Jaron Lodge discovered his knack for entrepreneurship at a young age, starting with selling popcorn as a Cub Scout and eventually saving up $25,000 through various businesses by age 18. He then sold $30,000 worth of high-end cutlery after high school. Inspired by entrepreneurs on YouTube, he created a game based on skipping stones that eventually led him to the idea for SKIP ‘NN Hole.
Enrolling in the business entrepreneurship program at Arizona State University, Lodge experimented with creating stones for his game using fish food and eventually switched to 3-D printing them. Through market research, he discovered a need for a unique backyard game that was durable, portable, and easy to store, which led him to develop SKIP ‘NN Hole. He raised funds for his business through competitions and received support from the university’s Venture Devils program.
Continuing his self-education, Lodge listened to podcasts and learned about crowdfunding on Kickstarter. He successfully raised over $53,000 for his game on the platform and expanded sales on Amazon and through other retailers. His business, based in Surprise, Arizona, grew from $60,000 in revenue in 2020 to an anticipated $3 million in 2024, with $1 million already reached by March.
The trend of million-dollar, one-person businesses is on the rise, with a significant increase in businesses generating $1 million to $2.49 million in revenue. Lodge’s success story exemplifies the opportunities available to aspiring entrepreneurs through online resources, entrepreneurship education, and digital tools. The top industries for these businesses include professional services, retail, construction, and more.
As Lodge plans to scale his business further, he is working to address supply chain issues and expand production capacity. His focus on marketing the game as a family-friendly activity highlights the unique selling proposition of SKIP ‘NN Hole. With the continued growth of million-dollar, one-person businesses, entrepreneurs like Lodge are at the forefront of innovation and redefining the landscape of small business ownership.
