Outdoor Retailer - Winter 2019 - 24

IDEAS

Mark Castberg
Each issue we speak to key employees who work behind the counters
and in the aisles at successful retailers in order to find out
what it takes to turn a great shop into a neighborhood institution.
by Cameron Martindell
LIKE MANYWORKING BEHIND THE COUNTER
ferrata route and explore more in Central
America-but he always loves returning to
of an outdoor retail shop, Mark Castberg fell in
his home in Venice and his work.
love with being out beyond that counter at
What sets Castberg apart from other ema young age. He grew up near the beach and
ployees? Adventure 16 owner John Mead
waves in Venice, California, and he spent a
says, "Mark is a patient and reserved person
summer vacation playing in the woods near
and has lots of outdoor experience with so
his mom's hometown in Germany with his
many of the items we carry in the store. I get
older cousin, who roped Mark up for his
regular feedback that customers and fellow
first rock climbing adventure.
employees enjoy learning about product
Castberg started working retail while
from him."
in college, suiting customers up at GO
He also gets to work with his wife and
Sport and Sport Chalet, before moving on
frequent adventure partner, Erika Fiksdal.
to Adventure 16, where he's been for the
As Adventure 16 West LA's
past 13 years. He credits his
General Manager, she's aclong career to the passion
tually his direct supervisor.
of the people he meets. The
Mark Castberg, 48
"Mark is the guy who is willjob exposes him to so many
Shop: Adventure 16
ing to do whatever it takes,
outdoor activities that he's
Location: West Los Angeles,
each and every time. In work
gottten hooked on the outCalifornia Role: Apparel and
and in life." she says. "He
door world. He's also addictfootwear sales; transitioning
takes his work seriously while
ted to travel-with current
to apparel buyer
having fun and can outfit
aspirations to head to the
Experience: Twenty-five years;
anyone from the big mounAlps to hike and climb a via
13 at Adventure 16

24 OUTDOOR RETAILER

/ Winter 2019

WORDS OF WISDOM

Advice for New Shop Employees:

"We sell toys for fun and adventure.
Pretend you're outfitting yourself
for your customer's adventure."
Meteorological Musings:

"Check the weather where your
adventure will take you. It's easy to
forget not everywhere has the benign
weather of Southern California-
you might need a jacket elsewhere."

Photo courtesy Mark Castberg

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

tain climber to the European traveler to the
Sierra backpacking novice."
It's no surprise that celebrities occasionally pop into the L.A. store, and one of
Castberg's favorite customer interactions
was with the late comedian George Carlin.
Mr. Carlin was waiting for his wife who
was trying on some things. Castberg says:
"He looked content enough perusing the
men's clothing area until he came across
a black parka on a rack. You know he only
wore black. I watched him try it on, and he
seemed to have sold himself on it. Before he
left the mirror, I swooped in and told him,
'Mr. Carlin, that jacket is also reversible.' He
looked at me and said in his New York accent, 'No shit. Get the f--k outta here. Two
jackets for the price of one? I'll take it.' I've
outfitted people for all the Seven Summits,
film crews going to the Arctic, and little old
ladies going to Santa Barbara for the weekend, but that memory still brings a smile to
my face. He was genuinely stoked."
In his time working on the floor helping
customers, Castberg has also been alongside
Adventure 16's buyers who look for products
that will best serve their customers. Now he
is making the transition to becoming a buyer
for Adventure 16 himself. His experience on
the floor interacting with customers provides excellent insight into that job.
"He's excited to take ownership of it and
further expand his knowledge of another
aspect of the industry," Fiksdal says. "In turn,
he hopes that his contribution will have a
lasting and positive effect on the store and
the company for years to come." O.R.
Outdoor Retailer - Winter 2019

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