Tom
02-20-2006, 10:44 PM
It's that time of the month again ladies and gentlemen! It's time to sit down and chat with this month's Member of the Month! After a very close race in the polls, Daniel Jones has come out as the month's top user. What does this mean? Well, I got the chance to sit down with Mr.Jones and have a little discussion about all the questions you guys and gals wanted to know. Without any further waiting, let's get this interview on the go!
#1. How did you start skateboarding?
Just picked up a wal-mart board and went for it!
#2. How long have you been skateboarding?
A little over two years. One street, one freestyle. Now I'm mixing the two, about 25% oldschool street and 75% freestyle.
#3. What is your setup?
Haha, kids always ask them, and I tell them I don't even know. Right now I think it's a sk8kings complete. If you were to come to me on an average day of skating and ask me, for instance, what my trucks were, I'd have to say about 25% Grind King 50% Tracker, and 25% Krux, or something like that. My board is usually just whatever I have lying around the house, because I break parts a lot, but I don't have much money to buy new stuff.
#4. Why did you come on skaterscafe/How did you find it?
Haha, I googled "skateboard forum" and posted a spam post trying to get people to buy from my skateboard company (which I had just started.) For some reason the mods had mercy on me, and I've been here ever since! :D
#5. Greatest achievement(moment)on a skateboard?
Ehh, I don't know. Primo slides were pretty important to me, because they opened a ton of new tricks. I think I'd have to say when I switched over to freestyle, that was the greatest moment in my skating, because I was finally where I was supposed to be, and progressing at a good rate. It just keeps getting better though.
#6. Whos your favourite skater and why?
Natas Kaupas and Rodney Mullen. Both huge innovators, and totally creative. They made skating into what they thought it should be, instead of following other people's lead.
#7. What do you think people will
remember you by?
I hope people remember me by my strong passion for loving Jesus and loving others. That's what my whole life is about, the rest is just other small tidbits.
#8. Will you ever cut your hair?
No.:D Actually, I trim my own hair every now and again. Only when it gets really long. Right now I'm in the process of growing my hair out so it's all one length (almost there!) and then I plan on growing it out real hippy like. Long, blond hair, just like Stacy Peralta or some other Z-boy. That is, of course, if my mom or dad don't cut my hair in my sleep, haha.
#9. Where would life have taken you if you hadnt found a skateboard?
Hmm, I'd be a geek. I was pretty much a geek until I picked up a skateboard, then I started changing. I really don't think that the skateboard neccesarily caused it, but it definitely helped me get out there and be more social and have a cool hobby. I have a life now, to an extent. Of course, some people would argue that I'm still a geek, but no worries.
#10. Where do you think you will be with your skating in 5-7 years?
Hopefully I'll have discovered some totally awesome innovation of skating. It'd be sweet to invent some new tricks. I hope to be great at balance by then, and very creative. I dunno, just progressed more. I think I'll still be skating though, for sure.
#11. How did you come up with the idea of making your own skate brand, and how succesful did/do you think your company will be in the future?
At first I just thought it'd be cool to have a skate team. I changed my idea to a skateboard site. Then I decided it'd be awesome to sell skateboards. My dad has always been a great entrepreneur, so he sorta helped me along. Like I'd go to him and say something like, "Dad, how do I know people will even want to buy these skateboards?" and he'd say, "Well, you have to make it stick out. What if you let people order their own design on your board?" So I tried that. He's always been kinda giving me great insights to help me out, and the company couldn't have been started without him. Anyways, I've broke even. I think I've made a profit of over $100. That's not much for a company, but I did what I set out to do. I wanted to prove people wrong, all the people who told me I couldn't make a succesful skateboard company. That, and I just wanted a challenge. I really don't think my skate company will ever get big. I think I'll sell the last few boards off, and then I'll be done with selling skateboards. Although, I may start selling rails or this new skateboard wax I came up with...who knows. Be on the look out.
#12. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with living up to the image your name has become synonymous with? I mean Daniel Jones is larger than life here at the cafe. How do you manage to consistently live up to that?
Hmm. Well, I try to stay humble. People might not guess it, but I have a big problem with pride. I try not to let it get in my way, but I fall to it pretty often. I try to remember that I'm still just another guy on the cafe. Sure, I'm a mod and what not, but there are way better mods, and of course, Ray, who's awesome. I'm still outranked by a lot of people.:D As far as living up to my name, I don't know. I'm not trying to promote my name or look good. Like I said, I try to stay away from being prideful (and fail, many times.) I'm just trying to live my life like Jesus told me to. I think that if we all lived up to what Jesus thinks we can, we'd be way different. I'm underpar compared to what we'd look like if we all lived up to what Jesus thinks we can. I have a lot of growing and learning that still needs to take place. Um, does that answer the question?
