Launch Snowboards Interview
Launch states it is based on quality, not quantity. How long was Launch around as an idea before becoming reality? How many people had to come together to form Launch snowboards?
It’s been an idea that has been in R&D since 2004. We really took our time to make sure we were making quality product that included the right shapes and flex patterns. We attended SIA for the buying season of 09/10, so you can see how much time we put into developing our products before they became available to the public.
We have a lot of people who have helped in the growth of the brand: everyone in-house including our sales manager, all our great reps on the road hitting up the shops, our distributors worldwide, team riders, and our community of artists. They all deserve a lot of thanks for their contributions.
Were there specific aspects of the actual snowboard you wanted to improve (whether through personal experience or other rider’s input/general consensus in the community)?
Thinking about it now, there is probably a lot that I wanted to improve besides the physical products we produce. Having ridden for a lot of different brands as a pro rider, you realize the strengths and weaknesses of the brands. So the weaknesses of brands and the missed opportunities really drove me to start Launch, basically out of frustration.
Our experience with the frustrations of the shortcomings of other brands taught us that it is important to listen to what your team riders, retailers and consumers are looking for and need. We really do focus on the needs of the snowboard community and tailor our products to the input and suggestions we receive all the time. That’s a priority and what we think sets us apart.
How much has Launch grown since its start in 2004? Where is HQ?
The brand and especially the brand awareness has grown a lot – more than we could have hoped. After deciding to bring the brand out in the 09/10 season, we went international practically overnight. We had offices in PA and Tahoe but we are moving our east coast office to NJ and looking to get our west coast office down in SoCal, somewhere between San Diego and LA.
Do what you love, love what you do. Does Launch ever feel like work? Do co-workers feel like friends? Is it all business in the workplace, or does the snowboarder mentality come out?
Honestly, it really doesn’t feel like work at all. I know that is rare for someone to say, but I love snowboarding and board sports in general, so it will never feel like work. It really feels like one big family here; we all have each others’ backs and we are all super supportive of one another. Probably the best way to put it when it comes to the business aspect is to work hard and play harder. So we all work really hard in order to spend a ton of time on snow.
Was it tougher to get Launch started, or maintaining the success you have now and finding more places to grow the company? Are you still looking to grow the company size-wise (geography, product lines, product depth)?
I think every company is tough to start in some way – which is probably the reason most people are afraid to start a company. I knew we had something that people wanted though, so we pushed hard to make it happen. The toughest part was the world’s economy collapsing and all the effects it had as a result.
We are growing in leaps and bounds; we are constantly getting more opportunities to grow. It is sometimes tough to keep up with the demand of the growth. We are definitely going to keep growing where there is demand whether it be geographically, in product line or product depth. We are very excited about our future product development. We have received some great feedback on our new offerings from shops and distributors who have seen previews.
How have the musicians and artists associated with Launch help shape the company’s goals? What prompted getting involved in those areas?
Music and art are intertwined with action sports, so it is basically a no-brainer for us to work with musicians and artists. Every snowboarder wants a killer graphic on his or her board and we all shred to some type of music when we ride. We are very stoked on the support that those communities have given to us. It is important to give them more exposure as well whenever we have the opportunity to do so. The amount of submissions we get from musicians and artists is insane.
We are working on some bigger things in those communities and you can definitely expect some showcases and events to come in the near future that will include artists and musicians alongside our athletes.
You’ve made a positive impact through charities. Care to speak on them at all?
I think it is just really important to give back any way you can. It doesn’t matter how, as long as you can help make someone’s day, or even their life, better. We are even in the process of starting a charity, just finding the key players to grow it and manage the day to day.
Is there anything in the near future you are excited to be participating in, or a place you are traveling to, or something you’re releasing from the company?
Every day we have exciting things going on. Off the top of my head, we are always excited to be involved with the 3rd Rail Jam. That is a great tour for up-and-coming riders. We are all going to be doing a lot of traveling worldwide, too soon to say what our favorite place will be, but we’re excited to take the brand to new spots and reach out to new groups of riders.
We are working on a binding right now that we are super stoked on. It will be released at this year’s SIA and in stores Fall 2012. We have had some really solid feedback on that and we are looking forward to seeing how the snowboard community takes to it.
You created a successful company in something you enjoy doing anyway. If there was anything you could make reality, whether it’s something you get to do and experience, something you change in the world, some awesome product you want in your life now, what might it be?
Wow, that is a pretty in-depth question. I always had the philosophy to “do what you love, love what you do.” And that is exactly what Launch is. It is always so awesome to see people riding our boards or people trying them for the first time and falling in love with them and all the positive feedback we get.
If I could change anything in the world, it would probably be to let everyone know they can Realize their Dreams. Too many people are afraid or feel that they can’t do something. If I listened to all the negative people and haters that claimed Launch couldn’t be created, no one would know about us. Just go for it – you only live once and no one gets out of here alive. If you have something you want to accomplish, do it, and don’t listen to people who say no.
What’s the best way to keep up on what Launch is doing?
Our website which is LaunchSnowboards.com and you can follow us on our Facebook page and Twitter.
Interviewee: Jon Callahan
Interview by: Taylor Kendall
