Ryan Clements, the public face in the industry for the Skatepark of Tampa team, is moving on after 15 years.
SPoT is one of the most respected retailers and forces in the skate industry, and brands big and small vie to be a part of the company’s skatepark, shops and online business.
I talked with Ryan this morning, and he said after 15 years it was time to focus on new opportunities, including his business management company, whose clients include some of the top skateboarders in the world.
Ryan said when he started at SPoT he knew nothing, and it was a great place to learn and grow. He ended up in the general manager position, negotiating sponsorship agreements with brands, and managing the retail businesses and the skatepark.
Now that 40 approaches, he is ready to start the next phase of his career, he said.
“I want to thank SPoT and their entire crew for the opportunities throughout my time there,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s business management firm, Excel, provides business services to 10 professional skateboarders. Excel pays bills for clients, makes sure taxes are filed on time, helps them understand deductions, manages credit cards, sets up 401k’s, gets health insurance, fills out mortgage forms, and more.
“We manage each pro skateboarder as if they were their own small business,” he said.
Clients include Paul Rodriguez, Shane O’Neill, Torey Pudwill, Austyn Gillette and Fred Gall.
I have observed Ryan over the years, and he is very respected in the industry and has deep relationships with many brands. I have a feeling he may be doing many other things in addition to Excel in the future.
