Meet Steven Battaglia of Hawthorne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Battaglia.

Hi Steven, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Hawthorne, California — aka the Dirty. From 19 to 25, I was homeless in LA, bouncing between the streets and couches, just trying to stay afloat. What really kept me grounded during those years was skateboarding and photography — two passions I’ve had as long as I can remember. I always say, “If you’re not that good at skating, you become the filmer,” so I decided to get really good at that part.

I worked all kinds of jobs in the food industry — bussing, serving, bartending — honestly, anywhere that gave me a meal and a paycheck so I could save. Now I’m bartending at LAX, and I use my tips to fund my brand, materials, and promotions. That grind taught me a lot. I’ve faced a ton of challenges, including ongoing battles with depression, but the struggle gave me purpose. It made me hungry to build something real.

Skateboarding with the homies and seeing people I grew up with go pro kept me inspired. I may not be the best skater, especially at 35, but I still get clips and contribute in my own way. That’s how Cosmic Butter was born — a way to support the skate scene with something original and self-funded.

The love and recognition I’ve gotten for building this from scratch means everything. In today’s world, it’s hard to carve out something authentic, but I’m grateful I’ve found my lane. Right now, I’m supplying shops like Brooklyn Projects Westchester, the Sk8BrdBus in the Valley, and I’ve got independent brands repping in places like Arizona and Florida. Big shoutout to Theo Marquez down in Florida for holding it down for the kids and the community.

I’m just getting started — the sky’s the limit.

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?
“Has it been a smooth road?”

Not at all. A lot of it’s been internal — battling self-doubt and getting distracted by social media instead of focusing on spreading love in the community. There’ve been plenty of times I wanted to quit, but the homies kept me going. Big shoutout to KEEF aka The Grip God for always bringing that energy, and everyone back home who’s supported by copping wax, a shirt, or reposting my clips — that keeps me grounded.

The pressure’s been nonstop, but like they say, diamonds are built under pressure. It’s made me mentally tougher and more confident in my brand. And I’ll always remember what Mitch Busk told me early on: stay consistent. That advice changed everything.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Day to day, I bartend at LAX to keep a steady income, but once I clock out, I’m skating and filming — either stacking clips for myself or my bro Adano Cancino aka the Yardbutler. And of course, Cosmic Butter is always in motion — whether it’s production, promotion, or prepping for my next community event.

I specialize in filming — I truly believe I have what it takes to shoot at a pro level, and I’m always looking for ways to get my foot in the door. I’ve done two skate community events so far and have a third one lined up for this year.

Lately, people recognize me more for my filming — but I’ve been getting hit with, “Yo, you the Cosmic Butter guy?” and I can’t lie, that feels good. That brand is my proudest creation — not even a year deep, and the momentum is real.

What sets me apart is I keep everything in-house. I make the wax myself using my own recipe, package it through local vendors, and handle all the shipping, drops, and shop deliveries personally. I don’t outsource — I build. I push it heavy through Instagram, and everything you see is 100% self-made and community-rooted.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’d say consistency, creativity, confidence in my work, and just straight-up hustle. I stay on it every day, and honestly, the results speak for themselves — five months into building Cosmic Butter, and now I’m being interviewed by Voyage LA.

Those traits have given me the confidence to reach out to pros and ams in the skate scene, and the response has been all love. Shoutout to everyone who’s supported me — that energy keeps it all moving.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c0smic_butter?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@s_b_photos?si=1KxoMo2opw1M4J7P
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/s_b_photos?igsh=cWE3ZXF2aThwbnQ2&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Raheem D. Santino
Aaron S. Milton
Brandon Hernandez
Enrique Riveros