Waking A Sleepy Town A Profile on Jason Strubing Fifteen year old Jason Strubing spends a day out skating with his friends and his brothers. He stays out into the night, having a great time. When he and his brothers come home and head into the living room, he sees a pile of skate gear on the floor. The three brothers approach the pile and start looking at everything in awe. They spend hours checking items that they had only seen in magazines.
It was at this moment that Jason realized his parents were serious about opening a skate shop. “My name is Jason Strubing and I have been running SkateWorks for the past twenty five years and have run this one in Los Altos for the past three” (Jason). He has had his newest shop in Los Altos for the past three. Back when Jason was in his early teens, skateboarding was his life. He and his friends would go out and skate wherever they could. Because of his addiction to skateboarding, his family spent a lot of time at
the local skate shop, where the service was disappointing to Jason’s mom, Paula. She and Jason’s dad, Bill, noticed the high demand for skateboards in their area, and thought it would be a good idea to open a shop of their own. When they shared their idea with Jason and his brothers, the boys were beyond excited, but did not expect the plan to actually materialize. To their sons’ surprise, Jason’s parents did indeed open up a shop in Santa Cruz - the first Skate Works. Jason and his brothers started their careers there. Very quickly,
Made By James Anderson
the shop became a popular hangout place. Skaters from all around were able to come to the shop check out gear that they had not seen before, and meet new friends who shared their passion. A goal of the Strubings was to be different from the other shops operators in the area by connecting personally with the customers and always wearing a smile. When it became time for Jason to think about his future after high school, he decided to go to the local college. There, he took courses in business that his parents had never had the opportunity to experience. He felt the knowledge he learned would help benefit the family’s management of the shop. After a
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few years at his parents’ first shop, he decided it was time for himself to open another location. He packed up his bags and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to open a shop in Redwood City.
with other managers and opened a few more shops around the Bay Area. These other shops were not as successful however, because they lacked the personal Strubing family touch. There came a time when the lease was up and non-renewable on the Redwood City location. After he announced the closing of the shop, Jason was approached with a business plan and asked if he would like to open up a “My investment to the busi- new shop in Los Altos. At ness was opening a shop in first, Jason was very skeptiRedwood City” (Jason). The cal about this idea because shop in Redwood City grew he doubted that downtown quickly in popularity. It was Los Altos would be a good a favorite among skaters at locale. After some negotithe local skate park because ating and convincing, howof Jason’s warm welcome. ever, he decided that he Over time, Jason teamed up would give it a try there. He
didn’t expect the shop to be permanent, but was given a good deal on the building rent, so he thought “why not?”. Many customers followed the shops move to Los Altos, “I am willing to go to the new location because Jason has always treated me so well I want to give him my buisness” (Tristan). “I am glad that I was proven wrong about Los Altos” (Jason). To his surprise, the Los Altos shop skyrocketed in popularity. Many parents in the area like the idea of a new, fun place for kids. The Los Altos shop has become a favorite hangout spot for kids and adult skaters as well, in large part due to the emphasis on customer service. “Skateboarding on your own is fun, but skating with your friends is exponentially fun” (Jason). Having a place for kids to safely congregate is beneficial to society. Skateboarding and visiting skate shops are a great pastime for youth. In skateboarding, kids meet
new friends and participate in a healthy physical activity. Skateboarding allows kids to try new things and work hard until they accomplish them. Many of the traits that are learned in skateboarding such as perseverance and determination can be transferred into daily lives. Jason has given kids a place they can go to stay out of trouble and have fun. Jason has hosted many events in the downtown Los Altos area to revitalize the town. “The event launches summer fun with skateboarding demos and clinics... participants can experience the kinetic energy that
moves favorite activities and start the season with some serious momentum” (Adding to Los Altos). His demos and contests are a great place for people of all ages to come and have a good time. Many people think that it is a great change for Los Altos and that the new younger crowd
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enjoy skateboard. is Jason’s success was a exactly confirmation of the favorwhat Los Altos needs. able market conditions in One of the things Los Altos. After the success Jason is most popular for is of SkateWorks, many other his organization of skateyouth-friendly shops startboarding lessons in Los ed to pop up in downtown Altos. “Jason Strubing has Los Altos. Potential shopa suggestion for Los Altos keepers saw the success of youth who have no interest Skate Works and were inin traditional sports like spired. In the months after baseball and football – try Jason opened his doors, picking up a skateboard” (A Los Altos saw a growth great Place for Kids). It is in youth-geared places. A very likely that you will see new arcade and multiple an instructor and a student stores aimed at a younger learning the basics of a audience were opened. One skateboard if you are in attraction, the new Helix downtown Los Altos. ParCenter, is an example of a ents have loved the idea of place that young parents can their kids doing something take their kids to and have a active, and the kids really positive experience. “And it
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appeared to be a hit among both young slime seekers and their parents tightly gripping their grande caffe lattes” (Mini-Exploratorium Opens). Many shops similar to this one have opened their doors after seeing the success of SkateWorks. Jason now has three daughters of his own. They are mildly into skateboarding, but prefer ponies and such right now. He harbors hopes however that the girls will one day follow in his footsteps and become the third generation owners of Skate Works. Bill is now 63 years old and still manages the shop in Santa Cruz. He plans on retiring soon and Jason is figuring out how both shops will be managed. The Los Altos shop is still doing well and is supported greatly by the community, so Jason plans on keeping the doors open at this location.
“Skateboarding alone is enjoyable, but skating with others opens up a world of opportunity� -Jason Strubing
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