Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hall.
Hi John, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I began my career in the surf industry, which offered a flexible schedule and allowed me to surf during lunch or arrive at work later if the waves were good. However, I ended up making a career pivot during COVID and switched to the family business of construction management. My schedule became more rigid, making it challenging to surf. To continue surfing, I had to wake up first thing in the morning and go early before work. Sometimes I even paddled out in the dark. I found that starting my day in the ocean made me feel better physically, put me in a better mindset, and made me a better employee. During my early morning surf sessions, I noticed other people who were also changing into their work clothes after surfing. We shared nods of camaraderie, acknowledging our commitment to waking up early and doing what we love before starting work. A lot of people thought I was crazy for waking up ahead of the sun to get in the cold ocean before work, but there was a dedicated group of people that understood the feeling and the draw of the ocean. This inspired me to create First Light Surf Club (FLSC) to celebrate that group and encourage more people to surf in the morning. FLSC has a line of apparel and accessories available but more than building a brand, our goal is to grow a community. To achieve this, we organize community meetups every third Thursday of the month called Sip & Rip, where we enjoy coffee at the beach and go surfing before heading to work. Follow along on social media for details about the next one. All are welcome, and we’d love to have you join! Additionally, I conduct spotlight interviews with local surfers to learn what motivates them and how morning surfs contribute to their well-being. Our mission is to inspire and motivate others to start their days doing what they love, no matter how busy life can get.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have a lot of ideas for the brand and community, but finding the time to implement them all is the biggest challenge. It’s just me running First Light Surf Club, and I work full-time on top of that, so I stay pretty busy. However, I am fortunate to have some incredible friends who have helped me out with things along the way. The brand has received a lot of positive feedback, and the community continues to grow. It’s rewarding to see people connect with the brand and meet amazing individuals through it. It’s also been incredible to have other local businesses reach out to collaborate and help support the community we’re growing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
First Light Surf Club is a community, brand, and lifestyle founded in North County San Diego dedicated to the working persons who surf before the start of the 8 to 5. We love surfing, good coffee, and community. We believe starting your day surfing at first light with community is an extremely beneficial way to improve mental health, promote physical wellness, reduce stress, and decrease burnout in the workplace. We are creating a space that celebrates that and empowers people to make the most of their mornings before the demands of the day begin. We offer a range of apparel and accessories, as well as community events like Sip & Rips. We’re also expanding our content with spotlight articles and podcast interviews featuring local surfers and business owners who share our mission.
How do you define success?
I’m just having fun with this. I enjoy having First Light Surf Club as an outlet for my personal creative expression, but the fact that people are resonating with it and a community is growing through it is the most fulfilling thing. I also want to continue to use it as a means to donate proceeds to amazing organizations like Urban Surf 4 Kids and Brown Girl Surf who are helping spread positivity and growing the sport of surfing. So, I guess with that being said, success for me is to continue to create a space where my passions and talents align and, through that, make a positive impact on the community while inspiring individuals to do what they love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://firstlightsurf.club/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstlightsurfclub/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-light-surf-club
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@firstlightsurfclub
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Uma2d3XOagsIX430D2BfC
Image Credits
Aaron Cantleberry
Phillip Hernandez
