SYNC Performance: Creating a Work Hard Play Hard team

“Performance first” is the motto of SYNC Performance, whether that’s in their design, the hard work of their employees, or the athletes wearing their gear on the race course. Looking through the eyes of the athletes, SYNC Performance is focused on making gear that makes sense to racers: padded tops, racing suits, and high-end performance outerwear that lasts for 300 days.

THE PRODUCT

SYNC Performance, a high performance sports brand, is a homegrown Vail Valley company that saw a need in the alpine racing industry and stepped in to fill it. Mountain Careers spoke with Phil Shettig, about what makes SYNC performance operate at its highest level and why it’s a great place to work.

SYNC Performance started around three and a half years ago to support the alpine racing community with gear that performed well and lasted the constant beating of training.

“We zeroed in on the alpine ski racing athlete as an opportunity and focus because they have extreme performance needs.They’re on the hill 150 days a year, they’re in the gym, on dry land, travelling quite a bit, and skiing all summer. We wanted a brand that supported them the whole year of training,” Shettig comments.

Whether it’s their Stretch Puffy that provides 360 degrees of stretch or the Training Jacket that’s breathable but extremely wind resistant, SYNC’s apparel and gear is created to last for an athlete that spends 100+ days on snow a season.

SYNC Performance decided to start in the Vail valley because of the location to their core consumer: “Being in the central Colorado area and Vail Valley, early on in the season, it comes the center of the ski racing universe and continues with the World Cup in Beaver Creek.”

THE CULTURE

With great access to athletes, SYNC also chose to stay in Vail for the “work hard/play hard” balance. “We wanted to make sure we were going to work somewhere that we wanted to live and enjoy the lifestyle we’re helping to support,” Shettig shares.

But the culture at SYNC and it’s opportunity for growth is what’s making the startup thrive.

“We’re ground floor and growing, and we’re not putting any caps on how big we’re going to get. We just happen to be starting in ski racing but the opportunities are there for more,” Shettig comments about the trajectory of the company.

THE OPPORTUNITY

“We still consider the new few hires as a part of the founders of the company.” Shettig shares that there’s a tremendous opportunity to come and have an impact on the trajectory of the company.

So how do they choose their candidates?

SYNC Performance is looking for people who are willing to jump in and take ownership of their portion of the business. “We need people to come in and say ‘I’m going to take this on’ because there’s a very light management touch. We’re an incredibly self-directed type of place.”

As a high performance brand, SYNC performance looks for that quality in their people: “It’s the classic work really really hard and play hard. We have a casual atmosphere but there’s very high expectations.”

SYNC is now hiring!  Check out their open position HERE and APPLY today.

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