Originally published in 2016. Updated July 2025 for context.
Founded by Joel Baker and Gavin Barrett, Scam Skate began in a garage and quickly evolved into a full-fledged longboard and apparel company. With help from the North Forge FabLab, they turned handcrafted prototypes into high-quality products and scaled their operations right in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.
“Push yourself, both mentally and physically,” said Joel Baker, co-founder of Scam Skate, a Winnipeg-based longboard and streetwear company. “The harder you work in the early years, the sooner your company will grow, and the less time you’ll spend on the Ramen Noodle Diet.”
Garage Beginnings and a Growth Mindset
Joel and his co-founder, Gavin Barrett, launched Scam Skate in a garage. Driven by craftsmanship and skate culture, they started by hand-building custom longboards and designing apparel. As demand grew, their tools and space could not keep up.
That’s when Scam Skate turned to the North Forge FabLab.
“The equipment at the FabLab helped us increase our production speed and quality to an industrial level,” Joel said. “Once we outgrew the garage, we just couldn’t meet demand with our conventional tools.”
A Resource for Scaling Product-Based Startups
North Forge provided Scam Skate with more than just tools. It offered flexibility, community, and the kind of access early-stage founders need to move quickly.
“Whether you’re doing a production run or prototyping from scratch, the FabLab has you covered,” said Joel. “The 24/7 access was a game-changer. I could pull crucial all-nighters, and the makers there were always happy to share ideas.”
That support helped Scam Skate scale operations and eventually move into a dedicated space in downtown Winnipeg, where they now manufacture their longboards and branded streetwear in-house.
Building Community, One Board at a Time
The team takes pride in creating quality, locally made products. They were even sponsored by RONA to build a half-pipe inside their shop, offering skateboarders a free indoor space to skate during the winter months.
So why did they choose Winnipeg?
“Facilities like North Forge didn’t exist in Portage la Prairie, where we grew up,” said Joel. “Winnipeg welcomed us, so we want to give back by creating local design and manufacturing jobs.”
Thinking of building something from the ground up?
The North Forge FabLab can help you take your product from concept to production.
