Heavy Skateboards

[october]

I've been working on starting Heavy Skateboards for the last year or so, with deployments to Afghanistan, and now school full time getting in the way. It's been a slow, exciting process so far, but I now have the ability to go at it full force. I have been able to work with great artist like my friend Derek, and AyeJay, and couldnt be happier in the graphic department.

I finally was able to commit to using Pennswood as well, which I believe is the best move. I was hoping to get a general opinon on what shapes/concave everyone is into. I have skated generally flat shapes the past 14 years, and I'm not a fan of a lot of concave. However, I obviously want to produce what is most liked. What I generally hear from friends is to go with Deluxe styel shapes and concaves.

I'm currently looking for a new web designer, and always wanting to working with more artists/graphic designers. I'm not looking to get rich by any means, just looking to have alot of fun, and give back to a community that has given alot to me.

I had the opportunity to open a shop with a friend, but have decided against that to pursue this. I would also appreciate any advice/tips/feedback. Sorry for the long, awkward post. I'd like to make up for my lameness by doing a few give-a-ways next month.

[october]

Yea, when I first started out over a year ago, I had never heard of Heavy Wheels. After I invested quite a bit of time in logos, graphics, it was pointed out to me that the wheel company existed. I see no problem with it. I really like their team, and what theyre doing as well.

Aye Jay is sick. I couldnt be happier with his work, and plan on using him for as many projects as possible.

I know it can be difficult starting a "company", but I see this as a fun project. Being based out of Charleston, SC, I'm just looking forward to giving back to the skate community here, making friends, and having fun.

Thanks for the response homie.

[october]

Charleston is an amazing city. Being in the Marine Corps the past 5 years, I lived in San Diego, then moved to San Francisco right when I got out of the military. I couldn't wait to move back to Charleston. The skate community is awesome, and has tons of potential.

I also have family in Columbia. I have emailed Dave at Bluetile, but never got a response back. I have heard they arent big on carrying new brands. Hopefully I do get the opportunity later on to have them carry Heavy. Bluetile is easily one of the best shops I have ever been to, and I have literally been to hundreds over many states.

I plan on doing alot of travel, and trying to spread Heavy as far as possible. Savannah, Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia. The southeast is a great place, with some awesome skating going on. I'm excited about the possibilities.

[brokenheadphone]

1. If you expect the company to grow beyond your immediate geographic area someday, change the name. Do a copyright search and come up with a name no one else is using for skateboarding related products, then have the name copyrighted. Think of your graphics/logo investment as a sunk cost...doing things the right way will save you a lot of trouble later.

2. Think about what your company is offering compared to what else is out there and what your market niche is. Pennswood is great, but a lot of shops use them for their shop boards. If you're just doing standard DLX/Bareback type shapes, no one is going to order your decks and wait for them to arrive when they can just go down to their local skateshop and buy a DLX/Bareback deck or shop brand deck.

3. If you care about selling to older skaters (age 30s+), think about offering wider boards (8.5''-9'') with interesting shapes, decent concave, and proportional wheelbases (15'' minimum on an 8.5'' deck). My personal opinion is that this is an overlooked market because older skaters generally have more disposable income than you're typical teenage kid, often have multiple setups, etc. Personally, I buy decks via mailorder from small companies (Big Mess, Five Points, Old Man Army, Deckcrafters, etc.) not only because I like to support these small companies but also because they offer the kind of boards I like and can't get from a typical skateshop , mega stores like CCS, etc.

[GZA liquidswords]

i agree that starting a brand might be your better bet as shops are hard to keep open, i worked at the one we had and we had a good 4 year run but needless to say without a strong scene supporting it, its hard to get by. as for board preferences i usually skate between 8.25 and 8.5 and a little on the flat side, you should post some of the graphics/art work on here once everything is up and rolling, best of luck dude!

[BRIX SKWIKZ]

CHANGE THE BRAND NAME, NOBODY I KNOW WANTS A HEAVY SKATEBOARD  

[iLuhTahGOLF]

give it the shape of a girl deck, the wood of a dlx deck, and the feel of a kayo deck and that would be the best board ever

[EARL***THE***PEARL]

I'm no expert but do you think naming a board company "heavy" is a smart move?

