My successes.

ActionGlow is a fully patented aftermarket LED lighting system for sporting equipment. It allows the rider to express their personal style, while also adding an element of safety. We currently offer nine different action sport applications, ranging from snowboards, surfboards, bikes, and more.

What do you do?

As teenagers, we came up with an idea that would soon flip the action sports industry on its head. The idea to put LED lights on our snowboards came to us one evening when we were about to drop in on a dark ski slope. We wondered what it would feel like to shred through fresh powder or launch a hanging 360 with LED snowboards and dreamed about being the inventors of a product that would allow just that for every action sport enthusiast. That evening we made the biggest decision of our lives; to double-down and make that dream a reality. The next two years were spent on designing and engineering this product – now known worldwide as ActionGlow.

Being only 13 and 16 years old when starting AG, we were faced with quite the learning curve. However, one thing we were excellent at was not being afraid to reach out for help when we needed it. With assistance and guidance from anyone in the area who was willing to give us the time of day, we created our first iteration of ActionGlow; an aftermarket, low profile, and lightweight lighting system for the action sport enthusiast looking to create their own path and separate themselves from the pack. Today with our product ActionGlow, we get to travel the world, work with the professional athletes that inspired us, partner with elite brands such as Jeep, the World Surf League, and RedBull, and we even landed a dream deal with Robert Herjavec on ABC's Shark Tank.

What inspired you to start your business?

We came up with the idea when we were teenagers, night snowboarding at our local ski resort in Traverse City, Michigan. Everything looked so ordinary. There were white lights shining down on the white snow in the trees and on the ground - and then it hit us... “what if we put LED lights on our snowboards?” We went home and threw together a prototype with some spare components we found on the internet, and then went back out to the same ski resort a couple weeks later. The reaction we got was overwhelming! People were screaming off the chairlifts and riding right up to us asking what it was called and where they could get their own. This is when we knew we were onto something BIG!

What's special about your business?

ActionGlow LED Lighting Systems not only allow the user to express their personal style, but they also add an element of safety during the night hours. It is a product that captures the need to stand out and individualize yourself while enjoying your favorite action sport.

What influenced you to seek help from SCORE?

Starting ActionGlow at such a young age, we very quickly realized that we didn't know anything about business - but we threw that to the side and started to learn! We reached out to anyone willing to give us the time of day. SCORE didn't see our ages as a hinderance, but rather a unique opportunity to go all in.

How SCORE helped.

SCORE Traverse City was crucial in the earl stages of ActionGlow. With SCORE's help, we began the paperwork trail for our first provisional patent, filed our LLC, and received excellent advice on several different topics. For quite a while, we had almost daily meetings with our SCORE mentors after school. It was the type of learning that we thrived on!

What's great about my mentor?

We relied on our mentors anytime we needed advice, guidance, or support. They were always one phone call away, and would drop anything to have a meeting with us to discuss next steps.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a small business?

We learned early on to surround ourselves with people / mentors much smarter than ourselves, and who have already gone through similar situations to what you're about to experience. We would give the advice to reach out to their local SCORE chapter, find a mentor / mentors who understand your business, and capitalize on their help / support. It is invaluable.

What would you tell a fellow business owner about SCORE?

ActionGlow was founded during our time with SCORE. Since then, we have grown ActionGlow to be a worldwide leader in the industry and secured a deal with Robert Herjavec on ABC's Shark Tank (Season 14, Episode 7).

What have you learned from your experiences as a business owner?

Go all in, network as much as possible, and reach out to your local SCORE chapter for guidance and support.

My mentors

Tanya Berg

As a marketing professional with over 30 years experience in marketing, branding, communications and...

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