Tell us about how you got into skateboarding?
Watching the 1998’s Games in 1999 with my friends. We bought 1 complete board that we shared between 4 friends. Every week, one friend had it. After a few months, my dad decided to buy me a skateboard.
How did you come up with the name Clayer?
Well, our products are mostly French Healing Clay, I wanted something short, catchy which is in link with the product. And Clayer came up.
Is it hard to build a team? What does it take to be part of your team?
In some way it depends on the competition, the quality of your products, the image of your brand, the relationship with the rider and the kind of rider. It takes a lot of different details to start getting a team. When you have the right people, it follows.
But at Clayer, when we started, Jake Brown was the 1st rider, as he is the one who pushed me to start my company. In 2016, it was also the beginning of the CBD industry, and most riders who tried and asked for Clayer got sponsored by CBD companies and got good pay. And even that, they kept asking for Clayer, but it made it tough, as we could not use their name.
Our team is not like any team, it is a group of riders who use Clayer because it helps them recover faster and skate more. A group of riders who support us and believe in us as much as we believe in them.
To be part of the team, you must have used the products, be cool, have a good following and a good reputation. We don’t send free products to riders we don’t know or are not referred to by one of our top riders. But if you meet me or someone who can put a good word to me, you may get lucky 😉
With the industry being flooded with new pros that we never heard of from smaller brands. What’s your opinion on that?
Skateboarding has grown, and we see groms killing it, and woman being betterthan most guys. I think the Olympic influenced. I think it is cool to see more and more riders getting better and better, it helps the industry. But (new) skateboarders must remember to skate for themselves and for what it is and means to them. Being sponsored or becoming pro should not be a goal or purpose. And I rather see skateboarders than kids selling drugs or doing bad things. Skateboarding is something good for the mind.
What makes Clayer different than other brands out-there?
It is important to mention that we are not a simple products company, we are in business to help and support people moving forward:
Clayer is for those who chase their dreams, for those who don’t let anything stop them from accomplishing greatness. And when it comes to challenges like injuries, that’s when we are here, in those difficult times, to help recover faster and get back stronger to the road of success. This is what moving forward means and Clayer stands for.
That is why our products are:
Efficient: scientifically proven, tested, used, and recommended by top riders and athletes, including health professionals from around the world. Clayer is about healing, not just relief!
Healthy: ingredients certified 100% natural, certified Non-toxic and doping free, with no chemicals added
Eco-Friendly: Recycled/recyclable plastic, and in 2023, we are switching to Plastic Free packaging
Affordable: Because your health matters and you should have access to products like those.
Moving Forward together to a greater future for yourself, the Planet and the next générations.
Do you or do you have someone come up with the graphics for Clayer?
I have someone who helps with the graphics. Yes, I give the directions of what I think we need, and he makes the design needed according to.
Do you think it’s hard from being from France to get your brand out-there compared to some brand from Cali?
I am French, I have been in CA for almost 10 years. Clayer started in 2016 in CA, and 2018 in France.
It is definitely easier to start a business in the USA than France or Europe.
It is not easy to get your brand out there, specifically with no money. But having the right team, being consistent, always adapting, having a great product will definitely help. It is possible, but nothing is easy! If it was, everybody would do it.
Let’s say: I’m a shop owner, you come to my shop & you want me to carry your brand. How would you get me to carry Clayer in my store?
The question is not how I will get you to carry Clayer, my question is how close are you to your community and riders? How much do you care about skateboarding and skateboarders?
Because if you care, carry a skateboarder’s own brand that helps the riders to recover faster and spend more time on a skateboard, while the product is not only proven to work, but also healthy and affordable. The question is, why would you not carry it? Knowing we offer great conditions, low MOQ and % of your order will be added in free products for you to use as marketing/samples.
What is Tibs day like?
My day is like riding between social media, content, orders, making products, coordinating the team, responding to emails, while trying to find the time to skate, hang out with friends.
Every day is different, new challenges, events, always something. Very interesting, exciting but also intense and not easy. It doesn’t mean I don’t love it. Simply living the dream every day.
Thank you for talking with us & wish you the best of luck with Clayer. Is there anything you want to say to someone that wants to start their own brand?
I would say, it’s like skateboarding, be ready to get hurt, be ready to enjoy doing it, surround yourself with good people, and mostly, never give up!