[tortfeasor]

Good luck in your endeavors.  It's rough out there, but it sounds like you're really trying to go the extra mile and use quality stuff.  Aye Jay is a great dude as well.  The only issue I would see would be the name since it's already a skater ran wheel company that's got a nice little team of rippers.

http://heavywheels.com/

and the rush to the trademark office begins

http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/index.jsp

[pencil]

give it the shape of a girl deck, the wood of a dlx deck, and the feel of a kayo deck and that would be the best board ever

[poowizard]

Strangebird Dist. is gonna send out their goon! Look for a fat, balding, beer drinking dude with a beannie on that will show up at your doorstep and breathe all over you until you give up the name Heavy. Word is born.

All kidding aside. It's kinda weird to use "Heavy" if its ABD.

Although you mentioned that you have a lot invested in graphics and logos, I would maybe try something else.

2 cents

[Dontfearthereefer]

should just name it babykiller skateboards, being military and all

[BRIX SKWIKZ]

should just name it babykiller skateboards

[pica]

just rename your brand to spitfire skateboards. I see no problem with it. I really like their team, and what theyre doing as well.

[Seamus_McShamebag]

should just name it babykiller skateboards, being military and all

[_aminal]

Word is born.

what?

[Fletschinger]

I ran my own small company foe about 3 yrs.  I myself had to rely on web and graphic people because I don't  know how to do that stuff.  It turned into a nightmare waiting for artwork when I can't pay someone to do it.  I had a good dude working on it but he was on his own schedule and I was hardly paying him to do it.  Same for web. Once it's up its cut and paste for updates, etc.. But getting it right for little money is tough. 

As for boards I started with chapman, they are the worst.  The wood was ok, and they make a great mellow concave "black line", but had a messed up order they tried to stick me with.    Next was penns.  They too have a great mellow mold, and maybe my timing was off, but I hit a bunch of delays with product which hurt my sales and never got a straight answer.  Joe who runs it is a great dude, and hopefully they are running faster now.  I also had problems with graphics with them, full color art costs an arm and a leg.  Hopefully that changed as well.  Last I used was south central, which I would back one hundred percent!   Best mellow kick mold, best wood " my riders loved them, so did I.
They give free top one color art as well as long as you put made in USA on it. 

My problem with the brand was every local shop going under.  Getting into a random shop out of area is a pain with consignment . And if it does sell you have to get paid.  Total nightmare.  I also gave too much to my riders.  And most of their filters kept footy for their own videos. Since I wasn't able to pay, I can't blame them for keeping it, but it def. hurt the company.  Once I had my first kid I wasn't able to go out as much and film myself.   Sorry to bore everyone, just figured I actually had something to add.

Oh, as for the name, it all depends how it's layed out. I remember hearing about habitat and thinking it was horrible,  then seeing it laid out and thinking it was amazing. 

[finecojeffe]

Expand Quote

Word is born.

[close]

what?

it's a common take on word is bond. Common enough that it's become acceptable and usually unquestioned.

[poowizard]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Word is born.

[close]

what?

[close]

it's a common take on word is bond. Common enough that it's become acceptable and usually unquestioned.

Thanks for clarifying, I didn't know the connection myself but now I do. Radical.

[poowizard]

I ran my own small company foe about 3 yrs.  I myself had to rely on web and graphic people because I don't  know how to do that stuff.  It turned into a nightmare waiting for artwork when I can't pay someone to do it.  I had a good dude working on it but he was on his own schedule and I was hardly paying him to do it.  Same for web. Once it's up its cut and paste for updates, etc.. But getting it right for little money is tough. 

As for boards I started with chapman, they are the worst.  The wood was ok, and they make a great mellow concave "black line", but had a messed up order they tried to stick me with.    Next was penns.  They too have a great mellow mold, and maybe my timing was off, but I hit a bunch of delays with product which hurt my sales and never got a straight answer.  Joe who runs it is a great dude, and hopefully they are running faster now.  I also had problems with graphics with them, full color art costs an arm and a leg.  Hopefully that changed as well.  Last I used was south central, which I would back one hundred percent!   Best mellow kick mold, best wood " my riders loved them, so did I.
They give free top one color art as well as long as you put made in USA on it. 

