Exploring Life & Business with Matt Nelson of Joe’s Surf Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Nelson.

Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our journey goes way back to 1986 when we started with Saddleback Materials, which was all about materials and industrial products. Since 1986 we sold over 50 million sandbags to southern California. We worked on the toll roads, freeways, all things construction in SoCal. We spent decades working in that space, really building a solid foundation. But in 2014, we decided to shift gears a bit and dive into something that we were really passionate about – the surf culture. That’s when we launched Joe’s Surf Shop in Laguna Beach, blending our love for the ocean with the business experience we had. It’s been a pretty wild ride transitioning from materials to surf shirts and gear, but it’s worked out, and we’re loving it!

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?
Oh, it has its ups and downs. When we were running the material business, it was super dependent on the weather, and during El Niño years, it could get pretty crazy. Some seasons would be booming, while others were a bit of a rollercoaster, which kept us on our toes. But when we shifted into surf culture and launched Joe’s Surf Shop, it felt like a whole new world. The transition into surf clothing and gear has been an absolute blast. It’s more aligned with what we love, and the community around it has been so supportive. Honestly, it’s been a lot more fun. Especially with some of our other brands like Koloa, Saddleback, Salty Joe’s, & Cattle Creek Ranch.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Joe’s Surf Shop?
Our mission at Joe’s Surf Shop is to bring back that old-school surf vibe with clothing that really stands for something. We’re all about classic heavyweight cotton, the kind of stuff that lasts and feels good, combined with designs that have meaning behind them. These aren’t just random graphics slapped onto a shirt and shipped out to your local discount shop. We put a lot of thought into every design, making sure it connects with the surf culture we love and the community we’re part of. We want people to feel that when they wear our gear, they’re wearing a piece of authentic surf history.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
One of the biggest things we learned was just how close-knit our family business really is. When everything was uncertain, we leaned heavily on our family to keep things running smoothly.

Pricing:

• Buy 2 Long Sleeves Get 1 Free Sale
• Buy 2 Performance Shirts Get 1 Free Sale
• New Customers Get 10% Off

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joessurfshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joessurfshop/

Image Credits
Gracie Shafqat – IG @photobygshaf Abbeyjophotos – IG @abbeyjophotos