Tell us about how you got into skateboarding?
I grew up in a small little town called Salinas. I remember seeing older dudes skate this spot near my house called fire lanes which became my spot years later. My dad would take me to watch them skate. I loved it. I thought it was the raddest thing I had ever seen.
I fell in love with it. I remember discovering Bill’s Wheels skate shop when I was like 8. Tucked back in this little corner of a strip mall in North Salinas. I went there and bought this super sick drawing that this dude Aric (aka Pear-TITS Crew) had drawn. They were tripping that I wanted to buy the dudes’ drawings. I got it for $15 bucks. Man I wish I still had that thing. It was a dude skating some quarter pipe in Venice Beach. It was all just so dope to me. I fell in love with it all and never looked back.
How did you come up with the name Shalom Clothing ?
I was floating on a Navy ship put in the bay of San Diego. I got the idea to start a clothing brand and wanted to do something good for others. I had become very spiritual at that point in my life and I felt called to spread PEACE. I didn’t just want the brand to be called peace clothing…I started to pray and one night I woke up with the name in my head. SHALOM – It just clicked and made sense. Since SHALOM means peace, it felt like the right name for the brand.
Is it hard to build a team? What does it take to be part of your team?
Short answer = YES, extremely hard. Well 1st I look to see how skilled someone is. Then I talk to them. You have to have a good attitude on and off the board and also be a good person. I like to spend a little time with each person to see how they are in the world. If your overall vibe represents peace and goodness to yourself and others, and you have skills then you’re on. If you are down of course.
With the industry being flooded with new pros that we never heard of from smaller brands. What’s your opinion on that?
I love seeing new skaters and new pros. I mean let us face it, we all age. And the best pros 15 years ago are just getting old. There’s so many talented kids out there and I feel that everyone deserves a chance to shine. As far as brands are concerned, I love to see people being entrepreneurial and trying to do something. I do feel like some people just want to make stuff to look cool and they have no message and purpose behind what they are doing. When I see brands like this I get a little sad. We don’t really need more clothes on this planet. So there’s definitely a lot of stuff and brands that may have a place. I am more interested in what a brand offers or does to make change.
What makes Shalom different than other brands out-there?
We spread a message with everything we do. To our graphics, to our skate team, to our core team of people who run the brand. We really stand behind PEACE as the driving force for all that we do. I see other brands that will try to use peace as a theme for a season and it just seems fake to me.
Do you or have someone produce the designs for Shalom?
I do the majority of the graphics and design the clothing and headwear. I sometimes hire my friends or graphic designers that I like. I always give directions for the graphics though. I love coming up with new ideas and testing them out and seeing them come to life.
Do you think it’s hard from being from to get your brand out-there compare to some brand from Cali?
Well, I am from Cali. I think with social media nowadays it does not really matter where you are. So much has changed in that realm where you can just blow up online overnight.
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 Shalom in my store?
Well I would get to know a little about your shop 1st. Then I would talk to you about our brand, let you know that we promote peace and have a team. Then talk about doing a limited collabo with our brand that will help the shop make more money. Since we print our own stuff we can design and print shop merch. So that’s an incentive for shops if they need that help. Then I would go to the local park or scene and give out some gear to the kids to hype them up. You and I would know some of the same people as well so I would try to see what we relate to and build a bridge between us that’s familiar and dope. Start to get to know each other and what we care about as humans. Really work on connecting as people and also how we can make money together.
What is Jacob’s day like?
My day is like: getting up around 7am. Opening my blinds and looking at the trees and river. Then I usually give thanks for waking up healthy and sober and clear. I think about the day and what needs to be done. I get up, shower, eat my homemade chia pudding, make my organic coffee which I blend with coconut milk creamer and coconut oil, then usually do a little stretching and also push-ups. Depends on how I am feeling that day. Then I sit down and make a list for the day if it’s not already done and start tackling the list. I spend the 1st half of the day doing design work for Shalom, or clients, then hit lunch around noonish and come back and go into my shop. That’s where I print, sew, and do embroidery. Each day is different down there. I may have to print shalom stuff, ship out orders, or do customer jobs, or if I have some down time I sew kimonos that I make and sell under my name. Then I usually end the day around 6ish with a business dinner with my biz partner or my lady or with friends. Something fun is happening. I will go out and dance and or vend at local spots. I am usually in bed by 9 if I stay home. I like to watch movies or do puzzles or play chess to wind down. Or read. I end the night with a 21 min meditation that helps me fall asleep. Then up and do it again and again.
Thank you for talking with us & wish you the best of luck with ( Shalom ). Is there anything you want to say to someone that wants to start their own brand?
Well I would start with something that you’re really passionate about. A cause or a theme. If you’re not dedicated to your theme or cause you will burn out and not want to do it. So, you need to love it. And then think about maybe working for a brand 1st and why you want to start a brand. There’s a lot of brands out there now and a lot of stuff that we don’t need. So really deep dive into your why and move from that place. Hope that helps. – shalom and best of luck to everyone
