1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: My next guest. Uh, excited about it? I read it. 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: I read an article about my next guest in the 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,800 Speaker 1: Triple A magazine of Texas. Triple A stands for the 4 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:13,319 Speaker 1: American Automobile Association, and their magazine feature stories about local 5 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: businesses in Texas. The business that Triple A magazine feature 6 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:21,760 Speaker 1: was Jarvis Boards, a surfboard company based in Austin, Texas, 7 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,079 Speaker 1: and his owner is an African American. Please welcome to 8 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: moneymaking Conversations. The owner of Jarvis Boards, Tony Smith. Thank 9 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:33,160 Speaker 1: you for having me, Tony. How are you doing, my friend, 10 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: I'm doing great. Thank you for having me on. Oh yeah, Well, 11 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: I've been a member of Triple A for about what 12 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: it's about eighty five? Could I be used to be 13 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:44,839 Speaker 1: a road comic? And so I always on the road, 14 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: so I knew I need to Triple A just case 15 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: my car broke down. So I've been an avid reader, 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: uh and receiving the Triple A magazine on a monthly basis, 17 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: And I came across your article and I felt your 18 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: story is compelling because of the fact that you're venturing 19 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: as an entrepreneur in an environment that one would consider 20 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 1: that shouldn't be an environment you should venture into. But 21 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: I wanted to tell your story because one, you are Houstonian. 22 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: Let's get that out. Because I'm a Houstonian by the way. 23 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: Yeah it's funny. Um. You know, I grew up in Houston, 24 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: and everybody at my parents church and neighborhood back in 25 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: Acres Homes in Houston came over and saw us in 26 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: Triple A magazine and they're all excited to shoot my 27 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: parents and talk to my parents about it. Um. So 28 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:30,199 Speaker 1: that that that piece of press has been been great 29 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: for us. And it was a conduit that and that 30 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: you and I, which is exciting absolutely. Uh. Acre's home 31 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: was on the north side of Houston, as the mayor 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: of Houston is from Acre's home. Just let you know, 33 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: as a pretty thriving community. Um. From philp War Texas 34 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: in Houston and uh two communities MoMA like in the 35 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: kind of like in the heart of Houston. And now 36 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: what school did you go to college? Uh? Uh So 37 00:01:55,880 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: I went to Trinity University uh in San Antonio, and 38 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: then would would come up to to Austin, Texas to 39 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: go rock climbing all the time and just kind of 40 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 1: fell in love with the outdoor lifestyle and Austen and 41 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 1: moved to Austin and begin my career in finance in 42 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: two thousands fives. Okay, now let's just talk about rock climbing. Okay, Now, 43 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,920 Speaker 1: you know, we gotta be honest. This is I'm African American. 44 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: African American. Okay, rock climbing, boards, surfing out there in 45 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: the water. That's not what we will typically assume an 46 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: African American do. Correct that that's correct, and that's uh. 47 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 1: That's one of the driving forces for me personally for 48 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: the company Vision company brand and why I'm so avid about, 49 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: you know, pushing the sport and and pushing Jervis boards 50 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: is you know this, this African American experience doesn't have 51 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: to be a narrow path of of of activities. Um 52 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: with with a lot more people adventuring outdoors and rock climbing, surfing, 53 00:02:56,919 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: pider boarding, all of those are just fun, great athletic 54 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 1: activities that are enjoyable, um that I enjoyed personally, and 55 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,920 Speaker 1: I want, you know, when when my kids twenty thirty 56 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,919 Speaker 1: years old, for people to not be having the conversation saying, oh, 57 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: that's not a not an African American thing, or you know, 58 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 1: black people don't don't do X y Z UM. You know, 59 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: I want to be on sort of that leading edge 60 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: if you will, Well, you're on the leading edge. I'm 61 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: let you know that I'm acting like you're not on 62 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: the leading edge. You're all on the edge, my friend. 