Rolling Together: How My Son’s Dream Became Our Mission

By Lauren, Co-Founder of Skate with Heart

When your child finds their passion, it’s a beautiful thing. But when that passion becomes a mission—to give back, to build something, to help others—it’s something else entirely. It becomes a purpose.

That’s what happened with my son, Tristan.

He didn’t just fall in love with skateboarding—he dove in headfirst. He skated until the sun went down, researched gear, designed decks, and eventually launched his own company, Atticus Skateboards—all before turning 14. And while I was proud (and a little exhausted), I wasn’t surprised. That’s just who Tristan is.

But then came something bigger.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Tristan came to me and said, “Mom, I want to start a nonprofit. I want to give people the same outlet that skating gave me.”

I’ll be honest—I was intimidated.

As a single mom, things haven’t always been easy. Between balancing work, bills, and making sure both of my boys feel seen and supported, there are plenty of days I feel stretched thin. I’ve had to make tough calls, hold it together when I wanted to fall apart, and find strength I didn’t know I had. But when your child looks at you with big dreams and an even bigger heart—you find a way.

That’s how Skate with Heart was born.

We built it together, late at night, at the kitchen table. Tristan brought the ideas, the drive, the leadership. I brought the logistics, the structure, and a whole lot of love. And right there with us was Tristan’s little brother, Jaxon, cheering us on and reminding us to smile when things got overwhelming.

There have been hurdles. Paperwork. Fundraising. People doubting what a 14-year-old (and his mom) could really pull off. But there’s also been joy. Laughter. Kids riding their first boards with huge grins on their faces. Volunteers stepping in to help. Parents crying because someone saw their child. But most importantly the smile it brings to my kid’s face to feel supported and loved.

Watching Tristan lead with such heart has changed the way I see everything. He's not just building a brand or a charity—he’s building a community. And as his mom, I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside him as his biggest supporter, his business partner, and his teammate.

We don’t have it all figured out. But we do have love, grit, and a shared belief that skateboarding can change lives. Tristan gave us a mission.

Thanks for rolling with us.
— Lauren