Meet Raul Pinto

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raul Pinto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raul, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
How much skateboarding impacts youth at its core to build confidence and allow kids to find a home where other sports don’t. As well as how much the local skate shop has a community impact on parks and facilities where kids can participate (‘in our case greenblock diy skatepark and free programming and events)

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We’ve always tried to bridge the gap that a skate shop often creates. “ pushing with positivity” meeting with creativity and making a the shop welcoming to that little kid getting his/her first skateboard or a mom who is unsure about getting her kid their for a skateboard. The days of being exclusive and acting as gatekeepers as opposed to inclusive and offering kids the keys to success, lens itself to a healthy environment for everyone. It’s definitely not easy, but that has more to do with rising rents taxes, and the challenges of any small business.
We’ve overcome many challenges from growing too fast, trying to cater to too many avenues, and from that we’ve learned to focus a bit more on our lane. That has led to always taking that positive approach that’s why the plus sign is in our name “Sa+ellite”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Summertime would be a road trip loop very close to Boulder along Peak To Peak poking in and out of campsites, checking out local restaurants and supporting similar businesses to ours.

The list ,, A hike around royal arch , lunch at Argentina Rincon, skatin our local skatepark “greenblock’
Hapa sushi and roll it into hapa hour and a drink at the downer..
late night tunes at gold hill inn.
Wintertime .. early coffee at Ozo, Hot laps at Eldora, slap some high-fives and get our board tuned at Satellite, tacos at t-aco, late night at gold hill with the torment mag guys.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The shops that came before us, brothers boards in boulder (let’s be honest if they hadn’t decided to close we probably would’ve never opened Satellite) and, of course, all the local skaters, Snowboarder’s and community members that have participated over the years bring a spotlight and energy to what was once considered an outlier hobby.

Website: Satelliteboardshop.com

Instagram: Satelliteboardshop

Facebook: Satellite boardshop

Yelp: Satellite boardshop

Youtube: Thesatelliteboardshop

Image Credits
@jgphoto