Levitate Interview – Chris Graner
Congratulations on 10 years! How stoked are you on this milestone?
Wow – Yeah 10 years! We are so stoked to have been around this long. It just proves that a small independent skater-run company can still survive. Never did I think we would have come this far. We started Levitate in September 2001 in my basement in New Jersey with 12 hats and 24 t-shirts. We now have over 30 SKUs and our products ship world wide. We have seen so many companies come and go over the years and it just feels good to keep pushing along.
How do you feel your company has grown over the past 10 years?
Levitate has grown since day one. We have changed with the times, and continue to grow today. We have seen huge highs like ASR in 2005/2006 to the economic low in 2008/09. We have always supported our shops and team. I believe that is what has kept us strong and still growing today.
Have your company goals and ambitions changed?
Levitates goals have always been to stay true to ourselves and skateboarding. We have fun skateboarding. Anyone who has seen our videos, or seen us out on tour, knows our team not only kills it, they have fun together. Their different styles mesh together to create a unique group of guys. We test all of our products to produce quality decks, clothing and accessories at the best prices. We have team members who have been with us since day one. That is dedication! As a company owner I am never satisfied and push myself and my products everyday.
What in skating has you the most stoked right now?
Skating has been changing, I’m just stoked to see young kids on the streets, and parks pushing the limits learning new tricks. I want to see skating get back to the streets! Lately we have been rolling the streets in Denver just hitting whatever is so much fun.
I watched the Mike McCarthy video on your homepage, he’s got some serious tricks. What can we expect from him and the rest of your team?
Mike is super rad. He really kills everything. Mike has been with Levitate for over 5 years, I have so much respect for Mike and his skateboarding. He is our team manager and Phila local. Mike has been working on filming a new part now and should be out soon. Nate Gibson also has two parts about to drop one with Brick Wheels, and one on his own we will feature on the levitate site. J.J. Sereday, Rex Eure and several other team guys have been working on shooting photos, and a upcoming Levitate Video.
What are you goals for the next 10 years?
In the short term we are working on updating the website, and growing our FB page. Long term just be around another 10 years with great people supporting us. We are looking to add more to our clothing line, offer more shapes in our deck line. We are always looking for new team riders, and dealers. Ten years seems like a lifetime, we will see what another ten brings!
Last words and shout outs?
First off we would like to thank Steez for looking out! All of our family and friends, team riders, Mike McCarthy, Nate Gibson, Rex Eure, J.J Sereday, Pat Brosnan. Friends of Levitate Mitch Hartman, Ian Burn, Ki Realer, Scott Guntz, Bryan Novak, Tim Conner, Mazur @ Focus, Smith Optics and everyone I forgot, sorry. Everyone who has ever pushed a Levitate Skateboard in the past. Everyone who has ever toured or done a demo with us. Very special thanks to all the shops, skate parks, magazines, websites and social media that have and continue to support Levitate!
Interviewed By: Frank Lopes
