enjoi

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Enjoi Skateboards, founded in 2000 by Marc Johnson and Rodney Mullen, quickly gained recognition for its unique, humor-infused designs and its iconic panda logo. Johnson and Mullen, both former members of the A-Team, created the company after leaving the ill-fated team due to its lack of direction. The brand's early years were marked by the recruitment of skateboarding friends like Jerry Hsu, Louie Barletta, and Dave Mayhew, establishing a strong, camaraderie-driven team. Enjoi's first major success came with the release of Bag of Suck in 2006, which won Transworld's "Skate Video of the Year" award and showcased the talent of riders like Hsu and Barletta. As the brand grew, tensions arose, particularly with Johnson, who departed in 2007 due to frustrations with managing the brand. His departure left a void, and although Hsu considered leaving as well, he stayed on with the support of others, including Matt Eversole, who took over as brand manager. The 2012 video Tweak the Beef was a notable release, incorporating new riders and cementing the company's reputation for creative and fun skate videos. Enjoi saw further evolution in the following years, with the addition of professional skateboarders like Ben Raemers and the release of Oververt in 2014, a project that spotlighted emerging talent like Zack Wallin. However, in 2019, the company faced challenges when it was sold to Highline Industries, and by 2022, Barletta, the last of the original crew, left the brand due to dissatisfaction with the company’s financial troubles. Barletta’s departure, along with other riders quitting, highlighted poor management and unpaid team members. Despite early success, Enjoi now feels forgotten, a once-loved brand lost in corporate hands.
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