Tell us about how you got into skateboarding?
I got into skateboarding because at age 12 I had a lot of friends who started so I followed suit. One of them who moved away gave me his rail and then later passed away in the military overseas. I painted it red, white, and blue as a tribute to who got me into skateboarding. He gave me so much in giving me skateboarding 2 decades later I am still doing it.
How did you come up with the name Knife Party Skateboards?
I was at the skatepark with my coowner and art director James Lloyd when we were talking about his dream to make a skateboard company as an artist and have his graphics on a skateboard. I had some extra money, so I became the financial backer to the company. Jokingly we thought what would kids like in a skate company name. We joke around about kids like knives and parties and jokingly Knife Party Skateboards stick, and our company was officially made with printed decks on October 20th, 2010. Not to be confused with the band Knife Party which was started in 2011 in Australia.
Is it hard to build a team? What does it take to be part of your team?
For me, it was not hard to build a team. It initially started with Landen who killed it on board but also supported us. As time went on, we added people I knew and were close to that we are good skaters as well. I envisioned Knife Party to be about fun but also a skate family as well. All riders knew me personally before joining the team.
With the industry being flooded with new pros that we never heard of from smaller brands. What is your opinion on that?
It is great in my opinion. It opens the opportunity for lesser-known guys to be seen and get coverage the same way smaller brands like ourselves are coming up. I love skateboarding and support those who love it too and can make something of it and leave their mark on the sport.
What makes Knife Party Skateboards different than other brands out there?
We are here for fun! We offer a pro-quality product at a cheaper price point so kids can enjoy what we enjoy, skateboarding. Our name is a little silly and so are some of our graphics because it is about what matters most is fun and self-expression of fun!
Do you or do you have someone come up with the graphics for Knife Party Skateboards?
Our co-owner and graphic designer, James Lloyd, is our oversight on all our graphics. Sometimes I’ll come up with a rudimentary idea or my IT website guy who’s my brother Jesse will help with a graphic but James makes the final designs for print and does an amazing job on top of all his full time and freelance work he’s already doing.
Do you think it is hard from being from Idaho to get your brand out-there compare to some brand from Cali?
Yes and no. There are some definite challenges with fewer shops and less coverage, but Idaho has a good support system for local brands and businesses. For that, I am grateful for it.
Let us say: I am a shop owner, you come to my shop & you want me to carry your brand. How would you get me to carry Knife Party Skateboards in my store?
First off, we offer a lower price point to shops and our graphics are awesome. That is a huge selling point for shops. Lots of them are willing to work with us in Idaho since we’re local and we represent core skateboarding. We also work on terms that work with the shop’s needs as well.
What is Jeremy Vincent’s day like?
I work as an RN in mental health as a career so that takes up a lot of my time as well as my family. Regarding the skate company staying in touch with shops making sure they are stocked. Filming for the full-length Knife Party Skateboards video “Take a Stab at it” and lots of social media and selling local decks when we can. Making new graphic ideas working on inventory and skateboarding myself when I can. It is fun and I love it so that is why I do it so much! If something is not fun! Do not do it! But I love skateboarding and love Knife Party Skateboards.
Thank you for talking with us & wish you the best of luck with Knife Party Skateboards. Is there anything you want to say to someone that wants to start their brand?
Do it! It is fun and if you love something to build it into what you want it to
