Kenblock
Transcript of Kenblock
Ken Block
By: Mitch StappMrs. Moeller
Biography
• Born on November 21, 1967• Born in Long Beach, California• Currently lives in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Social Aspects
• He has participated in many action sports events
( Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Motocross, and Rally Racing)
• He is most popular for his rally racing• Spent most of his time back home drifting his
first car a VW GTI
How He Got His Start
• Went in half and half with Damon Way to start DC (Damon was brother of pro skateboarder Danny Way)
• They both had the idea that skateboarders like other athletes needed specialized shoes
The Beginning
• DC Shoes started as a very small operation with little financial backing
• The company eventually blew up and was acquired by Quicksilver
Current Status
• Ken Block is still currently co-operator with Damon Way and has recently been appointed with being the Chief Brand Officer of DC Shoes
Type of Business
• DC Shoes is classified as a partnership because there are two owners and they both share the profits and loss’ of the company
Philosophy
• He just believed that skateboarders need special shoes to compete at their highest potential
• He also runs his business as if it were a family
Education
• He studied computer design at Palomar Community College
• This is where he met his future business partner Damon Way
DC Name
• DC started as a Circus Distribution that had many branches and they eventually put all their focus into their shoes and changed the name from Circus Distribution to DC Shoes
Before DC
• In the very beginning Ken started making screen print shirts for skateboarders and it eventually evolved into the Eight Ball brand
• This started his interest in the skateboarding apparel and shoe industry
Racing Accomplishments
• In 2006 he got a sponsorship with Subaru• In 2007 he competed in the x-games 13 where
he placed second in the rally race and received a silver medal
• On January 6, 2010 the Monster World Rally Team announced Ken as their driver for selected rounds of the World Rally Championship
Interesting Fact
• DC had one bad year in 2002 when they had a very slim profit and they were audited by the IRS
• Following these troubles Billabong unsuccessfully tried to buy DC Shoes out
Innovation
• DC did research in the first privately owned facility for development of snowboarding products, the DC Mountain Lab
Ken Block and His Car
DC Shoes Ad