63 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 1: And it's funny when I when I told my mom 64 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 1: that I wonder if to start a company building paddle board, 65 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: She's like, what's the paddle board? But talk talked to 66 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: my listeners and educate them or exactly what your company does, yees. 67 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: So Jarvis Boards, what we do is we bill stand 68 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: up paddle boards UM. But specifically our stand up poddle 69 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: boards are made out of wood, so they have a 70 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: really high end unique look with a lot of them 71 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: being customizable with different graphics logos. You know, we've build 72 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: UH boards for a number of celebrities and UM athletes, 73 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: UH and and CEOs of companies and so they'll customize 74 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: them with with whatever detail or logo they like. UM 75 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: and that's what really makes us unique. One. You know, 76 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,919 Speaker 1: our boards are made in the States here in Austin, 77 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: Texas too, they're customizable and three UH they're made out 78 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: of wood, so they have this really premium, high end look. Um. 79 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 1: As far as poddle boarding as a sport, you know, 80 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 1: it's the fastest growing water sport in the country. Um, 81 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: that's just exploded in popularity in the last nine ten years. 82 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: That can be enjoyed, you know at the ocean, surfing, 83 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: inland lakes and rivers for fishing. Um, you can do yoga, 84 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 1: just hang out and relax. A lot of our poddle 85 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: boards that we sell we put in cup holders so 86 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:51,719 Speaker 1: you can just hang out on the water and have 87 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: a nice cold one for yourself as you like going 88 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:00,160 Speaker 1: too far my friend. Now, let's let's as a give 89 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: you a little bit more impatible paddle board and you're 90 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: standing up correct and then you got you got this 91 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: long paddle and you go on left right and moving yourself. 92 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: So people need to know you kind of need to 93 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: be in prepared to stand a lot. You know when 94 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 1: you pad the board all right, that's right. Um, you know, 95 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 1: think of it as like a giant surfboard. Uh, And 96 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: a lot of people see it and they're intimidated. On 97 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 1: my Instagram, I have a story that I did, uh 98 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:33,159 Speaker 1: when Bruce Bowen came up. He's an NBA spur retired. 99 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: Now he came up and boarding and unfortunately three times 100 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: taken out and go pidle warning for the program. Joe, Um, yeah, 101 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 1: can hear me? All right, Tony, I want to let 102 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 1: you know, let's let's back up a little bit on 103 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,039 Speaker 1: this Jarvis board and Bruce Bournes. Okay, let's let's really 104 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: multi fact Jarvis bolls Okay, Bruce Boyd he kind of 105 00:05:58,120 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 1: like to say he was. This guy was saying to 106 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: tell you three times NBA Defensive Player of the Year 107 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: for the San Antonio's board. Let's give using them HiPE now, Tony, Okay, 108 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: you know jobs boy, you know I read about your article. 109 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 1: He's a big deal now because he kind of threw 110 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: my thoughts. He's bilingual. You know it's Bruce board is 111 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,840 Speaker 1: a bad boy. Okay, came up to your shop now, 112 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,159 Speaker 1: I'm just sending it. Came up to Jarvis Boards. So 113 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,119 Speaker 1: let's set the tone that three time NBA defensive player 114 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: that you came to your location. Yep, yep, that's right. 115 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: And and I'll add he was absolutely the coolest, most 116 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 1: laid back down the earth guy that you can you 117 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: can imagine, Um, you know, you just talking to him, 118 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: you would never think he's three times you know, NBA 119 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: defensive player. Like he was just so down the earth 120 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: and cool and laid back and funny that it was 121 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 1: just you know, like taking out anybody else to go 122 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,919 Speaker 1: piddle boarding for the first time. But but but we, uh, 123 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: you know, go out and he's he's a he's a 124 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: big beaut he's tall, he's a little bit nervous, but 125 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,679 Speaker 1: you know, he's an athletic and uh, you know, he's tense. 126 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: And he gets on the board and I give him 127 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: a few five ten minute tutorial We hop on, he 128 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 1: starts baddling, and then you know, by the by the 129 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: first hour, he's cracking jokes and we're having a good time. 130 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: So one of the cool things about the sport is 131 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: how accessible it is for wide range of people and 132 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: athletic types. Right. So I've sold boards too. You know, 133 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 1: one of my favorite customers here and in Austin, Texas. 134 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: This was my early early days when I was just 135 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: getting started, still working my day job in finance, but 136 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: she bought one of my boards. Are actually our husband 137 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 1: bought it for as a retirement gift. Um. She's a 138 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: grandmother of six. I think she was like sixty seven 139 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: years old at the time and just a sweet older lady. 140 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 1: And uh, we still send each other Christmas cards. You 141 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: know that that's one of the the cool things about 142 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: the sport is making those personal connections and and and 143 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 1: engaging with people and learning their stories and being able 144 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: to build a physical, tangible product that they can love using. 