I don’t think it’s just me that feels like the world is in constant turmoil. Brexit, Trump, COVID, Cost of Living Crisis, NHS underfunded - it’s an endless depressing list of things that have chipped away at our lives. Perhaps ignorance really is bliss. At least it was before 24hr TV and Social Media to keep you up to date with the daily dose of misery. Hourly dose. Minute by minute sometimes.
And so we find ourselves on the precipice of another recession.
I’ve always said that what I do with Doric Skateboards doesn’t really matter. Seems daft to say that because obviously it doesn’t matter. I’m also always keen to say I do take the business very seriously but I don’t take myself very seriously. Even in good times what we do isn’t important. I know this but that doesn’t mean I don’t take it seriously.
Even taking into account my communist tendencies I realise that in life we want and need variety. We also need things to look forward to, the occasional treat - I know I do. Records are my vice - if I can get a record every month or so I am very happy and lucky (90’s era hip hip and grunge if anyone is interested!).
If I was to take a step back and put a sensible head on I would sell off everything in stock at a healthy discount and sell all my screen printing equipment and walk away with a couple of quid in my pocket. Maybe go on holiday or most likely keep it aside as this recession takes bite. But what else would I do with my time? My energy? My thoughts? Not too sure.
So it won’t really matter what external forces there are in the world, our country or our city - i’m going to always be going with Doric. We’ll keep our pricing as is and for as long as that works - I think the balance is right. £25 for a posted tee is comparable with other brands, £15 for a kids tee posted is a great deal.
We’ve got about 6 designs locked and loaded for clothing and plans to commit more time and effort to screen printing our own decks in small batches rather than the digitally printed stuff like Cull the Gulls, Jaws etc. Too much of a financial commitment at the moment and just not as satisfying to do - despite my love for those designs! : ) So we’ve got plenty to come this year and beyond and I hope they bring some happiness to folk.
Later this month we are going to do a wee fundraiser for Mental Health Aberdeen. We’ll have 3 or 4 decks up as prizes - a rare Stallan, a rare John Walters and the Test Print Hello Radical with an additional wee illustration on it by the artist themselves. More on this later but it would grand to raise a few quid for an essential service up here. And as this recession hits and the cost of living crisis bites our Mental Health services will be stretched thin - lets hope we can help with that.
Thanks for reading and for supporting. Take care. Gary.