Skateboarding and the Entrepreneur

“You have to risk going too far to discover just how far you can really go.”
 T.S. Eliot
 

Christian Hosoi rocking the Christ Air

Here @ Lost we love to look to people who inspire us and who pave the way for a new path. Breaking new ground in a world set in one grove, skipping that needle and starting a new movement. 

Skateboarding of the early 70s was drab, silly tricks, staid rules and just not cool. But a set of guys broke those rules and broke though to the public. Influencing not just popular culture in a major way, but business innovation also. 

Over the next few articles we will be profiling some of the greatest names in skateboarding and entrepreneurship, exploring the links between what they do and how they think. It is not uncommon for many of the greats of Skateboarding to also be truly self-made millionaires and innovative Business people. 

One of the reasons for this is the obvious need to make a living at a time when the sport didn't provide one. But the sheer innovation, risk taking and persistence is ingrained into the individual through the sport and the crossover to entrepreneur is not the leap it first appears. 

From Tony Alva and the Zephyr Crew, Stacey Peralta and Bones Brigade through Lance Mountain and the finger board. All the way to Rob Derek's Fantasy Factory serial entrepreneurship and philanthropy. 

From the new entrepreneur, to that kid or adult in love with a sport, an idea, a hobby that everyone around says their is no way to make a living, grow up, get real. These skateboarders showed that not only is there a living in your passion but much, much more. For each person, dreaming their own dream, living their own life they can learn a lot from these innovators. 

Let's leave it to the great Rodney Mullen to highlight some really great ideas on innovation and growth. (and check out that dark-slide)