My problem with the brand was every local shop going under.  Getting into a random shop out of area is a pain with consignment . And if it does sell you have to get paid.  Total nightmare.  I also gave too much to my riders.  And most of their filters kept footy for their own videos. Since I wasn't able to pay, I can't blame them for keeping it, but it def. hurt the company.  Once I had my first kid I wasn't able to go out as much and film myself.   Sorry to bore everyone, just figured I actually had something to add.

Oh, as for the name, it all depends how it's layed out. I remember hearing about habitat and thinking it was horrible,  then seeing it laid out and thinking it was amazing. 

Good Stuff. I've skated one south central board, and it was pretty good. It said made in the USA on the topsheet as well.

[Ayejay]

It was a match made on slap! I saw b's post on here last year and hollered at him. It's been super fun to work on, with a lot of leeway for me to contribute concepts and ideas. I love doing board art for big companies but the indie stuff is super fun too, I think they can coexist. If anyone is interested there's graphics previews on their insta (heavyskateboards) and somewhere on mine (ayejaydotcom) but I post a lot so it may be back a bit

[october]

I appreciate the intelligent responses. Alot of useful advice here.

When I originally got with Aye Jay and Derek Ward to do graphics for me, there was no Heavy Wheels. I had several graphics done, had the name trademarked, and went forward with Heavy Skateboards. Like I said before, I had several things slow me down, so I put Heavy on hold a few times. I was then told about Heavy Wheels about 9 months ago, and wasn't too worried about it. At the time I was just a small local company, having fun. I in now way shape or form, started my project using the same name as another company in the same industry. I have contacted Heavy Wheels a few times to just kind of get their take on the situation, but have yet to get a response. I do understand the problem, and even though I have gone through the legal process of protecting my brand, I am looking into "altering" the name. I just see this as an opportunity to be more creative, and hopefully separate myself from the many brands starting up every day. I do feel this will work out for the better now.

I did try to get ahold of South Central a few times by email and phone, but with no luck. I hear nothing but good about them, but Joe at Pennswood has been great to deal with, and I couldnt be happier with my choice.

I did "meet" Aye Jay through Slap, and can say the dude is insanely talented. I intend to use him for as many graphics as possible. Definitely hit up Instagram @heavyskateboards and @ayejaydotcom to check out some stuff. I will be updating it alot more over the new week when I sort out this brand name mess.

Thanks for the support and feedback. I will have to keep that "babykiller" name in mind, haha.

[Monty Burns]

Is she single now ?  always been smoking hot .  Maybe I can take her out for dinner

[layzieyez]

Babykiller might be ultimately more marketable.  I see a graphic of a station wagon full of kids sinking in a lake while the mom stands on the shore rehearsing fake-crying.

[Maxell Oneal]

Finally someone from South Carolina I thought I was alone in this state!

[october]

Yup, born and raised in Charleston. There's always been a great skate scene here. Where are you at man? I'm always looking to meet new people to get up and skate with.

[DirtMaKirk]

http://elizabethweinberg.com/brian-wenning#/id/i4267764

[formeitscrazylike]

Definitely consider a name change. Just think of people telling others about it not already in the know.
"I'm tryin to get a Heavy board."
"Why would you want a deck with more weight?"

Don't mean to shit all over your company title, but I think it will cause confusion that could hurt your business.

That being said, best of luck to you!

[UgolinoTheSignificant]

http://elizabethweinberg.com/brian-wenning#/id/i4267764

thank you for this.

also, don't use pennswood. south central is better.

[finecojeffe]

Expand Quote

http://elizabethweinberg.com/brian-wenning#/id/i4267764

[close]

thank you for this.

also, don't use pennswood. south central is better.

just curious, why? I'm not sure I've ever skated a south central deck, but I've definitely skated a lot of pennswood ones and they're nice. In looking at the sc website they don't elaborate on their transfer method which makes me think it's digital instead of screen transfer, which in my opinion is subpar.