Brian Lindenbaum

“These Amex products are the real game changer. There are things my business just couldn’t do before they came along that we can do now. And they have completely changed our game.”

Brian Lindenbaum

Real American Express® Business Line of Credit customer who was aware that their testimonial may be featured by American Express.

From Pavement to Powerhouse:

The rise of One Stop Board Shop with business backing from American Express

Brian Lindenbaum’s wild ride from action sports enthusiast to entrepreneur is a story steeped in adrenaline and ingenuity. From his early days shredding slopes and carving pavements, the New Jersey native was always a heartbeat away from his next adventure. He would spend his day job as a contract manager dreaming of the downhill rush.

“I was born for board sports,” he declares. “I’ve been skiing, skateboarding, and snowboarding for years. If you can put my feet on it and make it go, I love being on it.”

It was his buddy’s endorsement of a new entrant to the board scene, a self-balancing board with a single wheel, that introduced Lindenbaum to personal electric vehicles (PEVs). One ride was all it took for him to dive headlong into this thrilling world, which included a bustling community of riders and what he saw as a glaring gap in the market – a reliable repair shop.

“I was in a bunch of Facebook forums talking about the repairs I was making on my own,” Lindenbaum recalls. “I guess my name got out. People started hitting me up.”

Lindenbaum founded the One Stop Board Shop (OSBS) in 2019. The adventure began modestly in his garage, where local riders could find not just repairs, but a group that shared experiences, knowledge, and the joy of riding. Lindenbaum describes his customers as “a melting pot of teenagers to lawyers to doctors to sixty-somethings who just want to cruise down the beach and hang out.” The only barrier to entry, he says, is “a lack of balance.”

With time, this humble setup grew into a thriving nucleus of the local PEV community, hastening the birth of the first official OSBS store in Martinsville, NJ, in 2022. As demand skyrocketed across the country, Lindenbaum sensed that a larger, more equipped space was needed. He relocated OSBS to a larger facility in Somerville, NJ, where riders could find everything from board accessories and parts to e-skate products, repair services, and upgrades.

It also became clear to the rising PEV mogul that reliable financial products would be crucial to sustaining growth. This is where American Express® stepped in, offering a suite of business products and features designed to help small business owners take their passions to the next level.

“I started growing my business by using several American Express products, only to realize how much I needed Amex,” Lindenbaum says. “Amex has become a daily part of our business.”

Lindenbaum’s first Amex product was the Amazon Business Prime Card from American Express^¹ in 2019. Yet as Lindenbaum’s business expanded, so did his need for support, eventually leading him to explore more comprehensive financial solutions.

In 2022, the quest to better manage the company’s finances brought him to American Express® Business Checking². With fully digital bank accounts offered by American Express National Bank (Member FDIC), Business Checking has no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements, and it offers a competitive APY on balances up to $500k. The Business Debit Card that comes with the account makes everyday purchases and ATM withdrawals straightforward and seamless. Members can even convert the Membership Rewards® points they earn into deposits directly into their Business Checking account³.

“Having the ability to take in payments digitally, it just makes things cleaner and easier. Now, it’s not a headache every single time there’s a transaction.”

Beyond streamlined banking, Lindenbaum’s growing business also needed flexible funding solutions. In July 2022, OSBS  applied for the American Express® Business Line of Credit³, which has become fundamental to their business strategy.

“We were actively searching for financing options when my father found the Business Line of Credit,” Lindenbaum recounts. “And you know the cost of money in this economic climate. It was just incredibly affordable for me.”

Designed to give small businesses flexible access to funding, the American Express® Business Line of Credit helps eligible small businesses manage cash flow and cover unexpected expenses. It has varied term options and no hidden fees. The application process can be completed in a few simple steps, which allows customers to concentrate on growing their business.

Lindenbaum breaks down how he intends to use his loans, revealing that a portion will be directed towards enhancing purchasing power, and another toward new equipment. Meanwhile, OSBS is actively engaged in the development and design of its product range.

Still, this funding isn’t just about securing state-of-the-art equipment. It is also helping hire employees in a pinch. The OSBS team, which Lindenbaum considers his most valuable asset, relies on having a consistent team of experts. “I can’t handle every single thing that comes to our door,” he says. “I need a good team of people behind me, and the ability to hire them.”

