Meet Jerry Goodson of OFCS in Northwest Houston

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jerry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I made my own skateboards back when I was a kid in the ’70s. I’ve owned several professionally made boards but always rode a board based on the Pro who had their name on it.

I started with the idea of making Custom Skateboards nine years ago. I wasn’t sure if the idea would be accepted by the serious skater. Also, realizing that to be a Custom deck maker that I would have to earn respect. The only way that would happen would be if I could handcraft a board that’s as good or better than what is made in mass production. Also, it had to truly fit the skater better than a mass production model.

It has truly been a great experience. fulfilling my passion for skateboarding beyond my wildest dreams. If it wasn’t for my passion, it would have been over a long time of ago due to the cost and time involved. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has had its ups and downs but my passion has kept my head held high.

A friend of mine once told me just to keep looking forward and don’t be concerned with the negativity that is going on around you.

Believe me, there has been a bunch of negativity at times… i.e. “what makes him think he can make a deck…” He was never a Pro”….” He isn’t a real business. He’s just a DIY. I can do what he does” etc… etc…

Although there’s nothing in skateboarding that hasn’t already been done as far as shapes, wheelbases… etc.  Riding something that fits your feet versus a choice of something off the shelf.

Like anything else, custom fit is so much more personal.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the OFCS story. Tell us more about the business.
OFCS is Custom Skateboard company that presses the veneers required to mold and shape a custom deck.
I feel I take a huge amount of pride in each deck that I make as if it’s my own. No, I’m not a Pro or have I ever been, but I do know what dimensions it takes to make something that fits a skater. What fits me doesn’t necessarily always fit the next guy. That’s the whole point of what I do.

I’ve taken College Art and Photography. I have a passion for both of them as well as music.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the Skating industry is just getting started. I feel there will be a desire for a custom deck for a long time.