#13. How often to you skate?
1-2 hours on school days. Summer, up to like 3-6. Pretty much every chance I get.
#14. What drives you to learn new tricks?
When I watch someone who's really awesome, or inspirational, I just want to go out and learn everything. It's almost like there's too much to learn. It's awesome.
#15. Is there a driving force behind your daily life? Not just skating wise, but in everything that you do. What drives you to be the person you are?
Yeah...Jesus. Any good that you guys possibly see in me is a tiny fragment of a reflection of Him. Trust me, I've seen what I'm like when I'm not living according to how He wants to. On another note, I've always had a lot of drive and vision. If I start something, I want to work with passion to finish it.
#16. How did you learn of SkatersCafe? And why do you enjoy coming here so much?
I answered the first part already, but I like it because it's a cool place to just talk with everyone on here. You're all really cool people, so it's fun to socialize with some skaters.
#17. Music wise, do you play any instruments? Anything you ever wanted to learn? Also, as a quicky. Favourite artist and why?
I'm teaching myself to play the keyboard. I'm not good.:( I've always wanted to play the keyboard, but I'm just starting to learn. My favorite artist? I dunno. I like punk, ska, and 60's/70's music. Kinda an odd combination. Anything that sounds good really.
#18. Best/Worst Skatespots you've ever sessioned? Be honest. This is considering both how fun it was and how many possibilities were present at these locations,
Haha, best...it's fun to just look at a otherwise horrible skate spot, and think, "How can I skate this? What can I do on that?" That's what really makes you creative, in my opinion. There's a school I like to skate with benches, manual pads, and a super slick ground for primo slides/casper slides. Worst? I went to this "skatepark" that was just crumbled wood pretty much. There were other people there, but it was ridiculous. Nothing skate-able.
#19. Last question, I swear! HAHA, now, we all know you love to skate Daniel. Is there perhaps a dream sponsor/team that you would give anything to be part of and why?
Almost would be cool to be on. Sk8kings too.
Thanks for your time Daniel, this is your last chance for any shoutouts! Take care man.
Tom mentioned shoutouts, so here are a few! I'll just use usernames, so you'll all know who I'm talking about. Dogtown, Tom, Fremry, CustomGrip, Skate4God, Sarge, Nathan, all the other mods, TheUsed, SkatePunk, dead sparrow, Dr. Feelgood, Necromortis, OregonPreacher, and tons more I'm forgetting. Those are some of my favorite members. :D
#1. How did you start skateboarding?
Just picked up a wal-mart board and went for it!
#2. How long have you been skateboarding?
A little over two years. One street, one freestyle. Now I'm mixing the two, about 25% oldschool street and 75% freestyle.
#3. What is your setup?
Haha, kids always ask them, and I tell them I don't even know. Right now I think it's a sk8kings complete. If you were to come to me on an average day of skating and ask me, for instance, what my trucks were, I'd have to say about 25% Grind King 50% Tracker, and 25% Krux, or something like that. My board is usually just whatever I have lying around the house, because I break parts a lot, but I don't have much money to buy new stuff.
#4. Why did you come on skaterscafe/How did you find it?
Haha, I googled "skateboard forum" and posted a spam post trying to get people to buy from my skateboard company (which I had just started.) For some reason the mods had mercy on me, and I've been here ever since! :D
#5. Greatest achievement(moment)on a skateboard?
Ehh, I don't know. Primo slides were pretty important to me, because they opened a ton of new tricks. I think I'd have to say when I switched over to freestyle, that was the greatest moment in my skating, because I was finally where I was supposed to be, and progressing at a good rate. It just keeps getting better though.
#6. Whos your favourite skater and why?
Natas Kaupas and Rodney Mullen. Both huge innovators, and totally creative. They made skating into what they thought it should be, instead of following other people's lead.
#7. What do you think people will
remember you by?
I hope people remember me by my strong passion for loving Jesus and loving others. That's what my whole life is about, the rest is just other small tidbits.
#8. Will you ever cut your hair?
No.:D Actually, I trim my own hair every now and again. Only when it gets really long. Right now I'm in the process of growing my hair out so it's all one length (almost there!) and then I plan on growing it out real hippy like. Long, blond hair, just like Stacy Peralta or some other Z-boy. That is, of course, if my mom or dad don't cut my hair in my sleep, haha.
#9. Where would life have taken you if you hadnt found a skateboard?
Hmm, I'd be a geek. I was pretty much a geek until I picked up a skateboard, then I started changing. I really don't think that the skateboard neccesarily caused it, but it definitely helped me get out there and be more social and have a cool hobby. I have a life now, to an extent. Of course, some people would argue that I'm still a geek, but no worries.
