Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Cressey
Hi Joshua, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Skateboarding has always been a huge part of my life. Growing up in a small town in Maine, I spent countless hours skating through my neighborhood—it became part of my identity. This past Christmas, I created a personalized skateboard for a friend back home, and their reaction was unforgettable. They told me it made them feel like a pro skater, and that moment sparked something in me. I realized I could merge my artistic abilities with my passion for skateboarding to create something unique.
When I returned to Jacksonville, I got to work designing and building custom boards, experimenting with new ideas and styles. I launched an Instagram page to showcase my work while laying the groundwork for my own skate brand. My goal is to not only create high-quality boards but also build a brand that represents creativity and individuality in the skate community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building this brand on my own has come with a lot of challenges, especially since so much of it is new to me. I’m funding everything myself—no loans, just my paycheck—so every decision matters. Right now, I create each design entirely by hand, using an X-Acto knife and a pen to map out the cuts. Each board takes me about 8 to 10 hours to complete, but seeing the final product makes every minute worth it.
Since I’m financing everything independently, I have to be extremely precise with my materials to keep costs low. Finding the right vendors has also been a challenge, but I recently connected with Woodchuck Laminates and will be placing an order soon to produce my own boards for the public.
One of the biggest hurdles has been building traction. As someone with little experience in social media, it’s been a steep learning curve, but I’m figuring it out as I go. Despite the challenges, I’m committed to growing my brand and making a real impact in the skateboarding community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I want to create something truly unique—boards that feel special and personal. Whether it’s paying tribute to a musical artist, bringing a meaningful word or phrase to life, or designing a name in a way that reflects someone’s passions, I strive to make each piece one-of-a-kind.
Even though each board takes hours to complete, the time and effort are worth it because of the personal touch I get to pour into every design. My goal is to create more than just skateboards—I want to craft meaningful pieces that resonate with people and tell a story.
I have several exciting projects in the works right now. I’m in the process of ordering custom boards featuring my logo, as well as shirts that represent the Unknown Eskate brand. I’m also working on building a website to showcase my progress and connect with the skate community.
My goal is to have everything fully operational and start generating a profit by the end of the year. Every step I take is bringing me closer to turning this vision into reality, and I’m excited to see how the brand continues to grow.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is bringing life into what I do. Even once I start making a profit, I won’t be putting it into my own pocket—it will all go back into building the business and the dream I’ve always had, opening my own skate shop with an indoor skate park.
I want to create a space where people feel safe, welcomed, and free to skate no matter the weather. With so many negative influences on the streets, I want my business to be a beacon of light—a place where skaters can come together, free of judgment, to skate, jam, and express themselves. My brand is about more than just skateboards; it’s about individuality, creativity, and the freedom of expression that skateboarding represents.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unknowneskate/
