Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Ventura.
Hi Jack, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Idea for Faro Board Bags was created while on the road traveling, surfing, and looking for a new creative project to sink my teeth into.
I was spending a lot of time traveling after college and knew I wanted to start a business. I explored other options outside of the surf industry and nothing seemed to have enough soul. Other business options I explored seemed to only have money and profit-driving them, and I knew I wanted to start something with more depth than that.
Also, while on the road, I noticed the need for goods that lasted a long time. The amount of overconsumption in the world is crazy, too often I would hear people say “don’t worry if it breaks, you can just get a new one…” This was what I knew I had to change.
So, I continued surfing, traveling, and working odd jobs until it kinda randomly hit me – to combine surfing and travel through a product that facilitates both!
And just like that Faro board bags was born.
I did a fair share of market research before launching to work out my branding angles and make sure there was a need for what I was creating.
The main reason I thought this idea would work, was that it was something that I wanted! I knew I needed to be passionate about the process and the product if I was going to take on starting my own business.
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?
A lot of struggles along the way, as with every business…. Fabric sourcing for Faro has been difficult. We aim to always use recycled or other sustainable materials like hemp or dead-stock canvas but this can be difficult at times to find/ source at a competitive price. One thing I found is that the price of stuff on the internet varies SO MUCH. Some advice I would give to someone starting out is to keep calling, emailing, and talking to people. You will find what you are looking for and for your target price after enough hard work and research.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started Faro as a way to bring long-lasting, sustainable products to the surf industry and to create a brand/ products that people could really feel connected with.
My background was not in business, product design, branding, or anything of relevance…
I was a surf-bum-bartender always saving up money for the next trip.
But I knew if I was passionate about something I could learn the skills and get something going! So I learned about business, branding, and how to sew – Sewing the bags was never the plan but with a low budget to start and unsure if the market would respond well to the product, I decided to teach myself to sew and make the bags myself! Since then we have expanded to a team of seamstresses located here in San Diego who help make the bags with me.
Surfboard bags are our main product and we have expanded into other items but we keep our core values in mind. Each item is sustainable which means it is first and foremost made to last a really long time. Secondly, it is crafted from sustainably sourced materials and made close to home.
Sustainability is non-negotiable for me. We are a “sustainable brand” but that wasn’t really the idea starting out. I just didn’t see the need to purchase materials that caused more harm than they needed to.
We always strive to put people and the planet ahead of profit.
I think that alone (putting people and the planet ahead of profit) solves a problem for people. Not a lot of brands in the surf industry are doing that.
The next big problem I wanted to solve was having a surfboard bag that people could feel connected to, that worked well, and looked badass! Something that focused on the journey and not the product…
I am very proud of where the brand has come and of the utility of our products! We still have a long way to go and a lot of new product ideas to develop but I know that this endeavor has been worth it solely by the community Faro has built in such a small amount of time!
If there is anything I want y’all to know it is that Faro is a place for us, for you, for me, for the adventure!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about San Diego is the surf and the community! What I love the least is the lack of good, New York style breakfast sandwiches! If anyone knows where I can get a bacon-egg-cheese-salt-pepper-ketchup let me know!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://faroboardbags.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faro_boardbags/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farosurfboardbags/
Image Credits
@matt.hume
