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Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD?

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Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD?

Postby Osprey1 » Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:25 am

Kind of OT, but I'm wondering if anyone in the kite industry be it a kite company founder, inventor or pro-kiter earns more than $1 million/ year?

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby NYKiter » Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:45 am

did you hear that pin drop? :bye:

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby william_rx7 » Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:59 am


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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby pj sofine » Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:47 am

Not by a long shot!

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby JGTR » Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:49 am

I read Hadlow was the sport's first millionaire, altho that was probably career earnings. Was a few years ago.

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby CaptainArgh » Tue Nov 26, 2013 4:40 am

Osprey1 wrote:Kind of OT, but I'm wondering if anyone in the kite industry be it a kite company founder, inventor or pro-kiter earns more than $1 million/ year?
Well, there are definitely pros, owners & kiters (i.e. Branson) who earn more than that...BUT, probably not kite related revenue.
Maybe the guy who owns that Chinakite manufacturing facility that makes 80% of our kites...he may be a millionaire.

You could probably look to the top dogs of companies like Cabrinha/NP and see where they are at. Not that they can roll in that coin from just kiting, but some of those watersports companies are far reaching when they get into shoulder sports (windsurf, wake, SUP, surf) and complete sports clothing lines.

But, I'd still lean that while there are plenty of millionaires in our industry...they probably didn't make it in the kite industry.

$.02

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby BWD » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:01 am

There are likely a good few kite entrepreneurs, mfg and retail level, whose career kite earnings would top $1M.
A while back, someone was trying to pry into what a brand might be worth, and found it (they though at least) listed in the UK as a corporation valued at 250,000.
Because of trendiness and liability risk, extracting profits and keeping the Co small on paper is no doubt a vital strategy.
I am sure the major retail outlets were well into millions 8 years ago, and many are still around. They would not be if it didn't pay.
Riders?
Maybe Hadlow and Lenten, career-wise.
Doubt a lot of others, unless they are riding gear they get a royalty on as in Best, Cabrinha.
my .02.
I once sold a board I built for $300. :lol:

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby longwhitecloud » Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:29 am

uch... riders - no way, they make very little if any $$$ at all off sponsors, nice to get travel and gear tho... Dunno what red bull pay but i know in other action sports getting paid a fancy fee aint easy right now - big companies have been dropping riders.

industry? probably - over 10 years lol

the best way to have a balance over a $million in the kite industry is to start with 2 or more million $

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby skinnergy » Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:01 am

Legaignoux brothers ?

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Re: Has anyone in the kite industry earned more than $1m USD

Postby balugh » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:36 am

If you take 'very' round numbers....and an assumed final sale price of $1200 USD for a kite

Then divide this by 3 between manufacturer / wholesaler / retailer = $400 each

Then divide his by 3 between cost of sale or production / taxes (yes they get a share at every stage) / margin = $133.32 per kite

Then divide your $1000000/$133.32 = 7500 kites

That's a few kites to move to make a $1M.


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