I am a creative who expresses themselves through a multitude of mediums such as – music, skateboarding, and film photography. Upon finding out my daughter [Faye] was on the way, I was 20 years old and had to make some life altering decisions in a short amount of time. I founded a youth mentoring program in 2017 [Skate Above] that not only guided growth on a skateboard, but in life skills. The parents of my clients were calling me saying their kid’s grades went up, they were behaving better at home, finding their own style and had a heightened sense of self worth after a few sessions. Those testimonials only increased my passion to reach more individuals. After running Skate Above for 3 years, I decided to evolve that service-based business into a product-based brand called Still Skateboards. The brand was a passion project of mine dedicated to learning the ins-and-outs of marketing, sales, art direction and production. I did everything from building the website, sales and account acquisition, marketing, art direction, photography, public relations and team management. It taught me more in a single year than any other occupation or school had in 10x that time. Those skills eventually landed me a project management role at a creative agency working on the Fender client. Within a year at the agency, I got a call from one of the VPs at Fender to work for them in-house. I now project manage their brand creative team, producing global Tier 1 campaigns with some of the world’s top artists. Additionally, my wife Madeline [vox] and I [guitar] started our band Widows Gold together during the pandemic with two of our close friends Ian Zamora [bass] and Carson Ford [drums]. Our debut album was recorded at Gold Pacific Studios in Newport Beach. We have since played live shows all throughout Southern California and released an EP, album and are halfway through writing a sophomore album. Learn more at widowsgold.com and we hope to see you at a show in the near future!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We are a family of three – my lovely and extremely talented wife, Madeline, and our beautiful daughter, Faye.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Ultimately, I want to travel the world with our daughter and play music alongside my wife. However, I am very thankful to be working at my favorite brand in the music industry [Fender] and have learned so much through my position there.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Sol Grill off PCH is incredible – their Ahi Chowder and their meatballs are to die for!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Just shy of a decade – coming up on 9 years! I was born and raised in Portland, OR and moved down at 18.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Derek Sabori is one of the most interesting people in the community. He does so much good for everyone and everything around him – from the environment, to companies, to people. He is the founder of The Underswell, co-founder of Kozm and teaches sustainability in fashion at OCC.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is my favorite movie of all time.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never Stop Learning. Whether that means school, reading on your own time, seeking out mentors or simply asking questions! Always value the power of investing and believing in yourself.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
New York City – especially, the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Brooklyn. I have always had an affinity for the music born from those areas over the last 50 years and feel a near-spiritual connection to my heroes when I am there.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
There are so many people I would love to have lunch with and pick their brain.. but I would have to say Julian Casablancas. The Strokes have had the most significant impact on me as a musician and Julian wrote their first two albums on his own. They initiated the revival of rock n roll in the early 2000s out of New York and I strive to reinvigorate that movement in Southern California today. I would love to hear his stories and learn more about his songwriting approach firsthand.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love how many entrepreneurs and fellow creatives make up our community. It is refreshing to see so many people making a difference and standing up small businesses.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Widows Gold will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Despite being referenced as a guitar player, or skateboarder – I was actually a drummer first. My dad taught me to play from the age of 3 onward and that evolved into picking up other instruments.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sharing an experience with people you love.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife, Madeline.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family. Leisure. Creative Space.