It is the alma mater of Padelmania, the man who from nothing has lifted what is now the chain of stores specialized in paddle, both physical and online, the most important in Spain. With many projects underway, with very ambitious objectives to keep growing, he will continue to fight and reinvent himself daily to make his dream come true: to get everyone who buys once in any of his stores to not want to go anywhere else.
Padel World Press .- To speak with Cristóbal Bohórquez is to do it with one of those people who feel, enjoy and know padel like very few. If you are not in a hurry, if you have time, you could take the whole day talking about this sport, exchanging anecdotes, sharing confidences and stories ...
Of course, during the conversation you would soon realize that, at the same time you are speaking, he is analyzing all the information he receives, he is asking you questions that you might have overlooked and almost turned the tables: The interviewer can become an interviewee ... There you can see that student gene from Journalism in Salamanca by Cristóbal.
Passionate about his work, tireless worker, in his conversation with Padel World Press he looked back to remember how the origins of Padelmanía were, to remember the difficulties of the first months, not to forget the complicated beginnings of an adventure that many people It seemed crazy but now, more than a decade later, it has ended up giving the reason ... That's why, after much talk about that time, our first question was:
At what time did you think: "That's it, we've come to the right path"?
Well, I did it the same day we started losing, every month, less than the previous one.
What was the philosophy with which Padelmania was born? Would you say that he keeps it over the years?
The philosophy that we maintain from our origins is the same: Super-specialization, work and expansion.
Has the market changed much since those early years until now?
Much more than you can imagine. There have always been half-haired pirates but, at present, there are professional pirates.
With more than a hundred brands in the market ... Is there no risk that we will find a 'bubble' similar to real estate?
The paddle market is already an absolute bubble that sooner or later will explode. In Padelmanía more than a year ago we worked in anticipation of this situation.
Something similar happens with the number of online stores ... Are there some 'unwritten' rules that everyone registers or each one plays according to their limits, margins and interests?
Well, in theory there are rules of ethics and respect for both the brand and the legality. But, as I say, that's in theory. In practice, they do not exist.
Which practices do the most damage to your sector?
The decoy sale. Pseudotiendas have proliferated that offer products that they do not have, just to generate traffic. For example, you are looking for a NOX for the great price that they offer you in a certain web and, in the end, you end up deriving the sale towards another product because NOX does not sell them. That is crime.
Both the Spanish Commission for the Paddle Industry and the International Association of Paddle Producers have been set up ... What does Padelmania expect from both institutions? Do you think they are complementary or that they can be stepped on?
Of the first, I have to tell you that I hope it is an interesting forum for debate to put common ground among the main players in this market. It can and should be a framework in which important objectives are sought to help grow this sport. Of the second I do not expect anything. That's why I'm not going to your meetings.
What requirements does a brand have to meet to become part of Padelmania?
They have to be given several at a time.
- Product demand by the final consumer.
- Sufficient margin for the survival of the point of sale.
- Quick and serious after-sales.
- Distribution consistent and consistent with the policy of Padelmania.
Although at a slower pace, paddle tennis is a sport that continues to increase its number of practitioners ... Do you notice that situation in the volume of sales or the crisis is still raging?
It is true that there are more and more players but, on the other hand, it is also true that every year there are fewer new players ... This is something that is noticeable, mainly, in the sale of hard material.
How is Padelmania's situation at the moment? Have you managed to weather the difficult moments well or do you have to reinvent yourself?
We have been reinventing 6 for months and, for the moment, I can only anticipate that 2015 will be the most important year for us. We have had difficult moments in our history, but the hardest ones were 10 years ago, when we started. What I can assure you is that the best is yet to come.
Do you have any project in progress, some new surprise that you can overtake us?
In that sense, I'll tell you that 2015 launched the franchise project. It will be very interesting and fun. I can only tell you until here.
Eleven years after its foundation, turned into a reference ... Did you ever imagine that Padelmanía would become the "colossus" that it is today?
Padelmania is tiny with what will be in the next three or four years.
On the other hand ... Did you think that the paddle was going to become a sport so well received by the amateur amateur?
Well, to be honest, the truth is that I never imagined it.
From your experience, why do you think the professional paddle does not stop exploding, to become what it really is: the second sport with the most practitioners in Spain?
Everything has its times and, of course, without appearing in the general media these times are much longer. The second most practiced sport, the truth is that I'm not so sure. I do not know if there are really more people playing padel than fans who ride bicycles, swim, run or go to the gym to do weights or receive scheduled classes.
What is the best memory that your relationship with this wonderful sport has left you?
The first paddle tennis racket of my life was given to me by my girlfriend, by chance, brought from Brazil. Hence the idea of riding ennelnombredelpadel.com arose. In short, from that shovel a business was born and, from that courtship, my wife and two children came out. Can I ask the paddle for more?
As a farewell, what message would you like to convey to the readers of Padel World Press?
That they play a lot to paddle and enjoy this wonderful sport. And on the track, as in life, we have to talk ... Mia!
Photo: Absolute Paddle
* You can follow all the news of the world of paddle in our profiles of Facebook y Twitter as well as subscribe to our Newsletter .
