Blog - KNOWSHOW : KNOWSHOW

WE INTERVIEW INDUSTRY EXPERTS, DELIVER INSIGHTS AND IMPORTANT NEWS ARTICLES AND HIGHLIGHT THE LATEST BRANDS IN OUR BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FOR INDUSTRY PERSONNEL ACROSS CANADA.

IN THE KNOW with Ash Weeks of The Source

The Source has been built on core values since its inception in 1992 and has gone on to become one of the best and most trusted Skateboard and Snowboard shops in Alberta and one of Canada’s premiere retailers. Just hitting her 13th year at The Source, Ash Weeks has been an integral part of the business. A workaholic by nature, she has grown her professional life to include several roles at The Source, trying her best to continue to learn and grow along the way. Outside of work she is passionate about food, travel, animals, and trying new things; most recently in an attempt to conquer a fear of heights she completed a 250ft bungee jump! Back on solid ground, we sat down with buyer and online store manager Ash Weeks to catch up on what is new at the shop and how the last couple of years have been.

IN THE KNOW with Michael Costigan of Dollhouse Agency

Michael Costigan really needs no introduction! He has over 25 years of professional sales representation as well as many years of combined retail experience with his team at Dollhouse Agency. The pandemic saw him move his family from Deep Cove, North Vancouver to Whistler, BC where the agency is now located. With an emphasis on servicing the diverse range of retailers across Western Canada including snowboarding, mountain biking, surfing, skateboarding, skiing, travel; and lifestyle fashion retailers. We caught up with Michael to check in on the agency, discuss the last couple of years and see what the future holds.

IN THE KNOW with Garett & Mara Halayko of Catapult/Make Good Agencies

The Husband-and-Wife duo that is Garett and Mara Halayko are both well-known and well-loved industry veterans with over 20 years’ experience representing some of the biggest lifestyle brands from across the globe. In 2019 they made the decision to move their respective showrooms to their home in beautiful Squamish, BC, as it turned out, a very timely change ahead of what would become a worldwide pandemic. We sat down and caught up with Garett and Mara to chat about the last couple of years, brand and staff additions and the big news that they are combining their agencies into one new entity!

IN THE KNOW with Patricia Thornton of Psycho Tuna

Patricia Thornton, an avid surfer herself, spent nearly 10 years at Maui & Sons and helped revive that brand at core surf stores and high-profile accounts like PacSun before leaving to launch new brand Psycho Tuna in 2019. We caught up with Patricia to chat about launching a brand in the middle of the pandemic, the outdoor industry boom and growing in new markets now that tradeshows are back in action!

IN THE KNOW with Stephanie Vitali & Sarah Hart Of Wilhelmina Sales

For over a decade Stephanie Vitali and Sarah Hart of Toronto based Wilhelmina Sales Agency have represented some of the world’s most coveted womenswear, menswear and lifestyle collections. Working with many of the best retail partners across Canada, they have an amazing team and are just getting started! We sat down with Stephanie and Sarah to discuss the last couple of years, industry trends, crushing motherhood and business at the same time and a return to tradeshows!

IN THE KNOW with Sawyer Frank of Elastic Suite

Elastic Suite simply states that their software enables brands to present a curated product mix with a tool that inspires engagement and collaboration between manufacturers and retailers. Sawyer Frank is the Global Sales Director at Elastic Suite powered by Emerald. He’s a golfer, surfer, snowboarder and traveler and his role at Elastic is to help connect brands with their retail buyers through best-in-class commerce technology. We sat down with Sawyer to find out more about Elastic Suite and its role in the ever-changing wholesale landscape, pandemic highs and asked, are printed catalogues done?

IN THE KNOW with Tim Hoad of British streetwear brand King Apparel

King Apparel started in 2003 in the humble surroundings of London’s East End. At the time ‘streetwear’ as we now know it, didn’t exist. Owning and starting a brand was reserved for the corporations and privileged few. But childhood friends Timmy Hoad and Paul Linton had one simple aim – to change that and create a British streetwear brand that set the standard and uphold the culture that they are an integral part of.

IN THE KNOW with Creative Director & Pylon Skateboards Co-Founder Paul Higgins

Paul has been responsible for much of the KNOWSHOW branding over the last 15 years and is the man behind our new look! What a perfect time to sit down and talk branding, pandemic ventures and how the industry has evolved over the years.

IN THE KNOW with Asif Moola of Momentum

Momentum continues to push the shop-local movement while curating globally. With in-store activations, they have a strong focus on their neighbourhood while constantly trying to enhance both their in-store and online shopping experience. We caught up with Momentum’s owner Asif Moola to talk business, review the last couple of years and get an idea of what the future holds.

IN THE KNOW with Nick Russell of Rip Curl

Growing up on the Northern beaches of Sydney and receiving his first Rip Curl wetsuit for his 9th birthday, Nick always had a strong connection to the Rip Curl brand. Starting his career in the Media & Advertising Industry, Nick worked with brands such as Qantas, Nestlé, L’Oréal, and 20th Century Fox. After being introduced to snowboarding at the ripe old age of 22, Nick packed his bags and headed to Canada to do a season at Big White. One season turned into seven. During his time at Big White he was tasked with opening, managing, and buying for the first snowboard shop at the resort.

