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Dan "Dandroid" Roberge Interview! |
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Written by CubeSlacker
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Page 2 of 2
CubeSlacker: You've been working in the art field for a few years, and now have your own skateboard company, Fight! Skateboards (fightskateboards.com). What's it like owning a skateboard company? Do you skate?
Dan: AWESOME! Yea I skate all the time, and its just awesome having my own co. I get a new board when ever I feel like it, I have 4 or 5 together at any given time, I am the most popular guy at the skate park whenever I go. That has its good side and bad, I usually try to keep it secret if I'm somewhere new because kids will ask a million questions non-stop, ask for free stuff and they expect me to be an insane skater because I own a company (and I am not that great lol) I am an "old school" skater and just skate for fun and exercise. Starting FIGHT! Was really just a way to get my art and ideas out there in a tangible form, something that always working on a computer drove me to. If you are reading this and have a couple bucks to burn, go to the site www.fightskateboards.com and order a deck! They are killer boards, made in Pennsylvania and any skater you know would love to ride one. They look awesome hanging on your wall too.
CubeSlacker: What are some challenges you've faced when starting your own business?
Dan: Uh, MONEY. Not getting a steady pay check can be pretty scary and you have to shell out some dough to get you equipment to get up and running. No insurance, that sucks too.
The hardest thing for me is staying on top of it all, getting new work and finishing the work I have to do. I do not slack working for myself though. I am hard on myself (I just said hard-on) and want to have my clients happy. It’s very scary having 2 kids and no steady paycheck!
CubeSlacker: Has it been tough balancing work and family? How do you do it?
Dan: Well, I work at home so its pretty easy, I work odd hours, late at night mostly and try to spend as much time with my 2 boys as I can during the day. My wife works part time in the evenings so I take care of them a lot. We hang out and watch movies and play video games and stuff. I try to keep work out of my family’s way. They are what is important after all.
CubeSlacker: How does it feel to be living your dream? Is it worth the effort?
Dan: It feels pretty good, although I do have a way to go. I am in the process of starting a new design company called "CubeDrive" and hoping that it will help get me where I want to be soon. Is it worth the effort? HELL YEA, staying home with my kids, a flexible schedule and the money is usually better than I would get punching a clock, yes it is worth it.
CubeSlacker: Any advice to the CubeSlacker readers out there who want to follow their dreams?
Dan: JUST DO IT. Quit your job and go for it. It’s the only way. Sink or swim. If you sit around thinking about it but never do it you will rot in that useless, boring dead end job.
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