Donald Cassel This is Me

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1. 1. Grind King - Meet Donald

   www.grindking.com/catalog/comp - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/21/2008   Last Visited: 6/21/2008

   Donald Cassel
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   Donald Cassel is not your typical business owner.In fact, for the most part his entire company is in the hands of key employees managing its direction while taking input from all the employees.While this can be seen as very risky if steered down the wrong avenue, he has found success for merely 20 years operating with this philosophy.At the same time, he's seen share of failures as most have but for the most part has been able to weather the hard times where others gave up.One thing has always been clear, Donald doesn't follow rules or play status quo with the industry.He has been committed to continuously being innovative, going as far as hand sculpting each new truck design with the input of the pro skaters he sponsors.He's the old fashion kind whose blueprints are hand drawn with every pencil stroke reflecting his architectural background.What's really interesting is that you'll never hear him brag about being the owner, President or CEO of numerous successful brands as most who are ego-driven.Rather, what one experiences when in the presence of Donald is that of a passionate, humble human being who simply does his thing.Often, his designs and hard work are knocked off or copied.While some would say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, it is unsettling to Donald.Yet, he accepts it with the good faith that others will always know that Grind King is an innovative company and are always first-to-the-market.When not discussing business, you will find Donald go off on tangents about philosophy or whatever new idea he has for that day.He loves to party and have a good time with friends.It seems like no matter where you go someone is saying hello or giving him a hug.On the contrary, he finds solace as an introvert nestled at his home in the Pacific Palisades, a humble reward to years of hard work and determination.
   
   graphic elementQuotes ...What is Donald like?
   
   Donald is awesome!He throws great parties, is a talented musician and takes care of the locals as well as many up and coming young skaters.He is a real down to earth skater/surfer/musician/artist and he is very much appreciated in Venice and by our organization and our team riders.
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   Donald is a very kind, creative non-conforming artist that does not like to follow rules.He would rather break the mold than to be part of a system that everyone does the same thing.He pushes the envelope into a third dimension.He likes music, playing guitar, enjoying life and friends.He is fun and frustrating to work for at the same time.
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   Donald is an innovator- always looking to improve his product for the kids that skate it.
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   Donald is one of those guys that I think everyone wants to emulate - an entrepreneur who succeeds doing things on their own never having to kiss anyone's ass, all the while never compromising their integrity or values.More importantly, he's a great friend who would probably give you the shirt off of his back.
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   Donald is a breath of fresh air that flows like the river but as solid as a rock. - Haipha Simon, Malakye.com
   
   graphic elementDonald is an amazing person!The fact that he still hand-shapes his own truck molds is just one aspect of what makes him great.
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   Donald is Tommy's Dad, and I like Tommy because he eats smoke bombs.
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   Donald is a really cool person.He is extremely nice and generous and he rocks at playing the guitar!!!!!!
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   Donald is a thinker, right when an idea becomes a reality he is working on making something better.Very passionate about what he does and loves the kids he does things for.
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   Donald is a really kind and considerate person.No matter how busy he is at work, he always takes the time to stop and chat for awhile.It's obvious that he genuinely cares about each of the kids.I definitely have a deep respect for him as a business man. Grind King Trucks are well made and well designed.They have great graphics that appeal to a large demographic of skaters.He's built an awesome enterprise.
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   Huge thanks to Donald for supporting millions of Groms with his creation of the first Micro decks.He has given us little guys boards that fit our size and allow us to rip!!!I owe so much of my skating ability to Donald and Grind King!!
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   Donald is a King on wheels.You couldn't Grind out a better guy.This industry would be at a real loss without Donald and GrindKing.We all love skating through life with him.
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   Donald Cassel, Founder & Owner - Dark Horse Distribution Donald Cassel's entry into the skate market as a business began with the development of a new kingpin to improve grinding.That progressed to designing the whole truck and today he still hand-shapes each truck mold for Grind King trucks.It's a slow, detailed process in which he takes an idea for a new truck design and hand carves it to a perfect, symmetrical, production-ready mold.
   
   Donald also founded Termite Skateboards, the first boards that are proportionately correct for small kids (3-12 years old) - correct concave, six ply to make them lighter.If you've seen a 7 year old on a normal size skateboard trying to ollie you also understand it's value and place in the skateboard market.
   
   Over the years he also was behind several brands that were iconic in their times.Donald has brought an innovative, inventive approach to the skate industry and the products his companies produce.
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   Donald Cassel at workDoes Termite sponsor skateboarders?
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   Donald Cassel at work
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   Donald Cassel
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   Another great article on Donald can be found at: www.4wdandsportutility.com

2. 2. www.skateboard-revolution.com

   www.skateboard-revolution.com/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/28/2007   Last Visited: 7/29/2007

   We are focused on branding Termite in a way that defines it as a category for little kids as say Kleenex for tissue paper," said Donald Cassel, Dark Horse Distribution President and CEO.
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   Donald Cassel has been the CEO/owner of Dark Horse Distribution Inc. for nearly 20 years with other brands including Grind King, Dogtown, Kreper, Von Dutch Originals, Hazmat and Grind Queen to name a few.

3. 3. Grind King - Arts & Events

   www.grindking.com/catalog/team - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/18/2007   Last Visited: 6/21/2008

   "Let us celebrate environmentalism with art, music, fashion and expression," said Donald Cassel, owner of Darkhorse Distribution/Grind King and licensee of Dogtown Skateboards.