Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad “Ha” Harrell.
Hi Chad, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m 38 years old and I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Mo.
I’ve been roller skating on and off since I was 6 years old and it has helped shape me into the man I am today.
I am a self-taught professional Videographer, producer, editor, and director.
It wasn’t until August of 2017 that I came up with the idea for SkateLyfe TV, a friend filmed me roller skating at our local rink back home “Skate King” and I decided to upload it to my personal Facebook page. Within 24 hours it took off and went “at the time” what I would call viral.
To myself, I thought if this many people like to watch me roller skate wait until they see some of the people at my rink who do amazing things! At the time I was working at a job I really disliked and was out on a 30-day stress leave so every day I started going to the rink and filming people with my cell phone until I decided on Oct 2nd, 2017 that I wanted to officially quit my job and pursue this new passion that I found.
I walked out of my job that day to pursue my dream and on Oct 12, 2017, I officially registered SkateLyfe as a business. Starting out wasn’t easy, back in 2017 skating rinks weren’t open or even receptive to the idea of people filming during regular skate sessions. Some wouldn’t even allow you to film on a cell phone, let alone a camera. So there were a ton of barriers to break with regard to that. I got a ton of no’s starting out but as I stayed consistent and my followers started to grow eventually, rink owners started to see their numbers consistently going up inside of their rinks.
Fast forward to today, 5+ years later and SkateLyfe TV has grown a following of more than 1.5 million people across all of our Social Media Platforms (FB. IG, Youtube, TikTok), over 500+ million video views across all platforms, over 150+ million weekly viewers across all social media outlets, and we have added a staff of 5 people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, I literally had to teach myself how to use a professional video camera and editor. Hours of sleepless nights, Youtube videos, and mistakes were made.
We’ve been impressed with SkateLyfe Co, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in Roller Skating Entertainment, Event Coordination, Promotion, online skating lessons. What sets up apart is our high-quality content. You’ve never really watched a roller skating video until you have watched one of ours.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I risked my well-being for my dream. I quit my job, gave up my place and moved in with my mom to reduce bills and started my business from her basement. I was broke for the first 2 1/2 years until I finally monetized my Facebook and Youtube accounts.
Contact Info:
- Website: skatelyfetv.com
- Instagram: skatelyfe_tv
- Facebook: Facebook.com/skatelyfeco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyI0RbcrE2DXuK7gvhnFQg
