Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary DeBoer.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Salty Gold Supply Co. was founded by a brother-and-sister team with deep roots in ice sports and a heart for building community. Matt and Mary grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, skating with the West Michigan Speedskating Club, where they learned the value of hard work, family, and the people who show up along the way.
Ice sports have shaped our family for generations. Our grandfather skated in the Netherlands before coming to the United States, and that love of speed skating was passed down to our dad. After being orphaned as a child, losing his mother when he was only 8 months old and his father when he was just 12, the speedskating community became like family to him. That sense of belonging helped shape who he became and is a big part of why creating a welcoming atmosphere matters so much to us today.
That same love for the ice was passed down to us. Matt competed internationally in long-track speed skating, Mike competed internationally in short-track speed skating, Mary competed at the national level, and our younger sister Marcy also competed in speed skating for a time. Matt went on to build a career with US Speedskating as a coach and Long Track Program Director, while Mike also worked with US Speedskating after retiring from competition. Mike later married Jessica Smith, a former Olympic speedskater, and now owns Koor Mortgage in Michigan. Matt married a former figure skater, his son played hockey, and Mike’s two boys currently play hockey, so our family has seen firsthand how ice sports can impact kids, adults, families, and communities.
Salty Gold Supply Co. is located inside the Utah Olympic Oval and sells speedskating, hockey, figure skating, and curling gear and accessories. More than anything, we are passionate about bringing back the mom-and-pop shop feel. We want every customer to feel welcomed, valued, known by name, and treated like family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, opening and operating Salty Gold has gone smoothly, but like any new business, it has definitely required hard work and a steep learning curve. There are always challenges, unexpected lessons, and opportunities to grow, adjust, and become stronger along the way.
Since Salty Gold is run by a small family team, one of the trickier parts has been balancing the store’s day-to-day needs with behind-the-scenes business responsibilities. Finding a rhythm that allows us to serve customers well, manage the business side, and continue learning new things has taken patience, flexibility, and adaptability. At the same time, because it is family-run, it has been really fun and meaningful to grow together through the process.
Is it a lot of work? Absolutely. Is it worth every minute? You better believe it is. Getting to know local athletes, athletes from around the world, their families, and the support systems behind them has been one of the greatest joys. Athletes stop in to tell us how their games, races, practices, and competitions went, and that sense of community makes every bit of the hard work worth it.
The sports communities at the Oval have been incredibly welcoming and encouraging, and we are so grateful to be part of such a special place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Salty Gold Supply Co. is a family-run pro shop located inside the Utah Olympic Oval. We specialize in gear, accessories, and services for speedskating, hockey, figure skating, and curling. From skate sharpening and blade work to helping athletes find the right equipment, our goal is to make every customer feel supported, whether they are brand-new to the sport or competing at a high level.
What we are most proud of is the community we have the privilege of being part of. Salty Gold gives us the opportunity to connect with local athletes, families, and coaches, as well as athletes from around the world, and we love playing even a small role in their journeys. We are proud that Salty Gold has become more than just a store. It has become a place where athletes can ask questions, share updates from their practices and competitions, and know they have people cheering them on.
What sets us apart is our family’s deep connection to ice sports and our heart for serving people well. We understand these sports not just from a business perspective, but from personal experience as athletes, parents, siblings, and supporters. We care about the details, we care about the athletes, and we believe every athlete deserves a crew behind them. That is what Salty Gold is all about.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As Salty Gold grows, we never want to lose sight of what makes ice sports so special: the community. Whether it is a young athlete just starting out, a family learning the sport together, a coach supporting their team, or an elite athlete training at the highest level, we want Salty Gold to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged.
Looking ahead, we are excited to keep growing our online presence through saltygoldsupply.com so we can serve athletes and families beyond the walls of our store. Our hope is to continue expanding while staying true to who we are, and eventually open a second and third location. Growth is exciting, but our heart will always be the same: building a strong community through ice sports and making sure every athlete feels like they have a crew behind them.
Pricing:
- We have entry to elite level pricing available depending on need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saltygoldsupply.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/saltygoldsupply
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578570327194
- Twitter: https://x.com/SaltyGoldSupply
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@saltygoldsupply
- Other: mary.deboer@saltygoldsupply.com, matt.kooreman@saltygoldsupply.com
