon, a more convenient me as well!! 

#sharpulance #mobileskatesharpening #skatesharpening #ssu #pcps #icehockeyinnj #equipmentrepair #figureskating #figureskates