Meet Nick Arbour | Father, Husband, Creative, Engineer, Good Human

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Arbour, founder and creative behind Stock Tank Supply & Co. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Initially, back in 2014 when this thought first came to be, it wasn’t necessarily a thought to start a business, but instead was sparked during a conversation with a friend over a cold one about making some custom jeans.

My friend and I are both engineers, and he had recently started a successful Canadian based golf lifestyle brand. I’d always been a denim head and a creative at heart, so the idea of getting some friends together to make some custom jeans was something I could certainly get down with. Couple that with living in Los Angeles and the access to the garment manufacturing world, it was a no brainer.

So I began to dig, research, learn and connect. The more I dug, the more I enjoyed this idea and my engineering mindset took over and that’s when I really began to focus on detail, on a real vision and on what this really truly could be. With that said, this couldn’t end with just a small run of custom jeans, that’s when the idea of Stock Tank Supply & Co came to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your business, what can you share with our community?
What is Stock Tank Supply? Honestly, this is a creative outlet, one to pour my heart and soul into. One to build and one to shape a real legacy, that we can leave for our two boys to run with when the time comes. It’s a hub of creativity and platform to showcase who we are as humans as well as to help showcase art, in all forms, be that ours or others who love and admire. STS is an ever evolving operation that does and will encompass many mediums and continue to create with them as time will allow.  Currently raw denim and rugged goods are the medium of choice and we proudfully create single run production works right here in Los Angeles. We are also proud and able to have the ability to give back and provide a means to help others in need, as 5% of every sale goes back to this cause.

This is who we are, this is what we are all about, raw, real and rugged. Hope you can jam with that! And if you ever want to come see what we are up to, come by the Rosebowl Flea Market, we are there monthly posted up, doing our thing. You can also find us at some other markets and popups throughout SoCal, check our website or socials to see where we might be at. Or lastly, come join us for our own jam, The Shindig, its our annual creative market / block party. And this year it’s going down, Saturday December 2nd, DTLA.

Some words for the wise. We believe in hard and ethical work. Pay your dues and continue to show up with love and respect. With some time, patience and continuous dedication, if what your building is truly real, it will show and it will take the shape its meant to take. So for all those out there who want to build something, go for it, give your all. A beginning has to start somewhere.

Much love. Much respect.

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?

Wow, that’s always a fun task every time some friends or family come to town. As a local to the West Valley, Topanga Canyon is always a must drive and see. From spending some time in Topanga Town, catching a hike or just the drive itself, it never gets old.

We’d most definitely take a trip to Venice, as its always a site to see, As a kid when I was 5, we took a road trip down to California and even back then, it was more memorable to me than Disneyland. So hitting the boardwalk, chopping it up with local street vendors as well as stroll on the pier, is something I think most peeps would enjoy too.

Another go to for the scenic tour is DTLA. With a stop at Grand Central Market to grub and then moseying through Little Tokyo and the Arts District. This usually follows with some more bites, maybe a brew and plenty to see in between.

My personal favorite spot in the city though, has to be the Comedy Store. Such history there and the nightly lineups are always stacked. You’ll never know who you might high five or catch a head nod with while your’re there. Everyone is always down for a laugh and it never disappoints.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my homeboy Mr. Wood, if it wasn’t for that conversation after a round of sticks, this would never have come to fruition.

Huge shoutout to my love, my Mrs and my support. She’s been there to help keep the reigns in check and continue to approach this from a humble and righteous place.

Lastly, the Mom Dukes, always the number one fan and cheer team. Love you to the moon!

Website: www.stocktanksupply.com

Instagram: @stocktanksupply

Twitter: @stocktanksupply

Facebook: @stocktanksupply

Youtube: @stocktanksupply

Image Credits
My wife and I.