Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Hargrove
Hi Kiara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been skateboarding for 14 years. I started at the age of 10 when my family and I first moved to California. Many people know me as the only female skateboarder from Victorville, CA. I have been a professional skateboarder for two years and am the CEO of 1004 Skateboards, a brand I founded in 2021. I sponsor five other skateboarders, and together we go on tour, host skateboarding events, compete in contests, and more. Over the years, I didn’t realize that, while I admired other notable skateboarders, I was also building my own fanbase. I put God first, stayed focused, and kept the momentum going. I am a self-made visionary who faced several closed doors and overcame the challenges of being different from the average female, but I never gave up. Many might wonder how Kiara ended up in Michigan. While I’m known for my pro skateboarding career, I’m also an IT professional working for a Fortune 500 company, which brought me to Michigan. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, and I’ve been living in Detroit for the past two years.
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?
It was not a smooth road on my journey. I faced adversity and, at times, struggled with confidence because of it. I was often made fun of and frequently asked about my sexuality because I skateboarded and dressed a certain way. During the process of learning new tricks on a skateboard, there were times when I got hurt or felt frustrated. There was also a time when I was told I would be sponsored by a particular skate brand, only to later learn that it couldn’t happen due to financial reasons. Over time, I discovered the power of self-belief and learned not to worry about what others think of me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
1004 Skateboards is an American skateboard company that produces skateboards and apparel. “1004” is a Korean word when written in numerical text. 천사 (chunsa) means “angel” in Korean, and I was drawn to the concept of 1004 symbolizing “angel” in the Korean language. Many people often refer to me as an angel because of my kindness and compassion. The 100 points emoji with the number 4 behind it is the official logo of my brand. The logo came to life when people noticed I frequently used the emoji on social media platforms. 1004 also represents October 4th, which is my birthday. I am known as the CEO and a professional skateboarder for 1004 Skateboards. What sets me apart is that few have achieved what I am doing: an African American woman paving the way in a male-dominated field. What I am most proud of is building a brand from the ground up. It is not easy being a leader who showcases skateboarding while managing five other individuals, marketing, and making investments. What I want others to know about my brand is that we are women-owned, skater-owned, and African American-owned. While we primarily offer skateboards and apparel, we are not limited to these products for our consumers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
As I mentioned in response to another question, a closed door led me to start this brand. Mind you, my mother had been encouraging me to start my own brand since I first began skateboarding. Once I launched 1004 and announced my transition to becoming a pro, as well as the debut of 1004, I continued to scale up. I sold out of the initial samples I had in person within a week and began developing 1004 further through e-commerce. During this time, I also initiated the trademark process. My team and I have been thriving in trading goods and services online. We actively listen to our customers’ feedback, and I’ve built an excellent system with our graphic designer—my cousin—to deliver great products. One challenge I faced in my business was having to part ways with some previous riders on the team. As a leader, I didn’t anticipate needing to dismiss individuals who were no longer aligned with the new heights and vision of 1004.
Pricing:
- Decks – $50.00
- Fingerboards – $17.70
- Beanies – $21.00
- Shirts – $15.00
- Hoodies – $34.00 (varies)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1004skateboards.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1004skateboards/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenzerofourskate/
- Twitter: https://x.com/1004skateboards
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1004skateboards
- Other: https://www.kiarahargrove.com/
