Rally, Indy! We have four days to help Richmond, Indiana-based Skates US collect the most votes and win the Comcast Business Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs national competition that rewards entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to enhance customer and employee experiences.

Skates US is the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor for the world's three top brands of competitive ice skates and roller skates. Most of its sales transactions are in the $1,500-$2,000 range, so we're talking about some seriously high-tech and customized professional athletic gear.

Since the U.S. Ice Figure Skating Championships in January, followed by the Olympics in February, Skates US has seen its web traffic almost double and first quarter sales were up 53 percent. Skates US is focused on enhancing the online shopping experience for its customers with detailed educational product information.
  

  
David Ripp, owner of SkatesUS, has already won a $5,000 cash award plus Comcast Business Internet and TV services for two years, along with a $2,500 allocation for other Comcast services, because he was selected by the judges as the customer experience winner for the Indianapolis/Michigan Comcast Business service area. In addition, David will receive services for one year from Comcast Upware partners Cisco, Microsoft, Symantec, DocuSign, Soonr and Swiftpage Engage. Entries were judged by John Jantsch, marketing consultant, speaker and best-selling author of Duct Tape Marketing, The Commitment Engine and The Referral Engine and Anita Campbell, founder, CEO and publisher of Small Business Trends.

The next round of the competition is the public vote, where six businesses will be selected as grand prize winners and receive an additional $20,000 cash award as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City. While in New York, they will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one consulting with nationally recognized business experts: Marcus Lemonis, businessman, investor, TV personality and Philanthropist; Robert Irvine, Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur; and Comcast senior executives. Grand prize winners will also receive a VIP tour of 30 Rockefeller Center and an awards dinner prepared by Chef Irvine.

Public voting is now live and runs through June 1, 2014. The six grand prize winners will be announced the week of June 23, 2014, with an awards ceremony to be held in New York City on August 26, 2014.

About Skates US
Skates US specializes in the skates and accessories used by the majority of the current US National and World Champion Artistic Skaters and the World Quad Ball Roller Hockey Skaters. Skates US is a Partner Sponsor of the USA Roller Sports Figure Skating National Championships. They also lead in supporting Roller Derby, Jam Skating, Quad Speed Skating, Recreational Skating, and also Ice Figure Skating.

The company experience stems from its president, David Ripp’s vast experience in the skating business. David’s mother was Shirley Snyder and grandfather was Charles Snyder of the famed Snyder Skate Company. David’s innovations with new products as Vice President of the Snyder Skate Company back in the 80′s as well as being a contributing innovator with Skates US current lines.

Founded in 2004, Skates US is the US exclusive importers of ATLAS, EDEA Skates, and Roll-Line Skates and Wheels and accessories. These products represent the very best in new technology, comfort, ease of use, ultra light weight, precision, and especially design.