IN THE KNOW with J.S. Weir of Dangerous Sales

J.S. has been working in retail/wholesale board-sports and fashion for 25 years. Starting on the sales floor of skate/snow/surf shops in Ontario and Nova Scotia, his passion for the three board-sports brought him to BC in 2006. Shortly after arriving he began working in the wholesale/distribution side of the business as a brand manager for various skate/action sports brands, eventually becoming the National Sales Manager for Sanuk Footwear and ultimately led to him starting his own agency in 2015. His agency Way Dangerous Sales represents Adelio Wetsuits, Banks Journal, Lost Surfboards, Psycho Tuna, Speaqua Sound Co, and Wonderland Sunglasses.

IN THE KNOW with Adam Cook of Layback Co

Layback Co, a hammock company founded in 2015 by friends Adam Cook and Justin Chorney is named after an old-school classic skate trick and the friend’s laidback approach to life. After a successful appearance on Dragons Den which saw all of the Dragons vying for their business opportunity the brands business kicked into gear but production issues hampered any immediate success. Now with new business and creative partners involved and production issues sorted, Layback Co is back and excited to get back to it! We sat down with Adam Cook to catch up!

IN THE KNOW with Gavin Rich of Tough Duck

Tough Duck was founded in Winnipeg in 1939 by 5th generation clothier Abraham Rich. Abe was a young fabric cutter, new to Canada and working at a pant factory. One day, Abraham asked his boss for a 10 cents/hour raise. Instead of a raise, Abe was fired, and “Winnipeg Pants and Sportswear” was born.

IN THE KNOW with Heather Favalaro

Heather Favalaro got her start in the industry working the phones at the front desk of a well-known Vancouver distribution business before returning home to Ontario manage ski and snowboard events at Blue Mountain. However, the call of the West Coast would pull her back and Heather landed with Ed Lachelt and the team where she managed the women’s division of Element for almost three years. Ultimately Heather made the move back to Ontario where she spent close to 8 years managing brands including Cheap Monday and Just Female amongst others for C2 Apparel. In 2018 Heather left C2 to open her own retail store, homme|femme in Collingwood and not long after joined the sales team at Timebomb to represent Minimum and Dr Denim for Ontario. We took a minute to catch up on life, chat retail, pivots and the return of tradeshows!

IN THE KNOW with Joey Sandberg of The Choice

The Choice in Cranbrook, BC, began life in 1996 as Boarders Choice and was originally owned by Pro Skateboarder Paul Machnau, what started as a small space to chill, watch skate videos, and occasionally sell a few t-shirts has since changed owners, moved a few doors down and is now known simply as The Choice. We sat down with owner Joey Sandberg to chat turning 40, business during the pandemic and thoughts about getting back to tradeshows!

AT THE SHOW with Dickies

Born from workwear roots in the form of Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co back in 1922, as a bib overall company, Dickies has since become the largest workwear manufacturer in the world. Time passed, and this tough tailoring influenced their service industry clothing and eventually, their streetwear. When skaters picked up on the hard-wearing nature of Dickies apparel in the 80s and 90s, they knew it could provide skateboarding pants that would survive scrapes on concrete, steel, timber and asphalt. In the 90’s Julien Stranger and the Anti-Hero team and SF Based skaters started wearing Dickies. They made it cool, and by skating in it, the influence started. Now, as long as you fit in your pair, you’ll fit in wherever you skate.

IN THE KNOW with Shane Johnsen of Tribute Boardshop

Tribute Boardshop in Nelson, BC opened its doors in 2003 and is fast approaching its 18-year anniversary! Owner Shane Johnsen is close to hitting a significant milestone himself, after spending 25 years in the Nelson snowboard and skateboard retail business. From pandemic pivots to new ventures, we sat down with Shane to catch up on life and business.

IN THE KNOW with Kris Lee of Empire

Empire ushered in a new era of skate and snowboard retail with the opening of their first store in August 1999. Now more than 20 years later with over 10 stores across Quebec they continue to redefine the standards in action sports retail. We took some time out with Director of Purchasing, Kris Lee to find out how they have navigated the last 18 months and what their hopes are for the future.

MEET YOUR NEW GM: Scott Murray-Burrows

For the last 20+ years Scott Murray-Burrows has been actively involved in all aspects of the action-sports, lifestyle and fashion wholesale business. Working with numerous brands and companies during that time, Scott has built up some impressive credentials and is no stranger to KNOWSHOW. Now joining Cube Media as their New Sales and General Manager for the show, Perry Pugh sits down to catch up with Scott on his exciting new role!

IN THE KNOW with Ed Lachelt

For over 25 years, Ed Lachelt’s agency – Lachelt Marketing – has been putting in the work. Over the years they’ve successfully managed countless in-demand brands and through the standard set by Ed’s effort and customer service, the agency has built an impressive customer list of over 400 accounts in Western Canada.

IN THE KNOW with Jennifer Rainnie

If you have been around this business for any amount of time, you’ve witnessed Jennifer Rainnie’s hustle. She has played a major part in the sales, marketing and distribution of many influential swimwear brands for over 20 years. In 2015, armed with a vision and her trademark hard work, she set out to create her own brand Malvados and has been at the helm of all creative, sales & marketing initiatives for this growing company since.

IN THE KNOW with Garret Louie

Garret Louie needs no introduction. Working at the helm of some of the most influential companies in the lifestyle-fashion & nightlife, his fingerprints are all over our business and the culture that flourishes around it. We caught up with Garret to check in on the biz, his experience and what the pandemic has taught him, and the joy of cleansing.

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