Meet Kiara Hargrove

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kiara Hargrove a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kiara , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I would say I really began developing confidence and self-esteem in elementary school. When I was in 5th grade, my teacher—who was also my basketball coach—encouraged me to believe in myself. In the earlier grades of grammar school, I noticed that I didn’t have much confidence. This teacher gave me a “confidence bracelet” to wear and even had me recite confidence quotes aloud. My mom also supported me, working alongside my teacher to help build my self-esteem. For example, I would often doubt myself when solving math problems. Even when I had the correct answer, I would erase it because I thought I was wrong. At one point, my 1st grade teacher even removed the eraser from my pencil because she recognized that I had a confidence issue. She believed in me and knew I was capable. Fast forward to my skateboarding career—my confidence definitely grew. I believed in my ability to improve and learn new tricks. I didn’t give up, and that perseverance allowed me to embrace the fruits of my labor and stay humble.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Many people know me as a pro skateboarder for 1004 Skateboards and an IT engineer at a Fortune 500 company. What’s most exciting and special about my journey is that I’m thriving in two male-dominated spaces. This gives me the opportunity to show up, prove that I’m capable, and demonstrate that I’m just as valuable as any male figure in these fields. I started my skateboard brand in 2021, and I want people to know that it’s far from average. The name and the drive behind 1004 hold deep meaning. “1004” represents my birthday—October 4th—and also means “angel” in Korean. Looking ahead, my team and I are gearing up for an Arkansas tour in August, along with new clothing, accessories, and deck drops throughout the summer. I will be in a skate contest in October 2025.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are as follows:

1. Resilience:
In both skateboarding and the tech industry, I’ve faced challenges that could’ve easily made me give up. In skateboarding, falling is part of learning. There were tricks I tried hundreds of times before landing them, but my ability to keep going despite failure built not just skill, but confidence. That same mindset carried over into IT—especially as a woman in a male-dominated space, I had to push through moments where I felt overlooked or underestimated.

2. Vision:
Starting 1004 Skateboards wasn’t just about creating a product—it was about building a brand with meaning and purpose. I had a clear vision to create something that reflected who I am and inspired others. The name “1004” (my birthday and the Korean word for “angel”) reflects the personal and cultural layers I wanted to share. That vision helped me stay focused through the tough early stages of launching and growing a brand.

3. Adaptability:
Balancing two careers—pro skateboarding and working as an IT engineer—requires flexibility and time management. I’ve had to quickly switch between roles, adapt to different environments, and keep growing in both. Whether it’s changing technologies in IT or new trends in skateboarding, being able to adapt has helped me stay relevant and move forward in both fields.

My advice for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these is to not give up. Road blocks are a part of the journey and it makes it very rewarding in the end when you overcome the stumbles and failures. Be clear on what your vision is. Realize why you started and your purpose. That vision will guide your choices and keep you grounded when things get tough. Write it down, talk about it, visualize it. Your vision doesn’t have to be fully formed in the beginning—just start with your values and let it evolve as you do. Be willing to pivot when necessary and don’t be afraid to try new things. In today’s world, things change fast, and the people who thrive are the ones who stay curious. Take courses, explore new skills, ask questions. Whether it’s learning a new trick or a new technology, flexibility will keep you in motion.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

They supported my journey. I’ve been part of an extreme sport where you rarely see African Americans—let alone women—represented. My parents supported me by taking me to skate contests and events. My mom even taught me how to push and ride a skateboard, and everything else came together through progression and discipline. They took me to many skateparks across California and, unlike many parents, they never dismissed my dreams of becoming a pro skateboarder.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Simmy.Sosa
Alton Hill

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