If you’ve ever stopped by Grain, you’ve probably felt it—that quirky, laid-back energy that comes from a bunch of people doing what they love in a place that maybe doesn’t make perfect sense on a map but totally does in the soul.
Being a small business—especially one hand-building wooden surfboards in this little tucked-away spot—doesn’t feel like a job to us. It’s just who we are. It’s our rhythm, our pace, and the way we choose to show up every day. In a niche world like ours, in a place that’s as beautiful as it is unexpected, every board, every class, every hoodie we send out really has a piece of us in it.
And our team? It’s not a big one. It’s not supposed to be.
It’s Mike, our founder, who still lights up like a kid talking about our construction methods and latest innovations.
It’s Nolan, our lead board designer, who can disappear into CAD files (or into the ocean) for hours—fine-tuning curves and dialing in details most people would never even notice—so that every board feels just right when it hits the water.
It’s Theo, our workshop manager, who keeps the place humming with sawdust in his hair, a tool in each hand, and a laugh that carries across the shop.
It’s Nick, who’s been behind the lens for over 20 years, documenting Grain’s growth and capturing the moments, messes, and magic that make this place what it is.
It’s Allie, our marketing manager, who works magic behind the scenes so the world can feel connected to what we build—even if they’re thousands of miles from the nearest wave.
It’s Brian, our mill shop manager, the guardian of rough-sawn lumber and the guy who knows every board’s journey long before it ever looks like a surfboard.
It’s Kelsey, our bookkeeper, who keeps this entire ship afloat, making sure the numbers allow the dreams to keep happening.
And then there’s Ikaika, our newest addition, bringing fresh energy to marketing and logistics, bridging the story, the community, and the stoke.
This is who you’re supporting when you buy something from us—people, not departments.
Every Sale Really Does Mean the World to Us
We know every small business says some version of this, but we’re not saying it because it sounds nice. We’re saying it because it’s true. When someone places an order—whether it’s a board, a kit, or a shirt—we all feel it.
Every purchase helps support the people who make this place what it is—it helps us pay our crew, take care of our families, keep the lights on, and keep this wild little dream alive. Our next generation of Grain kids ranges from 19 years old to just a few months old… with yet another one on the way. So when you choose to support a small shop like ours, you’re not just buying something—you’re choosing the kind of world you want to live in, one where people matter and things have meaning.
A Niche Craft in an Unlikely Corner of the World
There’s something about being tucked away from the spotlight that actually makes it easier to get creative. There’s no noise, no comparison—just time and space to do our thing. The seasons shape what we do, and the workshop turns into a cozy refuge in the winter and an open, breezy hangout in the summer. We’re building boards in a place that reminds us every day that the environment outside our windows isn’t just scenery—it’s the whole point.
We’re not surrounded by a big surf industry or waves of foot traffic. Instead, it’s quiet windy roads, distant islands, and tidal marshes. It means we have to work a little harder and care a little deeper, but it also keeps us rooted in what matters.
Our Community Makes Us Who We Are
Grain wouldn’t exist without the people who cheer us on, purchase our products, attend our classes, and simply come by to hang out and enjoy each other’s company. You’re not just customers—you’re friends, collaborators, storytellers—you’re a part of Grain’s story.
We’re reminded every day that small doesn’t mean limited. Small means we know your name. It means you get to meet the person who milled the planks for your board. It means we can answer your email with a real voice. Small means every project, every box we pack, every board—matters.
Thank You for Letting Us Be Who We Are
So thank you for believing in handmade things, and for choosing slow craft in a fast world. Thank you for letting a small team in a niche industry, in an unconventional place, keep doing what we love.
From Mike, Nolan, Theo, Nick, Allie, Brian, Kelsey, and Ikaika—
we appreciate you more than you know.