We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Lopez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Since I was a kid I always have been passionate for surfing and skateboarding. I had obsession specially for boards, it was fascinating for me. I grew up having that feeling always with me. Unfortunately I was born in a little city in the mediterranean where we didn’t had any waves or any skateparks. I never tough that under those circumstances I could do anything that was linked with surfing or skating. I studied design and then I did a master in architecture and opened my own studio in the city of Barcelona. But after many years working with clients I realized that I was loosing my passion for it. And I realized that work is something that you must love since we have to do it everyday. Was then when I come up with the idea of getting the knowledge I had from architecture and design and blending it with my passion for surfing and skateboarding and create something different. Something that was created from another point of view and not from the skate/surf industry. Sustainability was key due my passion for nature. Always trying to give back to nature a little bit of what nature give to us. Was then when I had the idea of using nature as a corporative image of the brand and make fine art prints. I though it was a perfect balance. And here I am almost 13 years later making living out of it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Along / Blend with Nature specializes in handcrafted surfboards, skateboards, and Fine Art nature photography.

My boards are manufactured as eco-friendly as possible, helping to support a cleaner environment. Because everyone’s needs are different, I offer custom-made boards, creating something unique and made for you. All of my photography is printed on smooth matte Fine Art Paper, 100% cotton, acids free, designed for premium quality prints. I really enjoy woodworking so every once in a while, I come up with an exclusive piece of furniture from reclaimed wood.

The way I do what I love the most and the materials I use for it is what it sets me apart from others. I don’t have anything to prove, I just do what I like trying to get better at it for myself.

Joy and motivation kept my dreams real. I feel gratitude, love, and passion for what I love the most. I guess the thing that make me the most proud of is the ability to blend everything I do creating a beautiful and powerful concept.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that in this life nothing is guaranteed. Nothing and no-one last forever. And this is something that is very easy to forget. I don’t have a special backstory for this but, that is the biggest mistake a person can make. Unlearning to learn how to be present in the moment and be grateful for everything we have…

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

What I have learn in this journey is that we have to do what we love the most. We have to be brave, we have to be fearless, getting out of comfort zone and the most important thing we have to be patient. And the only way to achieve all of this is having discipline. In my case I discipline myself going surfing as much I can, going skateboarding as much I can, breathing exercises, stretching, reading and writing… In the discipline doing this is where I found my balance. And balance is all we need to enjoy the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.along.fm
• Instagram: @alongfm
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ALONGFM
• Other: www.pinterest.es/Alongfm www.davidzuken.com

Image Credits
David Lopez, Hector Perez, Alex Postigo