Exploring Life & Business with Jakob Hardy of Combat Punk Skateboard Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakob Hardy.

Hi Jakob, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in New York City, and skateboarding wasn’t just about getting from one place to another — it was my first freedom. Coming out of a traumatic childhood, the board was therapy before I even knew what therapy was. Every push gave me space to breathe, to survive, and to discover my grit.

Years later, after serving multiple combat tours and experiencing loss both on and off the battle field, I wanted to turn that survival into something meaningful. Combat Punk started as a way to connect with people fighting their own inner wars, and also as a way to raise money for my former nonprofit, Home Deployment Project, which helped rehabilitate homeless combat veterans back into society. From the beginning, it was never just about business — it was about survival, connection, and resilience.

In 2014 we launched as an incorporated apparel company, but it was always about the art. The art carried the message — raw, gritty, and real. That art is what made Combat Punk grow into the multi-tiered corporation it is now, because people saw their own scars and their own strength reflected in the fabric of the brand.

Now it’s bigger than me. We’ve got people on the ground in places like LA, Portland, Phoenix, and NYC, linking us with skaters who live with that same raw energy and fight in their lives. For me, and through our heavy community involvement, Combat Punk has always become more than a brand — it’s a movement, a community, and at its core, it’s still what skateboarding was for me as a kid: survival, freedom, and a way to keep moving forward.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Covid was one of the hardest times of my life. On one hand, I was just trying to survive like everybody else, but it also gave me the space to have the vision to expand into skateboard culture. That period changed everything for me. At the same time, I lost my father to Covid, and then my mother a year later. Those were devastating blows. I had to lean on every lesson from my life — all the grit I’d built — to push through the kind of grief I’d never experienced before.

And on top of the personal side, the business side had its own struggles. Starting and expanding a brand means fighting through limited resources, managing production costs, building relationships with artists, and trying to stand out in a saturated market. Nothing about it has been easy. But I think that’s what gives Combat Punk its edge — it was born in struggle, and it’s been shaped by it. Every obstacle just reinforced the idea that this brand is about survival, resilience, and fighting your own war.

We’ve been impressed with Combat Punk Skateboard Company, 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?
I am most proud of the impact we’ve had on our community. This brand has never just been about selling boards or shirts — it’s about showing people that they aren’t alone in their struggles. If we can push forward after everything we’ve gone through, then anyone can. That message matters as much as the products.

We started as an apparel company, but from the beginning, it was always about the art. Every piece we create carries meaning — it’s gritty, raw, and honest. When we expanded into skateboard culture, it wasn’t to mass-produce decks. We treat our boards like canvases. They’re premium, collectible art pieces that just happen to be skateboards. That’s what sets us apart: Combat Punk doesn’t chase trends — we create statements.

Beyond the art, we’re building a movement. We sponsor and support local skaters at the street level, including right here in LA. We’ve launched ambassador programs that give kids gear, support, and visibility. We’re not a top-down brand — we grow from the ground up, inside the skate parks and communities where it matters most.

At the end of the day, Combat Punk is about more than skating. It’s about resilience, survival, and loyalty. Every deck, every shirt, every piece of art carries that DNA. It’s a reminder that no matter what battles you’re fighting — you’re not alone.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support Combat Punk by being part of the movement. The simplest way is through our products — every deck, every shirt, every piece of art helps us keep building. But beyond that, we’re always looking to collaborate with skaters, artists, and creators who share our vision.

For skaters, that means connecting with our sponsorship and ambassador programs — we’ve got people on the ground in cities like LA looking for raw talent to bring onto the team. For artists, it means reaching out and finding ways to create together, because Combat Punk has always been art-driven at the core. And for the community, it means showing up: repping the brand, sharing the message, and knowing that when you stand with Combat Punk, you’re standing for resilience and survival.

In short, work with us by skating with us, creating with us, or simply spreading the word. Every collaboration, every connection, helps us grow this movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Combatpunk.com
• Instagram: @combatpunk
• Facebook: Combat Punk

Image Credits
Jakob Steven Hardy, CEO & Founder
Allan del Castillo, COO
Athan Hilaki, CTO
April Holland, Public Relations
Ben Hardy, Director of Video Production