We were lucky to catch up with Desean Neal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Desean, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Thanks for pointing that out! Here’s an updated version to reflect that:

The beginning of my skate brand came from a passion for skateboarding that slowly turned into a full-blown business. After moving to Mesquite, Texas, in 2019, St. Francis Skatepark became my local spot. Skating and documenting the skaters around me sparked something – I knew we could build something bigger around this community. So, I started filming tricks and posting them on Instagram, which is how the skate page started. But it wasn’t just about capturing the culture; I wanted to create something that represented it.

That’s when I got serious. I had to learn everything from scratch – forming an LLC, understanding branding, and how to market something bigger than just myself. I taught myself about the legal side of running a business and dove into how to structure events that would draw attention. Getting my own place the next year gave me the space I needed to focus on my vision. I launched the LLC and started organizing events.

One of the biggest turning points came when I interned with HUMAN DIOR during Go Skate Day. I shot videos, made connections, and got real experience in managing an event. It felt like my brand was starting to take off. But that didn’t come easy. I had tough times, including a period of homelessness, but I never lost sight of the brand or the culture we were building.

It wasn’t just about making it official – I had to immerse myself in the skate scene, grow my network, and learn event logistics from scratch. Through persistence, I organized successful events and learned how to bring the community together. We’ve had several successful events since then, and there are plenty more on the way.

Now, I’m almost finished with a skateboarding documentary film that captures the energy, lifestyle, and stories behind the culture we’ve built. It’s a project that digs deeper into what makes this community special, showing not just the tricks, but the passion and the people behind it.

The main steps that got me here:

1. Learning the business side – Turning my passion into an official LLC.
2. Building connections – Networking with skaters and brands in Dallas.
3. Growing the brand – Through social media and real-world events.
4. Organizing events – Understanding how to manage and promote skate events.
5. Expanding through film – Creating a documentary that tells the story behind it all.

It’s been a journey, but with each event and new project, we’re getting closer to where I’ve always envisioned this brand going. The grind doesn’t stop

Desean, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who don’t know me, my name is Desean, and I’m the founder of a skateboarding brand that’s all about creating community through the culture of skateboarding. My journey started from a love of skating and documenting skaters in Dallas,Texas. At a skatepark we call “Franny”(St.Francis Skatepark, East Dallas). What began as filming tricks at my local skatepark turned into a business with a mission: to represent and elevate the skate community.

I got into this industry by immersing myself in the scene – first as a skater, then as someone who wanted to capture the energy and passion around me. I started by sharing videos on Instagram, but it quickly grew into something bigger. I formed my LLC, began organizing skate events, and eventually expanded into film, with a skateboarding documentary that’s nearly finished.

As for what I provide, it’s more than just products or events – I offer a platform for skaters to express themselves and be part of a community. I organize events that bring skaters together, and I’m creating films that tell the real stories behind skate culture. My brand also focuses on promoting local talent and connecting with other like-minded creatives.

What sets me apart is the authenticity behind everything I do. My approach is grassroots, built from the ground up, and rooted in the culture itself. I’m not trying to make skateboarding fit into a corporate mold – I’m here to highlight the raw, real side of it. The hardships I’ve been through, including experiencing homelessness, have only fueled my drive to keep pushing this brand forward. I think people feel that sincerity when they connect with my work.

I’m most proud of the community that’s been built around my brand. From the skaters I’ve filmed to the events I’ve organized, it’s about bringing people together and giving them a space to shine. Whether it’s through the documentary I’m working on or the events I’m planning, the goal is always to show the world the beauty of the skateboarding lifestyle and culture.

For potential clients, followers, or fans, what I want you to know is that this brand is more than just a logo – it’s a movement. We’re here to represent the underrepresented, to showcase skateboarding in its purest form, and to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can do as a community. Whether you skate or not, you’re part of the journey if you support the culture.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation is being an outsider, an outcast from a small city no one really talks about, and then coming to a major metropolitan area and making an instant impact. I found myself in circles that many people aspire to be in, yet I’ve never really cared for that. My focus has always been on my purpose, not on fitting into anyone else’s mold.

I let the gossip spread – the rumors and stories that fly around. I know none of it is true, but instead of fighting it, I play with it, feeding the flames by spinning my own versions of what “didn’t happen.” It’s a game I don’t take seriously because I know the truth, and that’s all that matters. I’ve learned to move through the noise with confidence.

What really sets me apart is my grind, my respect for myself, and my love for what I do. I’ve found a harmony within myself that guides me. The wisdom I share comes from a deep place of connection with the universe, and I walk in the name of God. I embrace that spiritual energy in everything I do. While a lot of people are still searching for who they are, I’ve found myself early on. I’m young, Black, and standing strong in business. That’s the foundation of my reputation – authenticity, resilience, and a relentless drive to stay true to myself.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that everyone starts in the streets when it comes to skateboarding. Growing up, we didn’t have skateparks where I was from. I started skating in ditches and on the streets because that’s all we had. By the time a skatepark was finally built when I was a teenager, I was already pulling away from skating. From ages 9 to 14, I skated consistently, but I didn’t have a lot of friends with cameras or the ability to travel, so it was rare to document anything. For me, skating meant being out in the streets, and that shaped my perspective.

I grew up thinking that was the only way to start – out in the streets, getting real with it. But when I moved to the city, I saw it was different. Here, skaters had parks to start in, to practice, and then take it to the streets when they were ready to show off. It was a completely different path than the one I knew, and I didn’t fully understand it until one of the owners of Devotion Skateboard Company said the same thing to me: “Practice in the parks, then take that shit to the streets.” That made me realize there’s more than one way to build your skills as a skater.

What I had to unlearn was my own bias. Just because I started in the streets doesn’t mean that’s the only or “right” way to do it. Skaters here can start in parks and still kill it on the streets. And honestly, I love seeing park clips too! That’s the fun contradiction – I’m passionate about all aspects of skate culture. Whether it’s street skating or park skating, I appreciate the grind and the progression in all its forms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.goskate.day
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfw.skate/profilecard/?igsh=MXc3ZGc3MGg2d2l0aA==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dfwskate?si=bA0VpBnGQN_7OKyr
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/8xYFsT5HrS1rWJfHA

Image Credits

Christopher Wilkins || Desean Neal