Last weekend, the Tea team packed their bags (and their Vans) and headed to sunny San Diego to co-host a very special event with Skate Rising. Run by Exposure Skate, Skate Rising is an Encinitas based all-girl youth program dedicated to teaching compassion and empowerment through skateboarding. Calli Kelsay, the brainchild behind this awesome program, happens to be a long-time Tea customer. So we leaped at the opportunity to team up and sponsor one of their events.
Image by Mike Moore
We kicked off the day with an intro from Calli who spoke to this month’s theme: empowering from within. Tea co-founder, Leigh Rawdon, then told her story about how she came to be a business woman. As a young girl with big ambitions and a wave of inspiration to start a balloon helium business, she hopped on her bicycle and rode down to her local City Hall to file for her first ever business license… the budding stages of a what would later lead to a fruitful life of entrepreneurship.
Leigh shared the vision board she put together, showcasing images and words that speak to the goals, ambitions and values she holds for herself today.
Image by Mike Moore
Following Leigh, Olympic skateboarder Amelia Brodka shared her path to becoming a pro skateboarder and ultimately creating her own skate company and documentary. Having never before created a documentary, Amelia said she had no idea where to begin, so she just dove in and asked a lot of questions along the way. She encouraged the girls to similarly leap toward their goals, even if they aren’t sure what steps to take—that if they just lean in, work hard and stay open to trying new things, they really can do whatever they set their minds to!
Image by Mike Moore
A few of the girls had the opportunity to stand up and share their hopes and dreams with the group. From aspiring actresses and pro skaters to helping to bring smiles to children with cancer, these girls were full of drive and inspiring ideas. So it was no surprise when a flock of girls rushed to the picnic tables to craft vision boards of their own.
Image by Mike Moore
The rest of the day was focused on board activities, one of which required helmets and pads, the other a glue stick, scissors and a little imagination. Both equally as empowering.
Image by Mike Moore
From skate park to craft table, it was so much fun to see these girls get out there and challenge themselves in new and creative ways.
Image by Mike Moore
Image by Mike Moore
Image by Mike Moore
Image by Mike Moore
