Professional Skateboarders get paid to promote products just by skating to emblazoned the brand logo of the sponsors to the mass.
Similarly, pro skaters make money by competing in skateboarding competitions, shows, and events. They make a living with a combination of sponsorships, endorsements, and prizes. They are like rockstars living the dream.
But Square Up skateboards pro Weckingball says that "a lot of pro skaters out there are working multiple jobs behind the scenes and couch surfing to keep their careers afloat."
When asked about the "D-list pros" content he made on his Patreon, the 33-year-old was blunt. "I want to show these kids the reality of what it's going to be like if you're trying to be a pro skater, or if you pursue any kind of creative art." He tells in his Dose skateboarding interview.
The regular-footed pro sees more promise to get creative and be your own boss. "My main point isn't to not try to be a pro skater, but to do it yourself. Like, if you want to do that, make your own brand and get paid. Pay yourself." He said.
Weck explains that kids shouldn't sell their media that they worked hard for. "Don't sell it to a brand for them to give you a percentage when they have also the ability to fire you."
Only a few pro skaters are making it big in the skate industry which Weck pointed out.
"A lot of them are working side jobs and they won't tell anybody. They're ashamed of it, it's like they want to keep up this image that they're like rockstars and shit." He mentioned.
Skateboarding legend Heath Kirchart is the perfect example of having a bright mind with a side hustle process.
"Kirchart, when Emerica was popping like 15 years ago, he was delivering pizzas at nights." Weck said. "He was selling pizzas in his spare time, and he was paying all his bills with that."
"And then he saved all of his Emerica paychecks and then once the money stopped coming to him, he had all this money saved up from the paychecks that he saved, that he started his bar in LA, that Black Bar and now he's doing great. He was really smart about it." Weckingball explained.
Regardless of being a professional skateboarder or just a regular skater loving the scene, it is recommended that you should not limit yourself. You can be a skater, work 9-5, have a business, and create multiple streams of income.