Tell us about how you got into skateboarding?
I grew up in a very small town in Missouri. I became interested in skateboarding when our small town built a new ARC skate-park. I had never seen anything like that besides video games, X-Games, or movies. I loved the idea of being able to challenge myself on my own without a coach telling me what to do, how to look, how to act, etc. Having that freedom of expression is what has kept me addicted to it.
How did you come up with the name Varsity?
When I wanted to build our company/team I wanted to build a family. The name Varsity comes from the thought that I wanted to sponsor dudes that have a hard work ethic. We may not be “the best” but like any Varsity team, I want to make sure whatever we do, we give it our all.
Is it hard to build a team? What does it take to be part of your team?
Building a team is difficult. The guys on our team are positive, hardworking, and have a huge heart for people. To be on our team you must be more than just a ripping skateboarder. The people on our team are constantly giving back to the skateboard community. Some teach skate camps, some meet with skateboarders weekly and bring free pizza, some teach discipleship programs, some even tutor other skateboarders. Everybody wants a sponsor. Everybody wants free stuff. Rarely do skateboarders have the heart to give back to the skateboarding community.
With the industry being flooded with new pros that we never heard of from smaller brands. What’s your opinion on that?
It’s no secret that the market is becoming overly saturated with companies and new pros weekly. In my opinion, there are still so many opportunities for talented skateboarders. There aren’t many opportunities to have skateboarding completely pay the bills, but we can continue to create opportunities to do what we love. Nobody started skateboarding for a sponsor or a check, they did it because they love it. The faster we realize our paths don’t all look the same, the faster we can find our purpose to contribute to keeping skateboarding rad.
What makes Varsity Shades different than other brands out there?
We exist to make a difference. Our goal is to make quality products, but our heart is to make an impact in the lives of skateboarders. In my opinion, skateboarders are the most determined and driven group of people. It’s crushing to see them get taken too early from this life because of a lost battle to addiction or depression.
Do you or do you have someone come up with the designs for Varsity?
For the most part, I do a lot of design work. Luckily, we have talented skateboarders who are also talented artists! Cory Romeiser does some amazing typography work. He’s done some designs for our t-shirts, thumbnails, and different graphic media as well. We normally try to do a few collaborations a year with different companies to help support and market each other.
Do you think it’s hard being from Kansas City to get your brand out there in comparison to some brands from Cali?
It may be more difficult because skateboarding isn’t accepted as well as it is in California. However, I feel like we’re given a chance to show the Midwest that skateboarding is here to stay. It’s not a trend, it’s not something negative, it’s a community of driven people. We’re blessed here in Kansas City to have a skate shop like Escapist who continues to impact our community by bringing in professional skateboarders, having demos, hosting art shows, planning premieres, and constantly throwing huge events. We want to be a part of the mold that proves that you can be involved in skateboarding without moving to California.
Let’s say: I’m a shop owner, you come to my shop & you want me to carry. How would you get me to carry Varsity Shades in my store?
Shout out to all the shop owners out there! Our heart is very much like yours. We’re skater owned, skater operated, and exist to bring a community of skateboarders together to encourage, grow, and overcome. The money that is spent on our products goes right back into skateboarding. The profit is used to put on rad events, feed the less fortunate, donate soft/hard goods to the financially unstable, and speak life into the kids who have a healthy relationship with their skateboard but may have an unstable one at home.
What is Dylan’s day like?
So, my days vary from day today. Not only do I run Varsity Shades, but I also work full-time at The University of Kansas Hospital, volunteer quite a bit at my church, and still find the time to skate. You make time for the things you love. I’m sure a lot of those reading this have had friends who quit skating because their life becomes too busy. I’ll say it again, you make time for the things you love. The things that are constant in my day all start in the morning. I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, I’m a believer. I spend the first part of my morning in prayer and meditation. I’m also a planner. I like to physically plan what I need to get done that day. After the foundation for my day is set, it’s usually followed by coffee, some work in my home office, and a decent amount of stretching before I skate. Take care of your body, kids!
Thank you for talking with us & wish you the best of luck with Varsity Shades. Is there anything you want to say to someone that wants to start their brand?
Thank you, guys, for always giving us rad opportunities to share our vision and values! If you want to start your brand here are a few Varsity tips!
Start small and plan big.
Learn how to accept good feedback, reject bad feedback, and know the difference between the two.
Quality is always more important than quantity.
Don’t forget why you started!
