Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nick, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Let me start off by saying that I don’t believe I’m the most abundantly creative person out there. For me creativity comes in waves. I’ll go weeks at at time or maybe months without diving into a project. I have a bit of a “strike when the iron is hot” kind of ethos, which I suppose comes with the ADHD “super power” of hyper-focus. I keep it alive by riding the waves and trying to let go of all the pressure that can come with a big project. There’s always going to be something you wish you could have done better or differently. You just gotta let all of that go and take what you’re doing at face value.
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?
I own and operate a small skateboard shop in Saint Elmo, TN called Cassette. I’ve been a skateboarder going on 27 years now and it’s honestly shaped me into the person I am today. Nearly every avenue I’ve taken in life has been influenced by skateboarding in one way or another. Cassette feels like the most important road I’ve traveled so far. Skate shops are a unique business endeavor. These shops are places that do more than simply stock skate supplies, They also serve as cultural hubs. Skate shops are places where skateboarders meet up and are encouraged to spend time reading magazines, watching videos or just hanging with friends. They can also serve as a place for social gatherings, video premieres,community events, etc..
The most important goal of Cassette is to support and grow the skate community. We are currently working on organizing a few “learn to skate” programs with a local non profit and hope to have those details finalized soon.
We try to keep events going on a regular basis, Our next one is coming up on Feb 17th for National Skate Shop Day. Much like Record Store day, or Comic Book Store Day, Skate Shop Day encourages everyone in the community to come out and celebrate/support the shops that make a positive impact on the local scenes. We will have a few limited SSD related items available that day as well as a few other surprises. If you’re reading this I encourage you to come to the shop and see what we are all about.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
vulnerability: It’s at the top of the list. Sharing your authentic self with others is a great way to connect with any audience. A key factor in building trust and comradery
compassion: In the skateshop you have an opportunity to really connect with people. Skateboarding attracts people from so many different backgrounds.Every person has a story and it’s important to listen and relate. Self compassion is also so important. With your own business, project, life, whatever… You get to determine what circumstances you view as victory or defeat . You are making your own way. My suggestion is that when those situations that feel like defeat arise, be gentle with yourself. No one gets everything right every-time and obsessing over what could have been different or better isn’t the best way forward.This very lesson is still the hardest for me personally and I work on it every day.
community: It’s the role of every niche business to stay in touch with and support your community. I feel it’s my role as a skate shop owner to advocate for the skate and other adjacent communities as a whole. Make yourself available for questions, conversations, and concerns. The people you share a community with are the ones that support your project after all. Stay in touch with them and listen.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I want to start this out by saying that “success” is a very subjective term. What makes me a successful business owner in someone else’s eyes might not be exactly how I would measure my own success.
Everyone in the Chattanooga skate community that believes in what we are doing helps me overcome different challenges everyday. When those times of self doubt set in, I have so many positive responses and affirmations from this community to look back on. It’s really a practice in gratitude.
Those responses help me feel like I’m living my version of success. Staying in touch with my people is the most important quality of my business and I build my brand around that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cassetteskateshop.com
- Instagram: @cassette_skateshop
