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

Alright, Nick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I think its important to start from the beginning. I first picked up a skateboard around the summer of 1996, since then skateboarding has 100 percent influenced everything in my life. Its all I ever did, talked about, paid any attention to etc.. As I progressed, I picked up a few sponsors, started my own brands, made some skate videos, hosted some events, just doing whatever I could to be involved with the community and keep skateboarding at the forefront of my life.
Before opening Cassette I spent a few years working as a sales rep in the skateboard industry for a really unique handful of small brands. I faced some life changes and had to step away from that line of work, probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make. Being involved in skateboarding/ the skate community was all that ever made sense to me.
After stepping away I worked a few jobs that that were less than fulfilling, I felt that I had gone just about as far as I could in those environments, so one day I Just stepped out, no backup plan, no prospects, no ideas…
I spent a few months traveling really trying to make the best of life, but I was really floundering internally. I tried to get back into the sales rep arena but the pandemic had really changed the landscape of that industry. I worked as a dishwasher briefly but that felt like that was a huge step in the wrong direction.
I didn’t think I was alone in feeling Chattanooga’s skate scene needed a change. We needed things to do, we needed more than 2 events a year, we needed a place where anyone could feel at home, regardless of Identity, knowledge, skill level, social status or any thing like that. Out of these needs Cassette was born.
We opened our doors in November with no clue how things would go, this is my first real deal business venture, just learning as I go and making it work. So far the community response has been overwhelmingly positive, I very grateful and humbled to have this platform to support a community that means absolutely everything to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I think I may have gone into a good bit of that in the previous question, LOL! There’s time for a bit of a formal introduction I believe.
First off my name is Nick Moore, most everyone refers to me as “Moe”. Either is fine by me.
Got hooked on skateboarding at 1o years old and never looked back, I’ve worn many hats over the years ,literally and metaphorically. Sponsored skateboarder, skate shop employee, brand owner, videographer, event host, contest judge, contest MC, sub sales rep, sales rep, Former aspiring professional skater,( I hope the humor in this line translates), and NOW most importantly skate shop owner.
My personal brands aside, getting into the skateboarding industry took me a long 5 years to do. I spent a majority of my time emailing my favorite brands about sales position just hoping they needed some help. Like most industries you need a bit of experience to get in the door. I got an opportunity to work as a sub sales rep for a couple of major brands and from there I built my resume, cultivated good relationships with shops and just worked my way into being able to help with the brands I loved while getting to talk to other shop owners about skateboarding EVERYDAY!
I think where Cassette stands out is the environment. We offer many of the same products/services you can find at most any skate shop but we have curated this really visually appealing and comfortable space where anyone can walk in and feel at home. I like to tell people our shop is like Grandma’s house but with skate stuff. Having people feel welcome to hang out in a skate shop is one of the cornerstones of skateboarding as a community. The skate shop is a teaching/learning atmosphere. Its where skaters come to watch videos, read magazines, discuss skate politics. Its also where I get to connect with the community, strike up conversations, and get a feel for what is needed and wanted in the scene on personal basis.
I think the greatest mission of this shop is to provide a place where people can come to feel seen, heard, supported, and most of all appreciated.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Lets start off by stating that I do not claim to be a social media guru by any means… I do take pride in Cassette’s social media presence though. I try not to take it so seriously, were here to have fun after all.
I think that shows through our videos, captions and stories. Im pretty impulsive so if I have an idea I usually just run with it, call on some friends to help, make it a group effort and a bit of a party.
Its kinda like an exercise in vulnerability, At the end of the day its really just you putting yourself out there. I think that resonates with our followers.
My advice, Just be yourself, Its your little weird corner of the internet so use it however you want.

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

As someone who has been in the skate scene here for a number of years I was able to start off with a bit of a reputation. Just being involved in the scene for a long time helped. Not to sound like I’m a big “To Do” around town or anything, our scene is very tight knit, everyone pretty much knows everyone. When opening Cassette I did feel like we needed to come out swinging, We hosted a much needed skatepark clean up event before the shop doors were even open. It was something that I saw that needed attention and opening the shop gave me a platform to do so. It wasn’t intentional but I think that event did a good job setting the intentions of the shop. It was an amazing turn out and I’m so grateful for those who came!
We also regularly host skate video nights , and a used skate gear swap.
Community events aside, I think supporting skateboarders who shine bright is a main responsibility of any skate shop. Putting together a shop team was high on the priority list. The people you choose to represent you can really set the course for your intentions. I was very exited when Judah and Warner were down to represent the shop, their presence gave the shop a solid foundation for me to eventually welcome Maverick and Keegan.
I think its an old Saves the Day song, it says “I choose my company by the beating of their hearts, not the swelling of their heads”. To me these individuals represents what all skateboarders should aspire to be; Talented on a board but also kind, approachable, genuine, humble, and honest. I believe having these folks along for the ride really shows what we are here for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cassetteskateshop.com
• Instagram: @cassette_Skateshop
• Facebook: Cassette_Skateshop
• Youtube: Cassetteskateshop

Image Credits
Our Ampersand Photography Noah Camacho