Interview With Entrepreneur, Avid Surfer And Shaka Surf Store’s Founder, Dominick Taylor

1- Hello Dom, Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Dom Taylor and I’m the founder of Shaka Surf Store.

2- What are your focus areas and why?

I’m passionate about surfing and the environment. After working in the surf industry I saw some pretty unsustainable practices when it came to logistics and manufacturing. I wanted to make a difference and that’s when I decided to set-up Shaka Surf Store about two years ago.

3- How do you describe “Shaka Surf Store” in few words?

It’s an online store that sells eco-friendly surf fins. All our fins are made from recycled materials and plastics.

4- Where do you think it’s making an impact?

We’re taking plastics out of the ocean and putting them to better use. I think most surfers and non-surfers alike appreciate what we do.

5- What the word “Surfer” really means to you?

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To be a surfer is on the one hand a very selfish pursuit, it often means you’re going to let down people close to you because you want to go surf good waves at the drop of a hat. On the other hand, I think most surfers have some level of environmental awareness and will do their best to be good custodians of mother Earth. So, I guess being a surfer for me is about surfing when there are good waves and try to give back a little whenever you can.

6- And where do you see “Shaka Surf Store” in the next 5 years?

I’d love to open a bricks and mortar store somewhere near a beach, that probably seems a bit counter-intuitive as everything has been moving online these days, but I’d think it’d offer a more personal connection and would be cool to meet people from different walks of life.

7- If you could turn the time, what would you love to change in regards
to way you launched Shaka Surf Store?

Hmm. That’s a tough one as we’ve not been going too long and still on a learning curve. There’s probably a million different things we could have done when we launched. Probably we should have set a better business plan and clear defined goals, but we thought it was better to be more agile in the beginning.

8- What is the “one-word” advice you will give to our readers when it comes to succeeding and especially the ones who are just starting?

Don’t be afraid of failure or what other people are telling you. If you truly want to do something and make a success of it, you will!

9- What are you most excited about at the moment?

We have a couple things in the pipeline I’m excited about. But, probably developing the product range and growing the business.

10- The last word or final thoughts?