Built, not backed: Sebastian Quevedo and Galeria Skateboards.
Words and interview by Shannon Farrugia
Photos by Deven Flanagan, Will McDonald, Adam Tabone, Sebastian Quevedo
Sebastian Quevedo, founder - Galeria Skateboards.
Photo: Flanagan
I'd be lying if I said I'd never dreamed of starting my own skateboard company.
For years, I entertained grand visions of approving board graphics with a team of designers, signing the world's best skateboarders, travelling the globe on filming missions, organising demos, and building a brand that people genuinely cared about. In my mind, we'd make plenty of money, everyone would be paid what they were worth, the team would feel like family, and life would be pretty sweet. I'd be like the next Mike Carroll and Rick Howard, or maybe even Steve Rocco back when World Industries was cool. I’d call my brand “Nowra Girl”, or “Nowra Industries” or something…But hey, I’m just spit-ball’n here.
Reality though…
Starting an independent skateboard brand is hard as fuck. It's about surviving razor-thin margins, competing in an oversaturated market, standing out against “skateboarding adjacent” multinational companies with enormous budgets, and somehow finding the time and energy to keep creating while wearing every hat in the business, not to mention, keeping your day job so you can still pay the rent.
Let me introduce you to Sebastian Quevedo. Seb is the founder of Newcastle based Galeria Skateboards, and unlike the romantic version of brand ownership I used to imagine, he's a realist. He understands what it takes to build something from the ground up, the sacrifices involved, what it means to wrestle with expectations, truth, and the relentless work required to keep an independent brand alive.,
I recently caught up with Seb to hear an outline of his story, and touch-upon why, despite all the challenges, there's never been a more important time to create something of your own.
Shan
Why start a skateboard brand when there are already so many out there?
It was more of a community project and an artistic outlet. I knew the market was already flooded, but I felt like we needed something different.
Galeria team rider, Sam Mitchell soars out of the worst/best euro gap on Earth.
Photo: Quevedo
What’s the story behind the name “Galeria”?
The first name was "Gallery Skateboards". Then one of our artists hit me up asking if I knew about these guys in the US who had the same name. When I got the news, it was pretty shocking, and I was on holidays at the time. The artwork had already been submitted with the name and everything.
I've learned that rational thinking is the way to go, so I made the small change to Galeria Skateboards, which means "gallery" in Spanish. I'm from Chile, South America, so it all made sense.
Early days graphic run.
Photo: Tabone
How long have you been skating? What were some brands you loved when you were younger? Or brands that have had the biggest impact on you personally?
I started skating at a really young age. I was about seven when I got my first proper setup from Newcastle Skate Shop.
In primary school, no one really skated, and I was the only one bringing my skateboard to school. I went to Newcastle East Public School, which sits on top of one of the biggest hills in Newcastle. I used to bomb that hill coffin-style. I wore through my shoes like crazy.
When I hit high school, there were so many more kids skating, which was great. We'd always head into the CBD. One of my favourite memories was skating Old Civic, where the 3, 4, 5, and 6 stair sets are. We still go there to this day. It still smells like bin juice, and it still gets covered in bird shit.
After finishing high school, I got back into skating a little more seriously. Wallsend skatepark was where it was at. I remember meeting Levi Moore there. When he pulled up, everyone stopped to watch him skate. To this day, he was one of the best skaters in Newcastle at that time. Anyone would agree.
Growing up and watching Baker 3 had a huge influence on me. I was also really into Globe shoes.
Describe how the Newcastle skate scene has influenced the brand’s identity.
Galeria was born in Newcastle, and it took a lot of thinking and planning. I knew there were other brands around, but I wanted to offer something different. "We are not for everyone, we are for the others" is an ideology we follow.
We spoke to Adam Tabone at Laate skate shop at the time, and he was happy to stock us. We actually sold quite a few boards through his shop.
Seb on the tools. South Newy.
Photo: Flanagan
Are there local skaters, artists, or photographers helping shape the project? Who are they?
Yeah, of course. I've been filming a lot with Sam Mitchell lately. He has just come back from an MCL tear and has been putting in a lot of effort. I supply Sam with boards, apparel, and Vans shoes.
One photographer who has worked with us is Jim Turvey (Sprawlers). He snapped a photo of Sam doing a crooked grind at the Wallsend footy fields. You can catch it in one of the Slam magazines. It's such a gnarly photo, Sam has blood trickling down his hand mid-shot.
“…I made the small name change to Galeria Skateboards, which means "gallery" in Spanish. I'm from Chile, South America, so it all made sense…”
Will McDonald bought a camera one day and said he was keen to do some product photography. He took some amazing shots that I ended up using for marketing. After I received the photos, he offered to sell me the camera because he wanted to buy an extreme fisheye lens for his camcorder. I hope that kid gets one.
Tahnee and Harry have also been working closely with me as we prepare our next Galeria drop. Tahnee creates some really cool illustrations, and Harry Kett is an absolute wizard when it comes to animation.
Photo: McDonald
Are you more interested in building a company, a creative outlet, or a community? Or all of the above?
The creative outlet side is great because I like giving the artists I work with as much exposure as possible.
The community aspect is definitely one of the most rewarding parts, though. It's crazy how many people back what we do. I’m so stoked and grateful.
Sam Mitchell in the purple sky. Civic Plaza.
Photo: Quevedo
What’s harder than people realise about starting a skate brand?
Finance. You need to have some money together to order your first batch of boards. I worked my ass off to fund that first run. I think a lot of people have good ideas but don't know how to actually make them happen.
In your opinion, has social media made it easier or more difficult for new brands to feel authentic? What's the brand’s approach to this way of marketing?
Both. I've had posts that Instagram has removed before. We actually don't post too much on Instagram. We focus more on stories, which people can view for 24 hours.
That said, social media platforms are great for spreading brand awareness, and it's free.
Where do you hope the brand is in five years?
Five years is a long way away, but Galeria will still be breathing and living its life.
Shout-outs?
I've worked with around 40–50 people since starting Galeria, but these are the people who come to mind right now. These are people I want to shout out and who I really admire:
Adam Tabone, Jim Turvey (Sprawlers), Tahnee (Hard Currency), Harry Kett, Sam Mitchell, Will McDonald,
John Ossedryver, Shan (Terrible Happy), my family, and my friends.
Watch:
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