Brainless Boardriding is that strange logo you might have seen on bumper stickers in the commuter lot, or that random account that keeps getting reposted by your friends on Instagram. You may not immediately recognize the name yet, but chances are, you’re more familiar with Brainless Boardriding than you realize.
Founder and owner Travis Neheman, a fourth-year kinesiology major, doesn’t shy away from action when it needs to be taken. His bold marketing strategies, unique style, innovative product and punk-rock brand are attributes representative not only of his business, but they are also attributes reflected in his personality. Whether it’s T-shirts, sweatshirts or stickers, it stays unique. Neheman is Brainless. Brainless is Neheman.
“I don’t put anything out that I don’t like,” Neheman said. “For me, the most important part of Brainless is putting stuff out that I like.”
He started his business because he was frustrated with spending $25-$30 on T-shirts and wanted to make a more accessible brand for people who wanted to get into skateboarding, he said.
Brainless Boardriding’s accessibility and style have helped it grow steadily since it first launched in 2021. One of the driving factors for this growth is, as even Neheman will admit, himself.
“I think my personality has really gotten me far,” Neheman said. “Just the way I am towards people, they remember me, and I feel like that goes a long way. People would support me because they knew who I was, as a friend and as a person.”
Behind all of the exciting photoshoots and product launches is a lot of hard work.
Grayson Miller, Neheman’s roommate and a fourth-year biology major, said, “He works hard in making sure that he keeps his brand true to himself.”
As much as there is excitement and the hope of opportunity with having a business, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. Neheman knows about the ups just as much as the downs.
While Neheman said he never saw himself giving up on his business, there was a time when he didn’t think Brainless was special in any way.
This is when commitment to your craft matters. It’s easy to be excited about your brand when everything’s working, but there has to be something more that helps you get through the tough times.
Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn’t one tangible, but internal.
“I feel like my mind is always all over the place. So I’ll get so far with a product or a design, and then out of nowhere, I’ll just scrap it and work on something else,” Neheman said. “I’ve literally gone as far as getting a sample of clothing, and then scrapping it because there was one little thing I didn’t like.”
Owning a business is a long and winding road that Neheman is navigating.
Cooper Whitton, a fourth-year political science major and close friend of Neheman, said, “The thing I appreciate is that he won’t sell out. He doesn’t switch up. He does whatever he wants.”
For more information about Brainless Boardriding, visit brainlessboardriding.com or @brainlessboardriding on Instagram.
Sydney Brammer 
Olivia Roberts