Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayna Meikle.
Shayna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The store started in 2008 as a booth in a vintage clothing shop on 4th street in Long Beach by my friend Michelle Steilen. She was/is passionate about bringing the retro style of roller skates back into fashion and back onto the feet of everyone like “back in the day”. So much so that one of the top manufacturers of roller skates and ice skates believed in her passion and drive and asked her to partner to create a skate brand of her own. In 2009, she created the brand and called it Moxi. Soon after she moved the booth into its own retail location on 4th street. Now, the Harbor Area finally had an official roller skate shop.
I was her first sponsored skater and in 2010 and later one of her employees while I finished my teaching credentials at a local university. I left working at the store in 2011 when I became a full time inner city science teacher for LAUSD. During my first year as a teacher I started, and still operate, an all ages roller derby league out of the South Bay called Beach Cities Roller Derby. I would return to the Moxi Skate Shop, however, in 2013 to purchase the store and become the new owner. It was quite the career switch and leaving teaching was one of the hardest decisions in my life…but something that was absolutely meant to happen given that I was the leader of a 100+ person sports league that needs roller skates and protective gear to operate.
Michelle Steilen sold me the shop but she kept her brand. Her brand has been able to grow worldwide now that she had someone to take over the shop permanently. We work together to grown the businesses and each one of us benefits from the success of the other. One thing that helps both of us is creating a TEAM of sponsored skaters. I was the first and now there are 30 skaters worldwide who are sponsored by the brand and promote the products. While we sell other brands besides Moxi Roller Skates, they are definitely our best seller and a reason why people travel from all over the world to Long Beach.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course there have been struggles! The owner switch was rough as the store was in rough shape. Two other roller skate shops opened up locally following the buzz we created starting in 2008. All competing stores have closed since I purchased the shop in 2013.
To continue to create a thriving roller skate community we provide a few services:
-Free roller skate lesson every Saturday in the Summer. This has been our shop’s tradition since 2009!
-Community Roll Outs! Once a month we skate about a 5 mile loop and this encourages skaters to meet each other and to have fun with others while on your skates. This is also free.
These services have helped create a stronger community and thus support our business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the owner. I am also a sponsored skater of the brand. There is something to be said about a company whose owner is a pro at whatever the company is providing. It creates a much stronger reputation for our skate shop and more respect.
I used to work in the shop, manage seasonal interns, do all the books, do all the ordering, merchandising and email answering. My husband does all the roller skate repairs and mounting (building). We both keep hours in the shop and do everything behind the scenes as well.
What makes me most proud and sets us apart would be our consistent free services we provide to the community (next year will be 10 years!). Free lessons for all ages on Saturday afternoons and free public/community roll outs on certain Friday nights!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
This is absolutely a great place to start a business. Specifically, Long Beach has many services, stipends and programs for new business owners and even reimburse you annually to keep the front of your store looking nice.
I would highly encourage anyone interested in starting a business to consider Long Beach!
Pricing:
- Skates start at $100
- Average $200
- High range skates $750
- Our best seller Moxi Lolly $299 will last you FOREVER, made in the USA and comes in 6 beautiful colors!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2132 E 4th street, Long Beach, CA 90814
- Website: MoxiLongBeach.com
- Phone: (562)434-8488
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moxiskateshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moxirollerskateshop/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Image Credit:
Mark Cline
Tristan King
Deric Mendes
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
