We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremy Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I actually never had any plans or intentions to start a custom surfboard business. Truth be told, I’m an uncoordinated klutz that can barely even change a light bulb!

Here’s how it all started: I have a buddy that’s my age that I’ve known since high school. We’ve been surfing together for decades. He’s an amazing shaper that also owns his own glassing shop in north county SD.

He was making boards for me that worked really well, and were priced right. Eventually, other buddies wanted to get boards from him as well, so I sent all of them his way. And he hooked all of them up with Bro Deals the same way that he hooked me up.

One day, he and I were surfing a local beachbreak, and he suggested that I start my own surfboard company. I would work with the surfers and help them design their dream custom boards, and then he would handle the shaping and glassing. It blew my mind that this would be possible, but I gave it a shot, and here we are several years later. And I’m always careful to ensure that my buddy @gstylesurfboards always get credit as the shaper and artist that he deserves.

Fun Facts: The brand started off being called “Bro Deal Surf”. But a friend of mine that was CEO of a very large surf company several years back suggested that the name implies a lower quality product, when in fact our boards are as good as ANYTHING else out there. (If not better.) So, then I briefly changed the name to BDS and worked up some rad logos. But, I soon discovered those initials were used by a terrorist organization!! So, I came up with “Bro.”, which I pronounce as “Bro dot”. I thought it was cool, but I’m old. So I also ran it past my (then) 14 year old son and my (then) 14 year old niece…and they both agreed it was cool. So that’s the origin story of Bro Dot Surfboards. 🙂

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Here’s what sets us apart from other options out there:

SURF SHOPS: shops give you instant gratification. You can adoringly fondle the latest offerings from your favorite shaper and/or Asian sweatshop pop out…and if you have a large enough trust fund or a large credit card, you can take that new baby home right then and there.

OTHER SHAPERS: generally, these men and women are artists and entrepreneurs and truly understand the ocean and relate personally to your love of surfing. Respect them. Visit them and breathe in deeply and appreciate the smell of resin and fiberglass.

BRO DOT SURFBOARDS: come to me when you already have a basic idea of the board that you want. Chances are that we can make it here locally for you cheaper (and potentially faster) than you can get it elsewhere. In other words: if you already have “Bro Deal” level connections from a shaper or a shop…then 100% leverage that. For everyone else: we will hook you up.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a north county SD guy…especially coastal north county. But we have friends and family from out of state stay with us all the time while they go out and see the sights.

Their trips always need to include: Disneyland / LegoLand / a walk on the pier and the strand in Oside / shopping and dinner in Carlsbad Village / low tide walk and exploration (be careful and respectful!!) at Swamis / high tide “where’s Waldo” game in Oside with Bruce aka Oceanside Trenchcoat Guy / and if they have passports and are feeling adventurous I recommend the education and perspective and awareness that comes from a visit to Tijuana.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my shaper, Garrett @g_style_surfboards

Shout out to the local surfers that order and re-order from me!! And occasionally even are so STOKED that they refer their friends!! 🤘🤙🙏

Biggest all-time shoutout to my wifey. 26 years of wedded bliss, baby. 4 kids. A daughter in law, and a grandkid on the way. Yew!!!

Instagram: @bro.surfboards and @brodealsurf

Other: Email: brodealsurf@gmail.com

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