We had the good fortune of connecting with David Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Initially, there was no plan to start a business. There was no business plan, no market research, no product testing or anything of the sort. There was simply motivation to solve a personal problem I was experiencing in my fitness pursuits. That singular objective allowed me to avoid all other distractions and just focus on solving the problem. I ended up developing a really good solution. As I let others test out my solution they too were very impressed and asked if I would make one for them. This happened regularly and organically until I had no choice but to start a business and start charging for my product. That’s how Rx Smart Gear, Inc. came to be.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Rx Smart Gear is the industry leading designer and manufacturer of high end jump ropes. We don’t view jump ropes as a simple product to try and sell as many units to consumers as possible. We design jump ropes that are specifically intended to help people achieve fitness goals. We make jump ropes that enhance people’s learning experience and reduces frustrations. We make jump ropes that challenge experience jumpers and taxes their stamina. We make super high performance jump ropes for people who make their living at professional fitness. We invented a jump rope for amputees missing an upper limb. We created a skills kit with multiple items to help people train in progression to improve their skill. We created an inflatable jumping mat to reduce impact on joints and assist elderly or overweight participants gain more air time. So our goal is ultimately to help people have a better experience while trying to improve their fitness with our products.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We love taking out of town guests to brunch at Sheldon’s in La Mesa. Take them for a motorcycle ride to Julian for some apple pie. Take them paddle boarding in Mission Bay and surfing in Mission Beach. We love taking friends to the Comedy Store in La Jolla. One of our favorite places to dine is Coasterra down by the airport with excellent food and cocktails and the best views of the San Diego Skyline and Coronado. Speaking of which, we love taking friends on our pilgrimage to Coronado Dog Beach to let our furry friends run off some energy. And of course we have to bring them to the world famous Rx Smart Gear facility where people can test every type of jump rope we offer. Get some coaching and tips. Choose their colors and specs for their own custom jump rope. Then watch it being built in our state of the art manufacturing facility.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Paul and Tina Flores, owners of CrossFit East County in El Cajon California. As well as my wife and business partner Susan Newman.

Website: www.rxsmartgear.com
Instagram: @rxsmartgear
Twitter: @rxsmartgear
Facebook: @rxsmartgear
Youtube: @rxsmartgear

Image Credits
Photographer: Richwell Correa

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