145 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: And absolutely absolutely the the the thing that they're really 146 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: excited me about getting you on the show. And thank 147 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: you for taking the time to come on the show. 148 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: I'm speaking to Tony Smith. He's based in Austin, Texas. 149 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: He's the owner of Jarvis Boards is. Uh, the paddle 150 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: boards is which is a growing sport and um and 151 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 1: aldoor adventure entertainment. And so the thing that you you 152 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: made a decision to go into this tell everybody how 153 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: you got started, because you started out building the canoe, correct, 154 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 1: and then then this evolved into this. See you just 155 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: had that that the natural instinct to work with your hands, 156 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: and it started with a canoe. Yeah, so it even 157 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: really starts, um, you know before then uh, and you know, 158 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: I do a little bit of homework about you, and 159 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: you're sort of the unconventional story of of you know, 160 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: IBM to to leaving that day job to focus on 161 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 1: your passion of you know, stand up media, and um, 162 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: my road is a little bit similar. You know. Growing 163 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: up in Houston, my dad had a construction company, and 164 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: so we grew up in the family business doing stuff 165 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: with our hands all the time, you know, uh, restoring 166 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 1: cars and building model rockets and just all sorts of 167 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: hands on just building stuff. You know, absolutely loved it. 168 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: Went away. I got a degree in finance. Um, I'm 169 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 1: not really sure why I did that. Did that, and 170 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:18,719 Speaker 1: you know, I was working in finance for about ten 171 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: years or so, and I worked for a number of 172 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: big asset managers and had great stable careers there. But 173 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: there was just that teeth missing right of of building things, 174 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 1: and that entrepreneurial bug and entrepreneurial spirit just kind of 175 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 1: wasn't there. And a little bit on a whim, I 176 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: bought a how to guys for building wooden canoes, and uh, 177 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: I just said, and that's cool, I want to I 178 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: want to build that. And I had never made a 179 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: canoe and built this wood canoe. How do you start 180 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: building a canoe? Now you have to build a big 181 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 1: old tree. I just love talking to you because you 182 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:02,080 Speaker 1: just blow pass all the facts. You know, this guy 183 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: from standing to tell yo, Bruce boy, and he came 184 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: up and I told now, I bought a book or 185 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: how to Build a Canoe? Well you know that the bookstore, 186 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 1: and though the picture of the wood canoe that looked cool, 187 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: and I'm like, man, I think I can build that. 188 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 1: I'm going to try it. And so it was as 189 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: much of anything goes a personal challenge. And of course 190 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: my friends made fun of me. They're like, you know 191 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: you list for three other books. Um, but uh, you know, 192 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 1: I just wanted to challenge myself, like learning new life skills, 193 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: and and said, let me do this as an afterwork 194 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: stress reliever. And you know, I had no inkling that 195 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 1: this was going to become a career or a business 196 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: or any of that. Is just I'm just always learning 197 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: and doing new things. So I built this canoe and 198 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: I just fell in love with the process of building 199 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: it and seeing something physical and tangible come to life. 200 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: How did you build the canoe? Okay? How yes, how 201 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 1: did you the canoe? Uh? Step? Step by step? So 202 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: you just start with some raw pieces of wood and 203 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: you and you cut them down under these thin one 204 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: it's strips and you glue each strip of the canoe together. 205 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 1: It takes about three or fours to build it, and uh, 206 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 1: you know it, to my surprise, Ay, it floated and 207 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:25,440 Speaker 1: be it looks pretty cool. Um. But you know, on 208 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: that first voyage on the canoe, it's almost uh just 209 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 1: for shouting. But on that first wards on the canoe, 210 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 1: I take it out and my wife is standing on 211 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 1: the shore. She wouldn't get in the thing because you 212 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 1: know what if it didn't float. And I get in 213 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: the canoe and there's all these people paddle boarding that 214 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: are planning and looking at me saying, oh my god, 215 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:50,680 Speaker 1: that's the coolest looking thing I've ever seen. And right 216 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: there it clicked in my head. What if I could 217 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 1: translate this level of excitement about the wood look of 218 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 1: my canoe into this fat, this growing sport, a standard 219 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: piddle boarding. Hey, Tony, hold that, hold that though, Tony, 220 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 1: We're gonna be back with more. Tony. You know, he 221 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 1: built the canoe. He's hanging out with basketball superstars. He 222 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: don't he don't mind. He's just a laid back dude. 223 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 1: We enjoy. If you enjoy money making conversation, come on back. 224 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:19,840 Speaker 1: If you don't, come on back, because I got some 225 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 1: information for you to know. Hi, this ra Sean McDonald. 