Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Preston.
Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Always had a passion for recording videos and documenting whatever I could point a camera at. Was highly influenced by early skate video magazines 411 and other professional videos by skate companies. Developed a passion for documenting myself and others skateboarding. For fun just to reflect back on. After 4 years in the USAF I borrowed a friends camera and another friends computer and produced a video call One Motion. Showed this video to a friend of mine Ben Hazard at Vertical Urge Skateshop. ( no longer in business ). He simply said to me ” This is good, you could sale this”. I decided to make another video, and another, as to date I have 13 full length videos released since 2001. Decided to name the videos One Motion skateboarding video magazine. Eventually decided that video magazine was to restrictive and started One Motion Productions. Begin pressing shirts, hoodies, and eventually skateboarding decks. Most popular models were the city series where I flew my drone over landmarks and made into graphics. ( Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Asheville, Charlotte ). Now One Motion is a well know brand among skaters throughout NC, Virginia and some parts of SE Texas where I’m from. Biggest video premier to date was Act’n Badd in 2014 Tir Na Nog Irish pub.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never smooth. We took a different approach in regards to editing style, music selection, and overall vide of videos. I was not interested in the best skateboarders and skateboarding tricks. I was more interested in motivating the local kids of all skate levels and skill sets by featuring them in a local video and pressing them. From VHS, to DVD, to simply uploading on internet. I was kicked off Endless grind after about 12 years for trying to encourage a reduction of negative communication and vibes between two local skate shops Endless grind and Vertical urge. After that door closed is when I started pressing my own decks and sponsoring my close friends and the company was at its apex.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have worked in Mental Health at the non-profit agency Easter Seals for 18 years now.
The job did not pay well, but gave me the flexibility to be successful and sharing custody of my son Pharoah, and sleep well at night knowing that I was helping individuals with mental health disabilities in our local community.
I have learned a lot about patience and accepting all people for who that are regardless of their perceived status in the community. Compassion for others would be the best way to explain. People are people, everyone is different, and some people just need help. I’m successful at my job because I focus on the relationship with the person first, rather that just getting the job requirements fulfilled.
I have learned more from the people that I serve than I have ever taught any of them in return.
Nobody is perfect, but everyone is someone and needs someone to just talk to and listen to them. I seek the positive in all individuals regardless of their past or current situations
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Im very emotional and compassionate. I’m a deep thinker and not as tough as I appear to others. I cry cause I miss my family in Texas and when I see people struggle over circumstances that they just can’t control. I’m a fierce fighter physically and emotionally, but I feel for others and share their pain. ( I only showed the fighter side of me, but behind closed doors I cry because my heart hurts for others that are not as fortunate.
Pricing:
- few boards left due to recent price hikes, but usually 40-50 for a board
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @One_Motion_Skateboarding @Texuskidd
- Facebook: One Motion Skateboarding
- Youtube: jcpreston23 (YouTube)
