Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Gardner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My uncle bought a small rental business in 1998 and turned it into a much better rental business renting Bikes, surfboards, in-line skates, bodyboards and wetsuits. I worked for him right out of high school in 1999 for a summer job. I kept coming back to work for him during the summers while I went to college. Then he offered me a full-time position and finally as he desired to retire he trained me in the business operations and sold me the shop in 2007. I kept his business model and simply added to it, adding more items, good brands, updated processes, etc. then we grew to 2 locations with the addition of a shop in Belmont Park known as “Mission Beach Rentals @Belmont.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We struggled with rapid growth. I had a difficult time scaling the business to meet the demands of our market. This placed us in a few precarious places financially and we had to make some tough and expensive choices as a result. 2. We struggled with unfair competition from a bike-share company obtaining a contract with the city and impeding with our business. They were given special allowances that gave them an unfair advantage that directly competed with our market and we suffered some sales losses as a result.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cheap Rentals – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our primary business is helping visitors and locals enjoy our beach area through the use of recreational equipment. This includes Bikes, surfboards, bodyboards, SUPs, kayaks, skateboards, in-line skates, etc. I am most proud of the fact that we have an important role in creating fun-filled experiences and long-lasting memories for the people that visit our beaches. We differentiate ourselves because we focus on creating an experience that is fun, relaxing, engaging, and memorable. This is different from the norm as most rental shops simply want to rent your gear.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
There are a lot of them but they often involve going around town with my friends on our bikes. I grew up in a small town in Oregon and we went everywhere on our bikes. Bikes are a great way to engage with others, explore, and transport all while getting some exercise. Who knew then what kind of impact that simple activity would have for my future of helping others do the same.
Pricing:
- Beach Cruisers, In-line skates, Skateboards – $15/day
- Surfboards – $20/day (starting)
- Stand Up Paddle Boards – $30/day (starting)
- Many more products available. Check all pricing at cheap-rentals.com
Contact Info:
- Address: 3689 Mission Blvd 92109 (Cheap Rentals)
3136 Mission Blvd 92109 (Mission Beach Rentals @Belmont) - Website: cheap-rentals.com belmont-rentals.com
- Phone: (858)488-9070
- Email: cheap@cheap-rentals.com
- Instagram: @cheaprentalssd
- Facebook: facebook.com/cheaprentals
- Twitter: @cheaprentalsmb
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cheap-rentals-mission-beach-san-diego#query:cheap%20rentals
- Other: belmont-rentals.com
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