Honestly, I never thought of it in those terms. I just wanted to make a few boards and really didn’t think of it as forming a business. I just like designing and then building things. As the popularity of surfing grew, so did the demand for boards. Then came the point where it just became a business.
Creating a space was the first step. After that, things just started to happen.
I wanted to do what I wanted to do, each and every day of my life, and not what someone else wanted me to. It has never been about creating wealth, more about just creating.
When I would spend 3 hours at work and it felt like 20 minutes.
Everything I ever learned as a kid growing up with a father who could do and fix just about everything. He taught me, circuitously, that the only barriers in life are the ones you create for yourself.
The moment I realized that you have to take it all in stride. There are going to be great days and terrible ones, it is how you ride them out that counts, the whole time keeping your eye on the long game.
I grew with demand, saved as much as possible, and self financed through that strategy. Like in the olden days.
Through the hard work of proving myself. Retailers want to know that what they buy from you, they can then sell. I worked endlessly to be sure I looked as good on the rack as the biggest names in the game. I still do that. It tends to put a lot of pressure on those that have helped build boards here over the years
I didn’t, but I wish I did.
I don’t really know. I guess the boards spoke for themselves pretty early on. I was lucky to have a lot of great surfers on the Island with boards under their feet and spreading the good word. Definitely grateful for that.
With a grain of salt. Everyone has an opinion, which in my mind is a good thing. You just have to have confidence in what you see as your future, take the good from opinions, and give it the value it deserves.
Having a weak training program was a big failure. I have spent a lot of energy getting that on track.
I am not big on giving up. In fact, when you really don’t want to do something, that is exactly when you should do it. Train yourself to persevere. Not no matter what, but definitely when you feel like it will get you were you want to be.
Giving 30 day terms to accounts to those that don’t deserve it.
Too many orders, lol.
I was a carpenter.
I created most of all that you see. Through the direction from creatives that I have met and have helped along the way. I just know what I like and then I hope others will like it as well.
My only guideline is to be sure the look never stops changing. I will always have some time for the root of the brand but never cease to morph it into something new.
A blend of both
I would say quality and confidence in the shapes. It definitely is not my incredible marketing skills, lol.
Take a deep breath and remember that I live in one of the best places on the planet that you could possibly hope to live in.
Problem solving and decision making.
