éS Footwear

éS Shop Interview: Focus Board Shop

Shop name: Focus Board Shop.
Year shop opened: February 2005.
Owner’s name: Miguel Sanchez.
Your name and job title: Kurt. I run the shop. From buying to the team to hiring, I do it all!
Address: 20025 Lake Forest Drive Suite # 103 Lake Forest, California 92630
Phone: (949) 595-4389
Shop hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; Friday - Saturday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Web site: Focus Board Shop

How’s the shop doing?
The shop is doing great! Since we took ownership in 2005, we couldn’t have asked for better support from our family and friends! The kids who shop and hang out here are the kids we thank everyday. They are the ones that have helped to make this happen. It seems like our shop is being spread through word of mouth, which to us is the best way of advertisement.

Who is your typical customer?
Our typical customer is, more often than not, a serious skateboarder. We are a specialty skateboard shop in one of the trendiest places on earth, Orange County! Considering that, we let all the “trend shops” handle OC’s typical trendy customer. We are a shop designed by skateboarder for skateboarders.

Do you have any interesting shoplifting stories?
One kid tried to steal a beanie and Dee Rosecrans (an 11-year-old Focus flow rider) followed him to the cross walk and told him to bring it back to the shop. The kid brought it back, crying his eyes out!

Also, one kid stole a pair of Krew Greco pants, size 28. He put a pair of his pants in place of the Krew’s, like we wouldn’t notice them. Again, one of our team kids found the kid the next day and confronted him about it. He ran away from the etnies Skatepark and has not returned anywhere near here since then. That was seven months ago.

Do you get any crazy people coming in off the street?
We do get some crazy people, but mostly close-minded people. Again, our shop is definitely a different flavor and style than the majority of the shops out here. Some people either get it (usually the ones that actually skate) and others just don’t get it at all, or they don’t want to get it.

Some kid, who we think was on crystal meth, tried to beat me up. He ripped me by my shirt and threatened to hit one of my staff guys on the head with his board, which he didn’t. We just bombarded him with niceness and positivity! He couldn’t take it, so he bitch slapped me then drove off.

Name the most popular skate videos currently playing in the shop.
The Satori Movement Mapping Time In Space.

Do you hold any special events like video premieres, signings, demos?
We have not done any special events yet, but we do have those in mind. We have only been open for almost a year, so once we are 100% in the shop, we will put attention on those types of events.

Do you have any future events coming up?
Yes, we are going to have a secret contest series. More info to come at the shop!

Are there any skateparks near your shop?
Yes, the etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest is located DIRECTLY across the street from our shop. Also, Ladera Ranch Skatepark isn’t too far away, which is a very good set-up.

Who are your shop team riders?
Ryan Grilley, Chance Moreno, Danny Greene, Aaron Amante, Dustin Sheesley, David Kim, Yash Mehta, Tyler Mumma, Ryan McWhirter and Sean Weikel. Our Team Manager is Lance Shiedenberger. We also have a flow type program with Brad Coleman, Nick Gates, Tanner Moreno, Chris Mumma, Brian Hansen, Ryan Danettelle, Alex Fuller, Cody Rosecrans and Dee Rosecrans.

Do you have any shop team riders who are flowed by éS Sales Reps or team flow?
Brian Hansen gets shoes from Scotty. We got footy and are looking for some shoes for the other guys. WHAT’S UP? ;)

What’s the best part of running a skate shop?
Running a skate shop is the best, because I do what I love! I love skateboarding! I have been obsessed with skateboarding for the past 10 years of my life, except when I had back-to-back knee surgeries, when I was all about NCAA College Football 2003 on PlayStation2. I also get to meet really cool kids and see the progression of skateboarding firsthand. It’s dope!

Which éS shoes sell the best in your shop?
The Accel or Accel Plus. The Accel is a timeless classic that will always be the first pick of top-notch skateboarders who need good board feel without compromising comfort. The Accel Plus is even better, because not only does it offer the same great shoe, but it also has System G2™ technology in the heel to prevent heel bruising. So, the Accel Plus is a timeless classic brought together with the latest technology designed for skateboarding. It does not get better than that.

What’s the best part about éS?
The best part about éS is that you guys are right across the street from us. I can order and pick up in a single day!

Shop Interviews, Interview.