We recently connected with Aaron Vaughn and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Aaron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I hope the legacy we are able to leave behind is inspiring the future generations to stick with something through the hardships & triumphs. Skateboarding is not easy, to some it comes easier but the bottom line is.. you have to work hard at your craft.

We want the shop to be a hub where skateboarders from all ages & backgrounds are able to come, hang out & be themselves. Versed Skateboard Shop is for everyone. I grew up going to shop where I felt it had a major impact on my early developmental years & I want that to be passed on for many years to come.

I want to leave a bread crumb trail of how we made a skateboard shop be a successful, major part of the community & push for the greater good.

I feel people will remember me when I’m gone for setting the best example I could for being yourself, no matter the circumstances. Pushing positivity, overcoming setbacks & staying persistent.

Aaron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started skateboarding when I was 12/13 years old. Growing up, I never took a break.. I consistently stuck with skateboarding. I would be in & out of Chicago skateboarding for months at a time from 2011 to 2014. Come 2015, I moved out to LA to “chase the dream”. Ended up making my way back home some time later & started managing the skateboard shop I grew up supporting/being sponsored by in 2017. In 2019, we bought that same shop & started our own operation.

Discipline was never something I strayed away from, always kept a structured routine through my day ins & outs. I feel like I always have wanted a set a good example for the youth publicly which made me realize what I truly valued the most & that’s helping all walks of life & different interest. Example; we often have roller skaters/inline skaters come into the shop asking questions about their set ups.. we always make sure to help provide services for those even outside of skateboarding!

I am most proud of the impact the shop has made on skateboarders & others alike in the community. The love we have received over the years with folks reaching out saying how thankful & grateful they are that we’ve been there for them through good & bad times has been a proud reflection.

Versed is for the people, no matter the politics in skateboarding & this community, this brand has been true to the core of welcoming all to come along for the ride. We’ve done our best to take care of multiple generations of skateboarders & don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

There have been many lessons learned & unlearned over the last 6 years running a business. I think the most important take away I’ve learned is .. to not take everything personal. You’re going to have haters, you’re going to have doubters & you’re going to have politics in general. I’ve dealt with peers not agreeing with our vision of the shop & the direction of where we’ve been pushing skateboarding in central Indiana.

I tell myself daily to not forget where you’ve came from & to not forget why you started. The one’s that know your reason will stick by your side.. in other words, don’t take things personal. That was my most major lesson learned.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I think building your audience on social media is very important in today’s age. Staying relevant & consistent. Keeping the fresh ideas coming monthly helps compound the engagement. Make sure you stay tangible & give advice when asked.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Versedboardshop.com
• Instagram: @versedskateboardshop
• Facebook: Versed Skateboard Shop
• Twitter: @versedcarmel
• Youtube: @VERSEDCARMEL
• Yelp: Versed Skateboard Shop
• Other: Threads – @versedskateboardshop

Image Credits

Photos by Julian Derosas @fweewifi on Instagram