Guiseppe DeMasi/Arizona Daily Wildcat Media arts senior and co-owner of Jade Sport Shop Andrew Jorgensen works on a skateboard deck for a customer. The sports shop handles custom and commercial board work for both students and locals alike.

Senior gets stake, managerial job at Jade Boardshop

A UA student will be living the half-pipe dream since he has been named manager and partial owner of a local skateboard shop.

Andrew Jorgensen, a media arts senior, received part ownership of Jade Boardshop, 747 N. Park Ave., early last month after storeowner Kevin Newman promoted him from general employee status.

Newman said he put 10 percent of the store in Jorgensen's name because he is trustworthy and takes a vested interest in the success of the store.

"I believe in giving ownership to people because it gives them more incentive to succeed when they have a hand in the stakes," Newman said.

Since taking on part ownership, Jorgensen has been given additional responsibilities like selecting merchandise, accounts payable and advertising, which has given him more of an interest in the store's success because the outcome now personally affects him, Jorgensen said.

"I didn't really care as much before, but now I have a personal interest since part of it is mine," said Jorgensen, who wakeboards, surfs, snowboards and skateboards.

Jorgensen said he wants to keep the shop how Newman, a competitive snowboarder and surfer, had intended when he first opened the store in 1989: rider-owned and operated.

"I've learned a lot about working for myself, which is what I want to do forever." - Andrew Jorgenson, media arts senior

Hiring riders to work in the shop is the best way to deliver the best product because riders know the equipment they are using and selling, as "opposed to a corporate shop in the mall," Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen said he also wants to hire students because it "adds to the atmosphere of the store" being in such close proximity to the UA campus.

After he graduates next year, Jorgensen plans to continue networking with people he has met as well as take what he learned at Jade and apply it to his future businesses.

"I've learned a lot about working for myself, which is what I want to do forever," Jorgensen said. "With this position comes authority and responsibility, people turn to me for answers."

Lau Civetta, a new employee and Jorgensen's roommate, said they have learned to have a business relationship when necessary and they can be friends when they are away from the shop.

"We have to have a good business ethic when we are working. We just have to be mature adults and there shouldn't be problems," Civetta said.

Jorgensen wouldn't discuss how much money he makes from his new position, but did say all of the money he makes from Jade Boardshop would be reinvested in a similar business.