The Last Independent Skateboard Business | Loaded Boards CEO, Don Tashman | Podcast series / Mark...

TL;DR

Loaded Boards, a skateboard brand, reflects on their journey from personal discomfort with new ideas to embracing new trends like longboard dancing, and discusses their commitment to spreading stoke and maintaining independence.

Transcript

we've entered into territories that I was personally uncomfortable with over the years and that dancing longbo dancing is a case in point we had uh one of our uh ambassadors Adam Colton he uh was a filmmaker he was one of the we we were the biggest brand on YouTube in biggest skateboard brands on YouTube in 2006 to probably 2008 and that was that w... Read More

Key Insights

• 💃 Longboard dancing, initially met with discomfort, has become a global phenomenon, gaining popularity in Europe, Asia, and the US.
• ✋ Loaded Boards focuses on spreading stoke, creating high-quality skateboarding products, and incorporating environmentally sustainable practices.
• 👻 Being independent allows Loaded Boards to prioritize their core values and make decisions based on ethics rather than financial goals.
• 🏛️ Budgeting and forecasting are crucial for building a successful brand and understanding the costs involved.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Loaded Boards navigate their discomfort and embrace longboard dancing?

Loaded Boards initially found the concept of longboard dancing strange but decided to support their passionate ambassador and witnessed the rise of the trend, leading to its global popularity.

Q: What are some examples of longboard dancing becoming a phenomenon?

Longboard dancing has gained immense popularity in Europe and Asia, with skilled riders showcasing their freestyle tricks. Lexus even featured a Korean girl with amazing boardwalking skills in one of their ads.

Q: How does Loaded Boards prioritize sustainability in their brand?

Loaded Boards places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. They use non-toxic materials, such as biobased epoxies, in their products and continue to explore more sustainable options.

Q: Why does Loaded Boards value independence and avoid outside funding?

Loaded Boards prefers to be self-sustaining and maintain control over their brand. They want to make decisions in line with their values and avoid having to prioritize financial goals over ethical considerations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Loaded Boards experienced discomfort with the concept of longboard dancing initially but embraced the trend due to the passion of one of their ambassadors.

• Longboard dancing has become a phenomenon in Europe and Asia and is gaining popularity in the US.

• Loaded Boards focuses on spreading stoke, creating high-quality products, and incorporating environmental sustainability into their brand.