Q&A with Yolo Board owners Jeff Archer/Tom Losee – UPDATED
Manufacture Q & A
Q: What made you want to be a board manufacture?
A: Jeff– We felt like SUP was going to be huge, and felt we had a story to tell from Florida.
Tom-It’s all about the process which is both artistic and creative. It brings instant gratification.
Q: How did you get the name of your company and why?
A: Jeff-We were looking for something unique and inspirational. YOLO (You Only Live Once) described how we felt about the experience of SUP.
Tom-It was after the first few experiences that we had stand-up paddling. The term “you only live once” define those moments. I immediately knew what I had been missing and felt that it would be so easy to share both from a practical and philosophical means.
Q: If you did it all again, what one thing would you change?
A: Jeff-Nothing, it has been a wild ride.
Tom-Nothing, it has been a great experience.
Q: Why a SUP manufacture?
A: Jeff-The first time I was on a SUP I paddled with a pod of dolphins, and said to Tom, we have to bring this experience to everyone. We started making boards the next week.
Tom-We need to be able to control our own destiny both in what we preach and the products that stand behind the philosophy.
Q: What do enjoy most about the sport of SUP?
A: Jeff– Watching people exceed their own expectations. It is a charge for me each time.
Tom-It is an all-inclusive club. I love seeing how fast people get “hooked.”
Q: How much do you get to paddle during a normal week?
A: Jeff-4-5 times
Tom-Even in the cooler/rainy season, I still try to get out 2-3 times a week. During “season” it’s every day for sure.
Q: Strengths?
A: Jeff-I never stop thinking about it. Weakness: I never stop thinking about it
Tom-Networking and practicing what I preach.
Q: What are goals for 2011?
A: Jeff- Launch YOLO Board Adventures (Full service rental business)
- Grow the YOLO Board Race Series Statewide
- New designs
- Grow local SUP community
- Participate in national SUP events
Tom-Reach more customers through our exciting new “Yolo Board Adventures”—a multi-income SUP business opportunity.
Q: What makes your motor run and what turns it off?
A: Jeff– Opportunity, Growing new Ideas, Meeting new People/Negative or Selfish people
Tom-Positive energy/negative energy
Q: Who do you most look up too?
A: Jeff-My wife for supporting me in doing what I need to do in order to grow this thing, for running the office, the home, and raising my two great kids, Jack and Sami.
Tom-Any entrepreneur who has taken a chance to fulfill a dream
Q: If you could lobby for one thing in the sport of SUP, what would it be?
A: Jeff-Our own identity as an Industry.
Tom-I think the door is still wide open and anything is possible.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: Jeff-Not enough time or money to travel to and paddle all of the amazing paddle destinations of the world.
Tom-People with their own agendas.
Q: It is 2020, where is the sport of SUP?
A: Jeff-In the Olympics, in university/school teams, a part of health club programming, accessibility almost anywhere where there is water.
Tom-In the Olympics and in every body of water anywhere.
Q: If there is one more thing you could do to complete your life, what would it be?
A: Jeff-Kick Byron Kurt’s ass at BOP.
Tom-See my children succeed at their dreams…