Tag Archives: Minnesota

AZZA – skateboarding & design company for girls by girls

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Recently I got asked to check out AZZA skateboards.

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I read all my e-mail, comments & direct messages so I was like sure.  And this one is legit it’s a company started by a girl for girls.  The mission build a bridge between art and athleticism.

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As someone who 100% sees skateboarding as sport & art – I was interested to learn more.  Here’s my interview with the founder/creator Tessa Slisz.

SF:  When did AZZA start and by who?  Is AZZA in the US or ???

TS:  AZZA was started by me in June of 2016. I am a Minnesota girl that resides in Arizona, where we are currently based. I create all of our designs and artwork in addition to running the company.  Our boards are available on our website, but I hope to get them into some local shops in the near future.

SF:  How long a process was it from we’re going to do this to we have a board to sell?

TS:  The original idea came to me a few years ago. I am a graphic designer, and I’ve always been an athletic person, so I wanted to do something that bridged athleticism and art. In 2014, I heard about Skateistan, which is a non-profit that empowers girls through skating, and that inspired me to start AZZA. I like the idea of representing and empowering women through my work, and I realized that I could do that through skateboarding. Skateboarding in general has such an awesome, free spirit to it, and as a designer, it’s such a unique, creative outlet. 
I got really serious about making AZZA a reality in 2015, and it took about a year and a half to figure out the business side of things, design the first set of decks, and finally get it up and running.

SF:  What was your first board or boards?  And you’re about skateboards and longboards?

TS:  Yes, I’m making both skateboards and longboards. The very first design I made was the “SIREN” skateboard, but all the decks we currently have came shortly after that one. It kind of opened the floodgates in helping me realize what I wanted AZZA to be.

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SF:  Where are they available?

TS:  Currently, the boards are only available at www.azzaskateboards.com. We hope to get them into some local shops soon too!

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SF:  What’s next?  What’s the best way to stay informed on more designs follow your IG or ???

TS:  The best way to stay informed on new products and other news is to follow us on Instagram (@azzaskateboards) and Facebook (facebook.com/azzaskateboards).

 We’ll be releasing a new longboard design in the next couple of weeks, and then a few more designs in the months after that. I’m also working on some enamel pin and t-shirt designs as well that I hope to have available before winter comes around.
Overall, I hope that AZZA can become a positive, empowering influence for girls and help them feel more at home in the skateboarding world. I would also love to be able to work with a non-profit like Skateistan in the future.
Thank you so much Tessa.  As Girlboss says – We’re better together! So happy to share what you’re creating.  And excited to announce
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if you’re a girl that NEEDS a deck – not just wants – from AZZA let me know.

Support and encouragement is for everyone but this deck is for a girl – so if you are or know a girl in NEED of a deck let me know.  Be following AZZA on instagram for more details.

 

Minnesota Update – Princesses of the Groms

Last time I wrote about Minnesota it was

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during the collage of #girlscanskate USA.  Now I’m writing about Minnesota – even the same park because of a picture that my friend Minna sent me of Lanie who’s 10 and Ashley who’s 8.  They are just starting to skate & asking their mom to go back to 3rd Lair.

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Minna went to the the 3rd Lair in Minnesota for the King of the Groms Contest.

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Minna goes every year.  Well not every year she’s only 10 and it’s been going on for 13 years.

King of the Groms is coed & all about highlighting youth skateboarding – for more info check them or 3rd Lair out

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If Minna looks familiar it’s because I’ve blogged about her before because she’s one of my favorite princesses

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and she’s been on the Today Show & NY Times

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and – yes the one good photo my dad took was of her & it got in Vogue!

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& now because she  shared the picture of Princess Groms at the 3rd Lair.

More girls skateboard when they see stylish girls skateboarding & get encouragement – so share your pictures of girls skateboarding – any level, any board, any where in the world #girlscanskate.

Outside the Comfort Zone in Minnesota

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El_ventures – shares this photo of her & El_mn_op out of our comfort zone at the 3rd Lair Skate Park.

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I read somewhere – Great things never came from comfort zones.  I agree and as for Ellie

I picked up skateboarding this year to help me progress my snowboarding skills in the off season. I love the creativity and style that comes with board sports- there’s always something new to learn!

I’m sure she keeps it stylish on & off both boards.  This blog isn’t just about encouraging girls to skate – it’s about getting people to encourage each other to venture outside the comfort zone with style!