Pro skater Neen Williams has always had a unique approach to life and business.
However, despite his success in skateboarding, he’s taken a big step from the board to dive into the world of food and flavors.
Neen co-founded Not a Damn Chance (NADC) Burgers and NADC Spices, a move that’s surprised many of his fans, but when you dig into his story, it makes perfect sense.
Back in the day, Williams was part of the notorious Baker and Deathwish crews, a group of skaters known for their wild, carefree lifestyle.
He didn’t shy away from partying, often getting drunk or high with his fellow skaters.
But a serious injury forced him to reevaluate his life and habits.
It was around this time that Neen’s then-girlfriend, now wife, played a huge role in his transformation.
She helped him through the process of getting sober, and together, they started to shift their focus to something more sustainable - business.
Williams credits his wife for helping him find the direction that would eventually lead to his new ventures.
Despite his skills on the board, his skating career was not always financially stable. Some skaters are lucky to get big sponsorships, but that’s not the case for everyone, according to Williams.
He recalled how he lost his skate shoe sponsor, Supra, which was a significant chunk of his income at the time.
After that, things got tough. He found himself still dealing with injuries and unable to secure a new sponsor, despite calling up several companies.
It was a frustrating period for Williams and it led him to realize that skateboarding wasn’t going to be the steady source of income he needed.
“That’s when I knew I had to find something else,” Neen says. That’s when his business started to take shape.
He teamed up with his wife to brainstorm ideas, and through her connections, they connected with a manufacturer to launch NADC Spices.
The company took off quickly, and with its success, they expanded into the burger business with Not a Damn Chance Burgers.
Now, Williams' focus has shifted from landing tricks on a skateboard to creating delicious burgers and unique spice blends.
His new ventures are thriving, and it’s clear that he has found a passion that’s not only financially rewarding but also gives him a sense of fulfillment beyond the skateboarding world.
While skateboarding is still a big part of who he is, he’s learned the hard way that sometimes you need to adapt and find new paths to ensure long-term success.
His story shows that even skate legends have to get creative to plan for the future. For Williams, that future includes spices, burgers, and a great partnership with his wife.