The Underswell with Derek Sabori

🌊 From Surf Culture to bettershelter: Steve Jones on Design, Real Estate & Reinvention

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Guest: Steve Jones — Owner, bettershelter | Creative Visionary | Real Estate Developer

Steve Jones has lived many careers in one: surfer, Quiksilver creative, college instructor, boutique developer, and community builder. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for design vision, grit, and a knack for staying relevant. In this episode, Steve shares stories that remind us why creativity, perseverance, and relationships matter more than ever when building a career. 🌊🏡

From his early days helping Shawn Stussy with shop windows in Laguna Beach, to leading Quiksilver’s visual identity during its rise to a global powerhouse, to launching bettershelter and transforming Southern California neighborhoods through inspired and thoughtful real estate, Steve’s story is packed with lessons for anyone navigating their career path.

🔍 What We Talk About

  • The transformative power of design — and why brands can’t overlook it
  • How surfing, flea markets, and vintage treasures shaped his creative lens
  • Building relevance: why staying fresh is the lifeblood of a career or brand
  • Taking the leap: leaving the “mothership” to go out on your own
  • The importance of connections, relationships, and mentors
  • Saying yes, and then figuring it out

    • đź’ˇ Key Takeaways

    “Your job is to make your boss look good.”

    “Don’t underestimate the public—people notice more than you think.”

    “Sometimes you’ve just got to jump in. Figure it out as you go.”

    “There’s a reason you have one mouth and two ears: listen more.”

    “Put yourself in situations where you don’t know all the answers—that’s where the growth is.”

    🎯 Listen to this episode if you are:

    • A creative professional wondering how to pivot careers
    • A designer or entrepreneur looking for ways to stay relevant
    • Someone curious about the overlap of surf culture, design, and real estate
    • A career-builder seeking timeless advice from someone who’s been there

      • 👉 Follow Steve and his projects:

      Steve Jones on LinkedIn

      bettershelter on Instagram

      California Surf Club

      bettershelter

      Music by Lidérc.

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      The Underswell with Derek SaboriBy Derek Sabori