Kendrius Smith and Brandon Smith are learning more than just the carpentry skills involved in making skateboards in the small storage space that Salemtown Board Co. calls home.
The boys work on sanding and assembling the skateboards, but owner Will Anderson is also outfitting them with tools they can use in their futures, such as attention to detail, responsibility and a good work ethic.
Anderson opened the company with his friend, Jacob Henley, in late 2012. Their hope was to use their love of skateboarding to mentor and provide a positive role model for the at-risk youth in their Salemtown neighborhood.
"I don't think there is a better context for those relationships to be cultivated and for mentorship to happen than the context of small business," Anderson said.