Ask any local avid skateboarder about Vancouver’s skate scene and they’ll tell you it’s one of the best; from scenic seawall cruising to endless hills, our skate spots are incomparable to nearly anywhere else across Canada. Portobello West got the chance to interview Joshua Rice, a Vancouver local who is not only enthusiastic about skateboarding but also the founder of Would Boards, a sustainable skateboard business based in Kits.
“Would Boards is a local cruiser board company. Each board is handmade using sustainable and reclaimed hardwoods. Our mission is to deliver quality goods that encompass simplicity and originality.” By merging his passion of skateboarding with an ethical approach towards crafting his product, Josh has created a business that all skateboarders can be eager to support.
The inspiration for these iconic boards are “heavily influenced from both surf and skate boards of yester-years,” and “pay homage to the 60’s style cruiser.” As skateboarders, “the beach and the great outdoors play a very serious role in our lives, so we try to integrate that as much as possible in the fabrication of all our products.” With the small local touches added to the boards it’s clear that the final products are made in Vancouver, a label that Would Boards is proud to have. “Whether it’s the birds feather, the mountains of our logo, or the local beach sand we use as grip; I suppose Mother Nature should get some design credit too.”
The steady skateboarding scene in our city offers a supportive community, but also proposes a potential struggle for small business owners. “We are fortunate to have created a steady following, and customers who are crazy about our product,” says Josh when asked about the importance of customer’s relations in regards to his business. “In our first year we have stuck heavily to a ‘grass-roots’ approach. We personally attend the markets, fairs and festivals to meet any and all present or future customers. We understand how important positive feedback and good word of mouth is in such a niche market, so we make sure we are on the front line of every interaction.” As someone who truly understands this industry and what customer’s value, Josh has been able to bring exactly that to the skateboarding community. “Started over a year ago Would Boards ™ now has a myriad of boards being ridden from Toronto to Sydney.”
Being a local vendor here in Vancouver has a lot of meaning to Would Boards. “We love representing our boards in Van City. First of all its where WoBo’s were born, secondly, it is the west coast mentality that helped shape Would Boards into the lifestyle brand it has become. Vancouver has the best Canadian market we could hope for: down to earth, environmentally responsible, active and health oriented people.” Feedback has been nothing but positive for Would Boards, from “skaters and surfers, art enthusiasts, woodworkers or moms and dads,” and they could not be more psyched that “when an excited customer finds the right Would Board and walks away carrying not just a board, but our story”.
Written by: Kelli Klassen
VISIT the Would Boards Website: http://www.wouldboards.com/
LIKE Would Boards on Facebook: https: https://www.facebook.com/wouldboards
TWEET Would Boards on Twitter: https: https://twitter.com/would_boards