He praises the free digital cash flow management platform, American Express Business Blueprint™⁴, that has helped him keep track of his select American Express business accounts and products, including his Business Cards, Business Checking account, and Business Line of Credit, all in one place on his mobile device.

“When I’m on the go, if I’m not in my office and need to check something, the fact that I can just log into my one app and see everything I need is super convenient,” he says. “The 2023 way to operate businesses requires us to have that information in your palm.”

Looking ahead, Lindenbaum has high expectations for what he can do with his American Express products. As self-described “community leaders,” OSBS hopes to participate in more events and sponsorships, emulating industry-leading companies.

He hints at significant contracts in the pipeline, aiming to become an authorized service center for major manufacturers, a move that will necessitate additional technicians, more equipment, and, potentially, expansion to new locations. In the meantime, Lindenbaum plans to increase the company’s presence at major boarding industry events, ramping up from a handful of events this year to about 10 to 12 annually.

Like the effortless push of an electric scooter, Lindenbaum acknowledges the pivotal role of American Express in helping him to power the uphill growth of his shop.

“You cannot do it all on your own,” he acknowledges. “I don’t see how we could succeed or have gotten where we are without American Express. It’s a material part of our business.”

^¹Application and approval required.

²Deposit products offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC.

³American Express® Business Line of Credit offers access to a commercial line of credit ranging from $2,000 to $250,000; however, you may be eligible for a larger line of credit based on our evaluation of your business. Each draw on the line of credit will result in either a separate installment loan or a single repayment loan. All loans are subject to credit approval and are secured by business assets. Every loan requires a personal guarantee. For single repayment loans, we charge a total loan fee that ranges from 0.95%-1.80% of the amount you borrow for 1- month loans, 1.90%-3.75% for 2-month loans, and 2.85%-6.05% for 3- month loans. Single repayment loans incur a loan fee at origination and the principal and total loan fee are due and payable at loan maturity. There are no required monthly repayments for a single repayment loan. Repaying a single repayment loan early will not reduce the loan fee we charge you. For installment loans, we charge a total loan fee that ranges from 3-9% of the amount you borrow for 6-month loans, 6-18% for 12-month loans, 9-27% for 18-month loans, and 12-18% for 24- month loans. Installment loans incur a portion of the total loan fee for each month you have an outstanding balance. If you repay the total of the principal of an installment loan early, you will not be required to pay loan fees that have not posted for subsequent months. For each loan that you take, you will see the applicable loan fee before you take the loan. Once you take the loan, the loan fees that apply to that loan do not change. We reserve the right to change the loan fees that we offer you for new loans at any time. American Express reserves the right to offer promotions to reduce or waive loan fees from time to time. Not all customers will be eligible for the lowest loan fee. Not all loan term lengths are available to all customers. Eligibility is based on creditworthiness and other factors. Not all industries are eligible for American Express® Business Line of Credit. Pricing and line of credit decisions are based on the overall financial profile of you and your business, including history with American Express and other financial institutions, credit history, and other factors. Lines of credit are subject to periodic review and may change or be suspended, accompanied with or without an account closure. Late fees may be assessed. Loans are issued by American Express National Bank. Single repayment loans may become available to eligible new and existing Business Line of Credit customers at different times.

⁴American Express Business Blueprint is the small business digital experience that allows a customer to view on one digital dashboard summary account information for the following American Express small business products: American Express® Business Cards, American Express® Business Line of Credit, and American Express® Business Checking. The customer can also choose to link their third-party issued business bank accounts and business credit cards to Business Blueprint. Not all third party accounts or cards can be connected to Business Blueprint. Business Blueprint allows the customer to view data insights and track their business cash flow and expenses by viewing reports that American Express prepares using the customer’s linked account information. Business Blueprint provides a 30-day bank account balance projection, using the daily balances from the customer’s linked bank accounts from the last 90 days. To be used in the account balance projection, the customer’s bank account must have at least 90 days of data available. While the cash flow management service from Business Blueprint is currently free, each of the business products from American Express that are visible in Business Blueprint has its own fees, eligibility criteria, application process and approval requirements. The Business Blueprint service (including any data insights provided to the customer) does not constitute legal, tax, financial or accounting advice, and is not a substitute for obtaining competent personalized advice from a licensed professional. You should seek professional advice before making any decision that could affect the financial health of your business. American Express makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the reports, projections, data or account information that are available to the customer from Business Blueprint.