226 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: You're listening to money making conversations on the phone. I 227 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: have a he's from Houston. Acre's home in Houston, Texas. 228 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: I'm from Houston, Texas. So I got a fellow Houstonian 229 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: on the phone. But he's based in Austin, Texas. He 230 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: has a company, a paddle board company, UH called Jarvis Boards, 231 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: is based in Austin, Texas. He's a got his degree 232 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 1: in finance. He walked away from the world, the corporate 233 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 1: world that I walked away. I was formerly I was 234 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: formerly employed at IBM, and I decided to walk away 235 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: and pursue my aspirations as a to be a comedian 236 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: and which you lading entertain which leading the production opportunities 237 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: as well as management opportunities. So Tony, I got you 238 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 1: on the phone. We have to well, let's let's recap 239 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: your story. Okay, Rashauna came from Maker's Home, went to 240 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: Trinity University, got my degree in finance. When he played 241 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:15,440 Speaker 1: the corporate world, corporate world. Then I didn't really know 242 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 1: what I want to do. Then all of a sudden, 243 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: I saw this book on canoeing. How to build your 244 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: own canoe. You had three hours to throw away. You 245 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:27,319 Speaker 1: had that kind of time on your hands because you 246 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 1: wanted to relieve the stress. And you built this canoe 247 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: that your wife refused to join in on your maiden forge. 248 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: But everybody in the water said, wow, that's hot. So 249 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: did the So that's when the light bulb popped in 250 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 1: your head and you said money, money, money, money, or 251 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,439 Speaker 1: you just said I'm just the coolest doing in the water. 252 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 1: Which one was it? Uh? My mom, I started to 253 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 1: be the coolest dude the water. You know, it started real, 254 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 1: real slow. It was in my garage working on these 255 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: cattle boards because you know, the first tttle wards there 256 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: is no how to book the build one out of wood, right, 257 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: so I'm making it up as I go, And my 258 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:11,719 Speaker 1: neighbors would see me out that working late at night, 259 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 1: and um, you know, you know, asked me, hey, what 260 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 1: are you doing. I'm like, I'm building a wood tattle board. 261 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: And you know, sometimes like Le's quoted by one what 262 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: company is it? And Jarvis is my middle name, and 263 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: you know, Tony's kind of boring, and um, and I 264 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: didn't want to name it smith Boards, and so I 265 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: just went with Jarvis boards and uh just kind of 266 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: started making them out of my personal garage and selling 267 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: them and just kind of went from there. Okay, now 268 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: these are handcrafted. So how did you just the price point? 269 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: How did you develop the price point? And exactly how 270 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: long is it palaboard? And how why is it paltable? Yeah, 271 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 1: so to to get points, they are the cheapest ones 272 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: that we make are going to be about seventeen hundred 273 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: or so. Uh and we've sold boards over four thousand 274 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: dollars to pick well, I take it back. The most 275 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 1: expensive ones were sold for about fifteen grand UM at 276 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: the Maui jam Invitational Basketball tournament last year as part 277 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 1: of a Raffle charity donation that we've done. But most 278 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: of them ranging price from about seventeen hundreds of four 279 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: brands UM. As far as size there there think of 280 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: it as like a big surfboard, so anywhere from about 281 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: nine ft to twelve feet long. So you're gonna you know, 282 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 1: put them on top of the roof rack of your 283 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: car or at a boat dock or something like that 284 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 1: that that you can use to paddle around. So is 285 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 1: the wood is what is the wood process that makes 286 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: your surfboard I mean, are your paddle boards unique. Yeah, 287 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: that's that's a big component of it. So I didn't 288 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: know this getting into the industry, but most of the 289 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: