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Interview with Kent Hoff, owner

Q: How did you get involved in this business?

A: I have always had a passion for the outdoors. I grew up with a father who was an outdoorsman, and I think I caught my first fish when I was 3. After years of being in a suit, I decided that I needed something different. I found that there were no businesses in the Rocky Mountain region dedicated to the art and hobby of rod-building. I had been building custom fly-fishing rods for a number of years, so I knew the industry and had a number of customers who wanted to build their own rods. After a couple of years having a booth at the Denver Fly Fishing Show and fielding numerous questions from customers about purchasing rod components, I felt it was time to jump into the market.

Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?

A: As the only retail fly-fishing store dedicated to fly rod building in the Rocky Mountain region, we fill a unique niche. There are a few fly-fishing stores that sell some components, but none with the breadth or depth of my store. Also, a customer can come into the shop and design a custom grip (handle) for a fishing rod that they wish to build on their own. I will glue up the grip, shape it and finish it for the customer, which is something no other fishing rod component retail store does. Most of my competition is online, but you can’t actually see what the color of the thread will look like on your fishing rod. But at my shop you can. I think that it is the ability to allow a customer to actually handle the components and to test demo fishing rods before buying that is the key to why my business differs significantly from everyone else.

Q: What do you like best about your line of work?

A: The chance to let my creative and artistic side come through. I just enjoy making things and bringing new designs to fruition. There is something truly satisfying about taking an idea and turning it into something that is both beautiful and highly functional. I also enjoy the interaction with my customers and not just helping them when they purchase a product, but educating them and helping them become more satisfied with their efforts.

Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?

A: Like any small business, during the startup stage there are a massive number of things to do, and keeping up with it all can be daunting. You have to master all aspects of the business, from accounting to sales and finance. Until you develop sufficient cash flow to hire employees or outside professionals, you wear many hats.

Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:

A: About the only thing that might surprise people about me is that I went to culinary school and opened a highly successful restaurant in Palm Beach, Fla. My cheesecakes even had a writeup in the New York Times as the best outside of New York.

Profile

Business: Rocky Mountain Rod Shop

Address: 1595 Carr St., Lakewood

Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Founded: 2015

Contact: 720-689-1059,

Employees: 1