VW - State your name, age and where you born/grow up?
AL - Anthony Leffelaar,born in Christchurch New Zealand now can be found in Vancouver Canada.

VW - when was the 1st time you picked up and skateboard/snowboard?
AL - First time I picked up a skate board was when I was five years old it was called a big foot skateboard the size of big foots foot it was dope! ten years later I picked up my first snowboard and since then never turned back.

VW - How long have you been in the skateboard/snowboard scene?
AL - I have been in the Scene for about ten years now and it sure was the best and most enjoyable decision I made in life. Getting to snowboard around the world and hang with your friends . I could not imagine anything better than that!

VW - When did you have a dream of starting/owning your own business?
AL - That is a hard one I have always been starting projects here and there and had an entrepreneur mind set. It was more of a timing thing juggling a professional snowboard career and starting a company and I felt like this year I was ready to take that step so I could focus my energy 100% on Vivo headwear. Starting this company helps me stay in the industry I love and to continue to enjoy snowboarding.

VW - when you sorted out a group to start your business, did you think it would be this successful so fast?
AL - I guess starting a company especially in this day and age can be very daunting. Sometimes you just know when something needs to take place or be started. I have been in touch with the industry over the years and thought it was a great time to start Vivo in the hard times. I would not say we are successful yet as we are in our start up phase but we have had a huge amount of support from the industry leaders and riders, which in my eye gives me confidant's for a very successful first year.

VW - You named the company "Vivo", can you give some details of how you choose this name and what it stands to you?
Al - Vivo headwear is a stand alone company with a Strong foundation and the people involved are full of energy and life. Vivo is a Spanish word and stands for (I LIVE) I guess that speaks for its self.

VW - when you got the basics of Vivo down and started, who did you have in mind for your team?
AL - When I first set out my business on paper my plan was to approach the industry's top riders that not only can ride but also are practical people with great attitudes and want to be involved with a company owned and operated by snowboarders. The team you can see on our roster is just that!

VW - with riders like Corey Sheppard and Andrew Geeves, what do you expect them to bring to the Vivo table.
AL - Already Corey Sheppard is bringing amazing artist inspired goods to the table. His passion for art is endless and his skating backs it up. Andrew is just stoked and had a very productive year filming. You will see allot more products with Andrew's name on them in the future.

VW - You released the "Bird Flu" tee by Corey Shepperd, unlike other companies you let the riders contribute. Was this a main idea for the company before Corey or did it just flow that way when he joined?

AL - My idea from day one was to say (Hey guys what do you want?) Then we work on the design and do collaborations and then they are stoked on what they are wearing. It’s simple and works best for companies because the riders know what people want and for Vivo that is who we are.

VW - with the release of the "Bird Flu" tee, will you be coming out with more rider inspired tees or hats, or strictly logo stuff?
AL - There will be a variety of rider colabs and items inspired by our design team with many more products in the future.

VW - With season approaching is there any details you can give us, or is it a wait and see type of thing?

AL - Our online store is dropping before winter kicks in and our collection is dropping in selected retailers worldwide. As far as winter goes we will be product testing, release parties-Trade shows you name it...

VW - With the Olympics coming up, do you support the transition from extreme lifestyles like skateboarding and snowboarding to mainstream like the Olympics instead X-games?

AL - I support Snowboarding.....

VW - As for skateboarding in mainstream, what do you think of the rumour about skateboarding being apart of the summer Olympics?

AL - I would watch it for sure... Some kids like the mainstream contest and some kids do not. Either way at the end of the day you are skate boarding and I can sure think of worse things to be doing.

VW - what are your thoughts on helmet laws over Canada, each place is different but either way it brings skateboarding down a few notches?
AL - I think its a great idea especially for young kids. Skating is reaching new limits and it’s always good to have a brain at the end of the day. Helmets are not for everyone but if your smart and crazy you should be wearing one. HAHA

 
VW - Moving on, where do you think Vivo will be with in five or ten years?
AL - We will be expanding into new ideas and a sub company I am sure. A fun office with a skate ramp, great staff. We will be product testing in the local mountains riding knee-deep powder most weeks!

VW - who is apart of your Vivo team, riders and employees?

AL - Sara Lanyon - design, Cam Beedell - Creative director, Vaughn Whynot - Social networking, Andrew Geeves (rider), Marie-France Roy(rider), Tadashi Fuse(rider), Corey Sheppard(rider).

VW - when you picked the riders was style a huge thing, or did you go with whom could contribute more to the company via business/designs?
AL - Style is my number one thing and I was lucky to have riders who have both style and can contribute to the company.

VW - down the road, do you see Vivo coming out with a video and even a board?

AL - I can see us coming out with a video for sure as for boards I do not think so we are focusing on other products.

VW - What is one company you would love to do a Co-lab with?
AL - RVCA

VW - Thanks for your time Anthony, Give it hell!