brands that you see out there in the paddle board 290 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 1: and surfboard space are made by only a handful of 291 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: big maga factories overseas, and they just put different brand 292 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: stickers on them. Um. So to speak, ours are all 293 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 1: made here in the States, here in Austin, Texas. UM. 294 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: And what immediately catches your eye is the would look 295 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: of it, and more importantly, what we do with the 296 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: would so we can do different designs and layouts. UM. So, 297 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: like we did one that had an American flag on it, 298 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 1: skull and cost bones. Um. We're building one now for 299 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 1: a guy that was born in South Carolina. So we're 300 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: doing the outline of like the South Carolina state flag 301 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 1: and you know, a bunch of things sort of telling 302 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: his life story, if you will. UM. And so we're 303 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: able to customize them so that they're sort of functional 304 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: pieces of art. UM. We have a lot of people 305 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 1: that that gift the gifts them as presence, which has 306 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: been really fun unique. So you know, we just shipped 307 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: one out to a guy in Arizona for his wife's 308 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: fifty at birthday, which is coming up this week. Hopefully 309 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 1: she's not listening and we're not rooting the sprice. Um. 310 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: But it's really cool. But you know because we get 311 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:12,479 Speaker 1: to almost feel like I have this extended family if 312 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: you will, around the world of these people that we've 313 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,399 Speaker 1: built these these hand crafted boards for that that we 314 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,160 Speaker 1: know their personal story and have that sort of connection 315 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,639 Speaker 1: with it, if you will. Now, I got to go 316 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: to the big question to be in a minority in 317 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 1: the outdoor business. Talk to us about that story also, 318 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: is I think credibility has to has will fall into 319 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: that conversation or how would you how could you do 320 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: this type of sport because there are stereotypes that you 321 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:47,920 Speaker 1: have to overcome correct. Yeah, it's um, it's a challenge, um, 322 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: and a lot of it I will admit as a 323 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:55,399 Speaker 1: personal challenge and a personal struggle, you know it. Really, 324 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: I would get struck with this all the time of 325 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: you know, I'm just a black food from make homes, Like, 326 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 1: who do I think I am? That I can go 327 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: out and charge twice what other people are charging for 328 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: these wood paddle wars and it's gonna work, you know, 329 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: like it's just such an insane story that there's this 330 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: black guy and landlocked off in Texas. That's building you know, 331 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 1: some of the nicest paddle wars in the world. UM. 332 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 1: And so I struggled with that, uh personally, UM, you 333 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: know sort of do I belong? Do I fit? And 334 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: so that sort of drives me to personally to be 335 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 1: the best that we can and make the company the 336 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 1: best that we can. So it's almost undeniable if you will, um, 337 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:40,439 Speaker 1: you know, just make that the products sort of above 338 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:44,680 Speaker 1: and beyond UM. And it's it's a challenge and it's 339 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: a it's a motivating factor for me to So it's 340 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 1: just sort of be present in the sports that has 341 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:55,920 Speaker 1: very very little minority representation, UM to hopefully change that 342 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: and move that needle forward so that the next generation 343 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: of kids coming up c O. Wait, black people do gotten, sir. 344 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,560 Speaker 1: If they do piddle boards, they rock climb, all these 345 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 1: things or or activities that that you know with them 346 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: with are within the realm of possibility for for them 347 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,400 Speaker 1: to go out and do, which is really important to understand. 348 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: You know, where I'm at today is always uh on 349 00:19:18,200 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: my show, I always peel off a little bit more 350 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,919 Speaker 1: information about who I am to my staff because they 351 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: don't really know me. They know what they know me currently, 352 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: but this show allows me to talk about my past 353 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 1: a little bit. And so because when you create a 354 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: pass that allows you to you know, because you're you're 355 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:35,200 Speaker 1: proud of where you came from across home, You're proud 356 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: of the fact that your finance person. But all that 357 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 1: allows you to have a level of communication because you 358 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 1: have that degree. So there's respect there. Okay, your your 359 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 1: goal oriented person. You know how to start a task 360 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: and complete a task. That's