PARKCITYLIFE / High Profile
LIVING OUT LOUD
PARK CITY-BASED SKULLCANDY, famous for its headphones and audio equipment for action sports enthusiasts, is serious about living life at full volume. From stunts featuring extreme athletes (motorbike rider Robbie Madison recently sped down the Nordic jump at the Utah Olympic Park to instant viral superdom) to media campaigns featuring NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving, this company is working hard to capture a diverse and fickle consumer in an extremely competitive market. No one represents Skullcandy’s “life at full volume” credo better than CEO Hoby Darling, who starts each day at 4:45 a.m. with a trail run, CrossFit or a workout. He lives the company’s “art-meets-life” ideology and pushes his staff to similarly seize the day. This year, Darling encouraged Skullcandy’s employees to pick a goal that pushed their limits. Then he posted inspirational magnets in each person’s work area, creating an environment that became a bucket-list incubator. Team members’ goals ranged from recording music to completing triathalons or multi-stage hikes around the United States. Unsurprisingly, Darling chose to participate in a simulated Navy SEAL Hell Week. “My parents were in the military and I spent a bit of time at the Pentagon,” Darling explains. “I’d always wondered whether I could get through the training and I wanted to give a bit of a salute to all those who have served our country, including my parents.“ That particular blend of introspection, positive thinking and drive has served Darling well. After playing football and rugby at a small school outside Seattle, he dropped out to engage in some soul-searching in Mexico. “It was a defining time for me. It clarified what I wanted and valued, versus just being on the normal path and doing what other people expected.” After his stint in Mexico, Darling earned degrees at Northwestern University, UC Berkeley and Columbia University. He practiced law at a global firm until he decided to abandon that career and pursue his passions, working with action sports start-up Volcom and later with Nike-owned brands Converse, Hurley, Cole Haan, and Umbro before becoming the General Manager for Nike+Sport. When the Chairman of the Board at Skullcandy called
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Darling to come on board, it was an easy fit. “Park City was a huge reason I came to Skullcandy around two-and-a-half years ago,” Darling said. “I’d been here a few times riding during the winter and just loved it. I don’t think there is anywhere in the world like Park City when you combine our proximity to world-class outdoors and the mountains, three insane resorts, Sundance and all the world class athletes that come here to train. As a company, we were born right up in the mountains of Park City. That’s still where we get a lot of our inspiration—we get to test product in the small clubs, mountains, trails and skate park with some of the best athletes and up-coming artists around. Park City and the Salt Lake area are perfect for us.” Darling’s enthusiasm extends to Skullcandy’s customer base—hard-charging adrenaline junkies who provide valuable feedback. “My favorite Skullcandy customers are those who really live life at full volume and go hard doing rad and new stuff—people who are up on the mountains and trails going hard in our stuff, and having more fun doing what they love listening to music.” Uproar Wireless – These afforable headphones deliver on lightweight design, great audio and Bluetooth® functionality. They also feature long-lasting battery life, and convenient on-ear controls for taking calls or managing tunes. $49.99
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKULLCANDY
SKULLCANDY CEO HOBY DARLING / BY VANESSA CONABEE