Owner, THEM SKATES
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in San Jose, California.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: It just kind of happened organically. I've skated since high school—and I had so much love for it. I was lucky to fall into learning the business side of things after skating. I'm lucky to have found people who taught me certain aspects of business. A lot of the original skate spots in all the videos that you might see from the '90s were down here, so it makes a lot of sense that the biggest inline skating contest is based here.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: Something most people don't know about me is that my kids are half Filipino and half German, and they speak German fluently! I'm also a serious coffee fiend—| even roast my own coffee, which I sell in-store. It's a fun passion that fuels my days.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We're a fully independent skate brand. We develop everything you see on the shelves here from scratch. We create our own molds; they're manufactured overseas, but we fully fund everything that you see in the shop, which is a pretty big accomplishment. What's unique about THEM SKATES is all of the parts on our skates are modular. You can change the colors of the parts, and change the wheels, the liners are removable. It's fitting that the annual Blading Cup, a global event, takes place here in SantaAna, the home of THEM SKATES.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: If you're visiting Downtown Santa Ana for a great burrito, you have to go to Burritos La Palma at 4th Street Market. For a great atmosphere and great drinks? Native Son. And for the best pizza, you gotta go to Loosies.
