Tell us about how you got into skateboarding?
It was so long ago… I was about 13 years old; I think I saw some kids riding in my middle school parking lot and I was hooked. I grew up in a rural area, so there weren’t any skate shops that I knew of nearby. I think I asked for a board for Christmas from CCS magazine, basically before the internet was big. I don’t remember what board I had… possibly a CCS blank or something like that.
How did you come up with the name Errands Brand?
A few years back I would tell my boss that I was taking a “skate lunch breaks” at work. I would get the rolling eyes, and he would hint that It would be wise if I could stay and get some “more work done instead…” Then I started telling them I had to “run errands”, and I would just go skate, no questions asked and no more eye rolls!!
Is it hard to build a team? What does it take to be part of your team?
Yes, it’s hard to build a team. Every person on my team has a unique story behind it. Whether they knew me from a contest that I was hosting, or whether they were a friend of the squad, or whether it was the right place at the right time. A few “sponsor me” pleas have worked in the past.
What does it take? There’s no magic formula, you must seem to gel with me and the other skaters. You don’t necessarily have to be the best of the best, but you must make an impression one way or another.
With the industry being flooded with new pros that we never heard of from smaller brands. What’s your opinion on that?
My opinion on new pros we have never heard of is this: I’m hyped on ’em! Especially if they are bringing character or something unique or different to the table, style goes a long way. Everyone working hard out there should get an opportunity to shine, and that’s one reason why small brands like us exist, let’s grow together! Every single skater out there can’t ride for just the big names; the smaller name skaters will get lost in the long list of big-name pros.
What makes Errands Brand different than other brands out there?
Well, first, I make the risers I sell out of my basement. Secondly, we make custom risers, not many other smaller brands out there make standard risers, let alone custom thin risers. We’re an east coast brand, but we don’t hate on the left coast, we don’t sell skateboards; we aren’t focused on soft goods. Our focus is on developing quality skateboard hardgoods (bearings, hardware, griptape, risers and axle nuts), and keeping skateboarding light, fun, and stress-free. I also involve some of my riders in decisions about the brand and products as well.
Do you or do you have someone come up with the graphics and logos for Errands Brand?
Most of the time, I have a rough idea of what I want, but I don’t have graphic design skills personally, so I’ll send a napkin sketch over to a few different homies who have helped me in the past with logos, flyers, and website stuff.
Do you think it’s hard from being from Maryland to get your brand out-there compare to some brand from Cali?
Yes and no. I’d say because we aren’t “some brand from Cali” that kind of gives us a small advantage because some people are more interested once I say that. But it’s also a disadvantage because all the publicity and big names are in Cali. Social media has been a big help and you really don’t need to be out there as much anymore.
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 Errands Brand in my store?
Every shop owner is different. Some shop owners get a gist of what I’m about and want to back it immediately. Other’s take convincing. Most of the time, I get no callbacks, no follow-ups, and DM left on “read”. It requires a delicate balance of being annoying, but not overly annoying if that makes any sense, hahaha. They also must see that I am in it because I love skateboarding, and not for the money either.
What is Dan’s day like?
Nothing exciting at this point… Wake up, deal with 2 little rug-rats, 3S’s, no wake and bake cause I have a job that doesn’t allow it, Go to work at about 7, on a good day home around 5:15 or so, dinner, play with and put kids to bed. Sometimes my wife is very gracious and puts the kids to bed and lets me go skate a local skate park (Hillside Skatepark in Frederick, MD) that is open late with lights. After that, close to 11 or midnight, I work in time for the brand. Currently typing this up at 12:44 AM. (Hence the name, Midnight Hardware)
Thank you for talking with us & wish you the best of luck with Errands Brand. Is there anything you want to say to someone that wants to start their own brand?
One big thing that helped a lot is doing local events. That really made the skaters know who you are and what you’re about. I ran the Maryland Skate League for a few years before I started the brand, and that’s how I connected with most of the local skaters I know, and some of my riders. If you’re not into hosting events, even just going out to the local skatepark and chillin’ with other skaters there, that’s enough to get started. Strike up a convo. Give ‘em a sticker. Stickers go a long way and cheap if you buy a bunch. Don’t sell your stuff in the parking lot. Sell them in your local skate shop and point kids that way.
