Ghost Boards: Create Raving Product Fans

10/25/24 • 39 min

When you have a mid-life crisis, you either buy a sports car or start a longboard company.
At least that's what Russ Warner did after 29 years in a white collar job.
Russ Warner is the self-proclaimed Chief Longboarding Officer of Ghost Boards, a company he started in 2017 after stumbling upon something his neighbor made. Ghost Boards makes customizable acrylic longboards, skateboards, and electric longboards. They can be cut into almost any shape and many don LED lights.
Russ was a born manufacturer and entrepreneur. At 8 he started his own chocolate-making business. Later in the life, he started a few different businesses. Some were successful and others faded, but the bulk of his career was spent in the mortgage industry.
It wasn't until he ordered a longboard and realized how bad the quality was that he really started to pursue working with his neighbor who had created this eye-catching longboard Russ wanted to own.
After 6 years, Russ finally convinced his business partner to start making longboards with him, and the rest is history.
Ghost Boards has ten of thousands of followers on TikTok and even more on Instagram. They also make custom branded boards for businesses, which iMpact Utah has taken full advantage of.
Listen to the full episode to learn:

How Russ has organically grown his business
How knowing enough about a lot of things has helped his business get off the ground
What processes have helped Ghost Boards alleviate the challenges that come with manufacturing fully customized boards
The perks of being willing to jump into the marketing world as a founder
What gives Russ is youthful spirit and zest for life!

Head to iMpact Utah's YouTube Channel to see what Ghost Boards look like in the video recording of this episode.
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iMpact Utah is the business transformation partner for Utah manufacturers, helping small to large companies optimize performance, increase profits, and scale. iMpact is the only manufacturing consulting and training firm that guarantees results and is held accountable to making a measurable impact in Utah’s economy. Each year, iMpact Utah’s clients report hundreds of millions of dollars in new sales, retained sales, and cost savings as the result of working with the iMpact team. Manufacturers who work with iMpact receive support through boots-on-the-ground coaching, consulting, training, and residencies while also taking advantage of free tools, events, and content from subject matter experts.

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How Russ has organically grown his business
How knowing enough about a lot of things has helped his business get off the ground
What processes have helped Ghost Boards alleviate the challenges that come with manufacturing fully customized boards
The perks of being willing to jump into the marketing world as a founder
What gives Russ is youthful spirit and zest for life!

Follow iMpact Utah on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Previous Episode

Sun Print Solutions: Surviving Election Season Production

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With the presidential election quickly approaching, Sun Print Solutions in West Valley City has been ramping up to endure the most chaotic season in their business.
Sun Print is the go-to for printing and mailing of election materials, working with political teams all over the country. The average order for a political piece is 100,000 units, and some of their orders require more than $1 million in postage alone.
Jennifer Pettinger purchased Sun Print Solutions with her business partner Sara Deneau in 2019 and they've been growing ever since. Sun Print was recently awarded an SBA award as a 100% woman-owned business.
While some may argue that Sun Print is a manufacturing company, Jennifer says they absolutely are. They take clients' ideas and make them reality. They are also an essential piece to the manufacturing puzzle, making the boxes many products are packaged in. Brand packaging alone is a highly scientific manufacturing process. Matching Coca-Cola red and Vivint orange isn't as easy as one may think.
When Jennifer purchased Sun Print Solutions, she had an extensive print background. Her parents owned a print shop she ultimately took over, and then merged that business with Sun Print when it was up for sale.
In this episode, Jennifer shares how she rallies her team through busy season, tackles challenges with product quality, and works through the unique circumstances that comes with being a union printer.
Sun Print Solutions offers a variety of printing, mailing, and packaging services, including offset, digital, and lithography printing. The company also offers direct mail printing and services, including political mailings, voter outreach, and cause marketing. Check them out: https://sunprintsolutions.com/
About iMpact Utah
iMpact Utah is the business transformation partner for Utah manufacturers, helping small to large companies optimize performance, increase profits, and scale. iMpact is the only manufacturing consulting and training firm that guarantees results and is held accountable to making a measurable impact in Utah’s economy. Each year, iMpact Utah’s clients report hundreds of millions of dollars in new sales, retained sales, and cost savings as the result of working with the iMpact team. Manufacturers who work with iMpact receive support through boots-on-the-ground coaching, consulting, training, and residencies while also taking advantage of free tools, events, and content from subject matter experts. Connect with the regional director assigned to your area to access the no-cost resources that will address your company’s most pressing needs.

Follow iMpact Utah on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Next Episode

Intergalactic: Navigating Challenges in Aerospace Manufacturing

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Brad Plothow, Chief Growth Officer at Intergalactic—a leading defense and space manufacturing company in Utah, is known for their bold rebranding from "Airborne ECS" to "Intergalactic," inspired by the iconic Beastie Boys song "Intergalactic," Intergalactics forward-thinking company is not only reshaping the landscape of aerospace branding and engineering, they're an example of learning from the old in order to develop the new.

Brad shares insights into the complexities of aerospace manufacturing, including the development of advanced thermal management systems that are essential for high-stakes environments like supersonic flights, space travel, and space tourism. These custom-components represent a breakthrough into modern aerospace technology.

The episode tackles the biggest obstacles faced by aerospace startups, such as overcoming the inertia against innovation, navigating the dreaded “Valley of Death” phase, and securing consistent funding in a volatile industry. Brad highlights how Intergalactic’s creative marketing strategies, especially on LinkedIn, have driven meaningful business relationships and established a standout brand presence.

Podcast Highlights:

How innovative branding can set aerospace companies apart and drive growth
The uphill battle of turning groundbreaking ideas into scalable technologies
Strategies for surviving funding uncertainties and long development timelines
The resilience needed to thrive in aerospace, with examples like partnerships in electric air taxis and supersonic technologies
The importance of storytelling and authentic engagement in B2B marketing

This podcast is packed with lessons on creativity, strategic branding, and perseverance that resonate far beyond the aerospace sector. Learn how Intergalactic’s approach to innovation, marketing, and business development has positioned them as a leader in Utah's growing aerospace industry.

Listen now to discover actionable insights and the inspiring journey of Intergalactic’s rise in the competitive world of aerospace.

Follow iMpact Utah on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.