one of the strong benefits 361 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 1: that you have to take hold of. The reason I 362 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 1: brought you on the show was because I feel that 363 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 1: you're just a super talented person who who decided to 364 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 1: play against the odds. Everybody likes to play is safe, 365 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: and playing the safe tends to not leave you two 366 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: forward thinking and so you're fod thinking guy going why 367 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:08,879 Speaker 1: can't why not? Why can't I do that? And so 368 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 1: that's why this is part uh part supporting you from 369 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 1: our mentorship standpoint, because that's all I'm doing on this 370 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:17,439 Speaker 1: show and measuring people, let them know that they can 371 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 1: continue to do your dream, continue to plan, continue to 372 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,439 Speaker 1: believe that you can be successful, but also promotion. How 373 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: do you promote your brain? Yeah, so a lot of 374 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: what we do on the promotion side, you know, we 375 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:32,119 Speaker 1: get a lot of earned media, I think because it 376 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:35,639 Speaker 1: is such an insane story, UM, which is is great uh, 377 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: social media, UM, it's been a big driver force email 378 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 1: marketing UM. And then just just word of mouth. You know, 379 00:20:43,119 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 1: people will discover us and say, you won't believe this 380 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 1: thing that I got, and then they go show it 381 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 1: off and tell their friends and the you know, their 382 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,240 Speaker 1: friends get jealous and and and want to buy one. 383 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 1: So those have really been big catalyst for us and 384 00:20:56,200 --> 00:21:00,239 Speaker 1: and good drivers of of us UM. You of being 385 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,439 Speaker 1: able to grow and build a brand UM. And then 386 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 1: just the cool connection with you know, taking people like 387 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: goose Bow and paddle boarding. Now would say, you know, 388 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 1: it's always a self promotion of teying yourself to CAMPAIGNE 389 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: did did generate interests into your product? Okay, when is it? 390 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: When are you going to have the first Javish Boards 391 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: paddle board race in Austin, Texas? You know, I don't 392 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 1: know if we will do a race. That's something that 393 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 1: we thought about. What we have done a good bit 394 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:34,400 Speaker 1: of that's been a win when. UM that I appreciate 395 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 1: personally is uh tying ourselves to charitable events and causes. Um, 396 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 1: either loaning boards out for you know, we've done some 397 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 1: river clean up things here, or donating a customized board. Um, 398 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 1: Like I said, we were with the Maui Jam Invitation 399 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:58,440 Speaker 1: excuse me basketball tournament in Hawaii. Um, and you know 400 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 1: we donated some boards and that calls and got a 401 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: little bit of ESPN coverage and UM, you know I 402 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 1: was able to meet J. Billis and hang out with 403 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: Bill Walton and that sort of stuff, which is is 404 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 1: great because we raised you know, thirty thousand knowledge in 405 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: the Maui Food Bank. But it's also great for Jarvis 406 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 1: Boors because Tony Smith throws our games. He just throws 407 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:25,920 Speaker 1: our names, not listening. The power of the relationship. J. 408 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:32,120 Speaker 1: Billis is the college basketball voice for ESPN. Bill Walton 409 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: in eighteen seventy seven led Portland Trail Baylors to the 410 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:40,679 Speaker 1: NBA Championship and also led the Boston Celtics to an 411 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 1: NBA championship and is an NBA Hall of Famer. He is, yeah, 412 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,480 Speaker 1: and again he was just so down the earth and 413 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: so cool, you know, he met with him in the ESPN, 414 00:22:54,160 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 1: came into tell him and all that stuff, and I 415 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 1: probably spent a good fifty minutes just chatting with him, 416 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 1: like you know anybody else, um and uh yeah, just 417 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 1: a cool guy. You're a cool guy, Tony. I'm gonna 418 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: tell you're a cool guy. You're down to earth And 419 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 1: I love being able to promote you. I love to 420 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: be even let you know how big you are and 421 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 1: how brand friendly you are because of the fact that 422 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: coming on my show, Money Make Conversation, that's what it's 423 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: all about, giving the opportunity for young entrepreneurs or established entrepreneurs, 424 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 1: and you an established entrepreneur uh brand that is now 425 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 1: trying to grow outside of your circle and also trying 426 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: to broak that that wall of minoritiests can only do 427 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: this and breaking stereotype. I really respect you for that. 428 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: I really respect the fact and proud of the fact 429 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 1: you from Houston, Texas Acres homes Hey. Man, keep winning, Okay, 430 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:41,920 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. Man,