#10. Where do you think you will be with your skating in 5-7 years?
Hopefully I'll have discovered some totally awesome innovation of skating. It'd be sweet to invent some new tricks. I hope to be great at balance by then, and very creative. I dunno, just progressed more. I think I'll still be skating though, for sure.
#11. How did you come up with the idea of making your own skate brand, and how succesful did/do you think your company will be in the future?
At first I just thought it'd be cool to have a skate team. I changed my idea to a skateboard site. Then I decided it'd be awesome to sell skateboards. My dad has always been a great entrepreneur, so he sorta helped me along. Like I'd go to him and say something like, "Dad, how do I know people will even want to buy these skateboards?" and he'd say, "Well, you have to make it stick out. What if you let people order their own design on your board?" So I tried that. He's always been kinda giving me great insights to help me out, and the company couldn't have been started without him. Anyways, I've broke even. I think I've made a profit of over $100. That's not much for a company, but I did what I set out to do. I wanted to prove people wrong, all the people who told me I couldn't make a succesful skateboard company. That, and I just wanted a challenge. I really don't think my skate company will ever get big. I think I'll sell the last few boards off, and then I'll be done with selling skateboards. Although, I may start selling rails or this new skateboard wax I came up with...who knows. Be on the look out.
#12. How do you deal with the pressure that comes with living up to the image your name has become synonymous with? I mean Daniel Jones is larger than life here at the cafe. How do you manage to consistently live up to that?
Hmm. Well, I try to stay humble. People might not guess it, but I have a big problem with pride. I try not to let it get in my way, but I fall to it pretty often. I try to remember that I'm still just another guy on the cafe. Sure, I'm a mod and what not, but there are way better mods, and of course, Ray, who's awesome. I'm still outranked by a lot of people.:D As far as living up to my name, I don't know. I'm not trying to promote my name or look good. Like I said, I try to stay away from being prideful (and fail, many times.) I'm just trying to live my life like Jesus told me to. I think that if we all lived up to what Jesus thinks we can, we'd be way different. I'm underpar compared to what we'd look like if we all lived up to what Jesus thinks we can. I have a lot of growing and learning that still needs to take place. Um, does that answer the question?
#13. How often to you skate?
1-2 hours on school days. Summer, up to like 3-6. Pretty much every chance I get.
#14. What drives you to learn new tricks?
When I watch someone who's really awesome, or inspirational, I just want to go out and learn everything. It's almost like there's too much to learn. It's awesome.
#15. Is there a driving force behind your daily life? Not just skating wise, but in everything that you do. What drives you to be the person you are?
Yeah...Jesus. Any good that you guys possibly see in me is a tiny fragment of a reflection of Him. Trust me, I've seen what I'm like when I'm not living according to how He wants to. On another note, I've always had a lot of drive and vision. If I start something, I want to work with passion to finish it.
#16. How did you learn of SkatersCafe? And why do you enjoy coming here so much?
I answered the first part already, but I like it because it's a cool place to just talk with everyone on here. You're all really cool people, so it's fun to socialize with some skaters.
#17. Music wise, do you play any instruments? Anything you ever wanted to learn? Also, as a quicky. Favourite artist and why?
I'm teaching myself to play the keyboard. I'm not good.:( I've always wanted to play the keyboard, but I'm just starting to learn. My favorite artist? I dunno. I like punk, ska, and 60's/70's music. Kinda an odd combination. Anything that sounds good really.
#18. Best/Worst Skatespots you've ever sessioned? Be honest. This is considering both how fun it was and how many possibilities were present at these locations,
Haha, best...it's fun to just look at a otherwise horrible skate spot, and think, "How can I skate this? What can I do on that?" That's what really makes you creative, in my opinion. There's a school I like to skate with benches, manual pads, and a super slick ground for primo slides/casper slides. Worst? I went to this "skatepark" that was just crumbled wood pretty much. There were other people there, but it was ridiculous. Nothing skate-able.
#19. Last question, I swear! HAHA, now, we all know you love to skate Daniel. Is there perhaps a dream sponsor/team that you would give anything to be part of and why?
Almost would be cool to be on. Sk8kings too.
Thanks for your time Daniel, this is your last chance for any shoutouts! Take care man.
Tom mentioned shoutouts, so here are a few! I'll just use usernames, so you'll all know who I'm talking about. Dogtown, Tom, Fremry, CustomGrip, Skate4God, Sarge, Nathan, all the other mods, TheUsed, SkatePunk, dead sparrow, Dr. Feelgood, Necromortis, OregonPreacher, and tons more I'm forgetting. Those are some of my favorite members. :D