OEN Member Profile - Tarran Pitschka of Wicked Quick
Q. Name/Name of company (if applicable)
Q. Please provide a brief description of your company. How long has your product/service/company been in the market?
A. Wicked Quick is an established and growing premium clothing and accessories brand influenced by the world of speed, rebellion and attitude. Wicked Quick is currently available in Nordstrom stores, Metropark, select Harley Davidson Dealership and other retailers. We also are delivering product to professional teams including Joe Gibbs Racing (NASCAR) and Tony Pedregon Racing (NHRA Funny Car).
Q. What business opportunity or challenge led you to develop your product or service? How does your product or service meet that need?
Wicked Quick is filling a need in the premium contemporary tops market creating compelling offerings to match with premium denim bottoms. Wicked Quick's experienced and seasoned team and authenticity in the world of speed; along with our unique dye treatments, contemporary fit, art, made in USA and attention to customer service allows us to deliver a premium product that remains very much in demand.
Profile O&A
Q. What are your impressions of the entrepreneurial community in the Northwest? How would you like to see it grow/change?
A. There are a lot of people and organizations in the Portland area that want to see entrepreneurs succeed. OEN is one such organization that provides great educational tools for the entrepreneur, access to people who have been successful in Portland as well as assists with several avenues to funding. I would love to see it continue on its current path and in particular help drive as many new funding opportunities for new Northwest companies as possible. The companies still have to be viable of course, but the more opportunities for funding the better.
Q. How are you involved in the entrepreneurial community and how has it helped shape your business?
A. We participated in Angel Oregon and are a member of the OEN. We also have found many mentors and past entrepreneurs here in the Portland area willing to give advise and help. Each presentation we do or meeting we have helps us to continue to refine our strategy and focus.
Q. How does OEN assist you/how are you specifically benefiting from the organization?
A. We have met with both the OEN employees/organization itself as well as countless individuals who are paying members of the OEN. All have helped us to become better presenters and have asked a number of questions that help us to continue to scrutinize our own business and improve our strategy. Almost everyone we have dealt with as an OEN employee or member seems legitimately interested in seeing Wicked Quick succeed.
Q. What are your favorite websites/magazines/events/ organizations that you read/attend to keep yourself informed about the business community/your specific market?
A. Retail Forward (website / news), Label Networks (website / news), Www.iconoculture.com, Www.Boardistan.com, Inc magazine, New York Times
Q. Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
A. This is a time of opportunity. While getting business done in this environment may seem harder realize that the reset button has just been hit which means for many companies this is just the beginning. Conserve cash now but stay well positioned and focused and good things will happen.