The Owner Operator Report: Repair Culture

Eric here, owner and operator of Jarvis Boards—checking in from the workshop floor here in Chicago, where spring has arrived and the lake is starting to call. This is the Owner Operator Report Newsletter—my once-a-month check-in where I share what we're building, what's breaking, and what's been on my mind lately.

Shop Talk

A quick rundown of what’s happening behind the scenes.

We added some new accessories to the site from trusted brands like YakAttack and XM | Surf More - gear we use ourselves and now offer to help you dial in your setups and rigs.
Big news: Boats are officially back in the Chicago harbors (photos), which means paddle season on Lake Michigan has begun. Warmer days are ahead.
On the bench this week: Building a custom-branded Teak + Ivory Cream Statesider for the Lakeshore Resort in Saugatuck, Michigan. It's an honor be making a custom for this family-owned gem on the cliffs of western Michigan.

This Month’s Reflection

On repair culture, sustainability, and building things that last.

This past Friday, I got to attend an incredible community event hosted by Patagonia, at their Fulton Market retail location which is just a few blocks west of our shop. They sent their wetsuit repair crew from their Ventura, CA "Wetsuit Forge" to do free wetsuit repairs on any brand of wetsuits to serve the Great Lakes surfing community. The vibe was strong - passionate people, shared values, and real conversations about keeping gear in use.

I've always admired Yvon Chouinard's (Founder of Patagonia) approach to business, life, and product. Build things to last, fix them when they break, and avoid unnecessary waste. It's a philosophy we believe in too.

At this event, I had a light bulb moment. At least four different people I met at during the happy hour asked if we do ding repair on boards, a service and skill that is not super common in this region. Here I was admiring the commitment to longer lasting gear from one of my favorite brands, while being asked by my community to help them with. So, we are officially offering ding repair services from our Chicago shop.

Whether it's one of our boards or someone else's, we've got the materials, the workspace, and the expertise to help keep boards on the water longer. After all, making boards last the test of time is our mission. If your board (or kayak/canoe/surf ski etc) has a crack, ding, or damage beyond your abilities, let us know and we'll take a look, so you can get back to surfing, paddling, and exploring. Repair is core part of sustainability.

Stuff Worth Sharing

A few things I think you’ll dig.

On the Water: A photo of my friend Robert out at Diversey Harbor during a recent shoot. Spring paddling in Chicago doesn't get enough credit.
Off the Clock: I revisited Let My People Go Surfing - The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard in anticipation of the local Patagonia event. If you want our playbook for how we're growing Jarvis, this would be the book to consume. Maybe someday we'll write our own.
Maker’s Pick: Maker Pipe connectors. We use 1" EMT conduit all over the shop - for sliding fiberglass roll racks, board racks, shaping stands. They're strong, modular, and have that more industrial & clean look compared to wood dowels or 2x4's.

(No, we don't receive affiliate commissions or have brand deals with any of the above)

Until Next Time

Thanks for being following along.

You can always reply to this email—it comes straight to me. Whether you’ve got questions, ideas, or just want to say hey, I read every message.

Here’s to the next build, the next paddle, and doing work that matters.

— Eric

Owner & Operator

Jarvis Boards

P.S. We're posting a lot more content on Instagram nowadays. Follow us for more behind-the-scenes videos of custom builds and business growth updates.