Spent the day working off and on today, doing the little tasks I hadn’t had time to do through the week and trying to get on with a bit more uni work. The throat is getting alot better and I should be moving back to Reading soon though I’m going to have to (try) and take it easy for at least another couple of weeks.

Today I watched the Digg Dialogg with Tony Hawk below.

Watching this made me think about the stereotypical view of business and business people and how wrong it’s becoming. His successes also demonstrate my theories that you can develop successful businesses based on your passion.

Hawk has marketed products under his own brand including events, clothing and his line of computer games that have sold millions of copies. His newest game Ride features a peripheral board to make game-play more like real skateboarding, the idea was all Hawks and he has been very involved with the development, this is more than a games company putting his name to their product.

But thats not his only enterprises, he also owns Birdhouse, a company that designs skateboard decks, wheels and clothing. The company also has a skate team which Hawk is a part of.

One of his latest business developments is Shred or Die a youtube like website for the extreme sports community including skate, snow, surf, bmx and moto. Seems Hawks business ideas are cutting edge.

Admittedly Tony Hawk does have the advantage of being nine times X games winner but I think this shows it is possible to turn what you love into a viable business. If Tony Hawk can why can’t you!