Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Shetler.
Anthony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At the age of 12 my father was shot and killed. He was in a motorcycle gang and was gun down by a rival club while he was riding his motorcycle. I then had to go live with my mother in the projects of New Bedford Ma. She was strung out on heavy drugs and spiraling out of control. Fortunately for me this is the exact time I found out about skateboarding! I met a kid who was passionate about skating and he opened up a whole new world to me! I was instantly hooked and never put my board down again, partly because it was great therapy to help me work out all my issue from the drama I’ve experience in my life at a young age but mostly because skateboarding is unbelievable fun! This was over 23 years ago! I dedicated all of my time and energy into pursuing a professional career as a skateboarder. This paid off when I had a chance to ride for some of the biggest brands in skateboarding (5boro, Birdhouse, Zoo York & World Industries) I had the opportunity to get paid to ride my board & travel all around the globe. It was unbelievable and some of the most unforgettable moments of my life! I had over 20 pro model skateboards & multiple pro model shoes with my name on them selling all around the world, Dream come true!
Then the great recession hit. I lost all my sponsors and had to start from square one! Instead of giving up and just getting a job I decided to start my own brand “All I Need” with the little savings I had. The way I looked at it was that I was fortunate enough to get to experience the full dream of being a professional skateboarder now it was my turn to take on the responsibility of creating, building and maintaining a brand so that I can help other young skaters achieve the same dreams I was lucky to experience. Thus the ALL I NEED movement was born!
Has it been a smooth road?
The hardest part about building a brand is creating value and awareness! We have had some struggles along the way but we always seem to overcome them. Our AIN philosophy is that inches add up and good things take time to build. We push ourselves to gain the skills that are needed for growth! It is the most rewarding feeling when I sit back and look at how far we have come as a brand and as people. Struggles are good because we can learn and grow from them!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a brand we produce skateboards & apparel, create skate content in the form of vlogs (youtube.com/allineedskate) & podcasts (The Shetler Show Skate podcast available free on iTunes, Spotify) We throw live events for our skate community such as our annual amateur skateboard event the “New England Am” which we host at The Edge indoor skatepark here in Taunton Ma. Next November it will be our fifth year of our event! Hundreds Skate shops & skateboarders show up from all over the world to compete in our contest. Every year has been unbelievable and I’m excited for more!! What sets us apart is that we want to help the skateboarding community grow because we understand how important something as silly as a skateboard can be for individual self-development.
Please check out allineedskate.com for all of our products and content!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes I feel any place is a good place to start a business you are passionate about! We have all we need right in front of us we just have to stay inspired and continue to work toward our goals!
Contact Info:
- Website: allineedskate.com
- Email: allineedskate@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allineedskate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALLINEEDSKATE/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/allineedskate?lang=en
Image Credit:
Karim Ghonem
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Sharon Green
May 22, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Thanks so much for doing this piece on Anthony Shetler. I hope you go to his November event. He is to humble to be sure, he gives of himself constantly. Any money he makes goes back into his company and his skaters. He works a full time job to pay the bills then runs AIN to keep his team going. He’s gone to schools and talked to kids about drugs, he goes down to the projects and gives away thousands of dollars in skate clothing and boards but won’t even go shopping for himself. He is always there to help his family out not all of them were as lucky as him. He isn’t just a positive role model but just an epic person as well. One that has a true desire to connect to his community and truly make it a better place .