Our doubts are traitors and make us fear the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

The Critical Slide Society started as a blog in a small beachside cottage on the east coast of Australia in September 2009 by Jim Mitchell & Sam Coombes. Goal – to develop a society of people connected through surf, fashion, art and most importantly, a good sense of humour. They met and worked together at Mambo many moons ago. Jim one of Mambos founding artists is now responsible for TCSS cool props and art direction and Sam in Marketing and operations. AR hung out with Co-Founder Sam Coombes in the new TCSS office in Surry Hills to find out more about the business man behind the brand.

The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was… Give my 1 1/2 year old son, Ziggy a big hug!

When I was a kid I wanted to be… a Doctor or an illustrator.

The studies I took to get where I am… Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, AWARD School, Masters in Business Marketing

I’m inspired by… Shawn Stussy, Wes Anderson, Richard Branson

I admire… mum, dad and my partner Samantha. (my dad due to the courage he showed over the number of years he battled cancer)

The tools I can’t live without… my Laptop, my iPhone and a bag of W&C coffee

The instruments I use… Laptop, Mouse, Pantone TPX book and a tamp

I’m most creative when I’m… by myself & under time constraints

My favourite book… Papillon

The website I hang out on the most… thecriticalslidesociety.com, monsterchildren.com and pinterest.com

I’m currently listening too… Alexander Ebert

The obstacles that have come my way… My dad passed away when I was 29, and just the usual hurdles of operating your own businesses..always a fire to put out

My favourite place in the world… between Shelley Beach, NSW, Noosa National Park, QLD, Canggu, Bali and Tokyo. All for different reasons and memories.

I would like to travel… through South of France into Basque Country & Spain

My travel essentials are… My Bellroy Passport holder, universal charger and my laptop

One thing I would like to do but haven’t got around to it yet… Having a month off, surfing everyday and hanging with the family

The highlights over the past 12 months have been… My son taking his first steps on his first birthday, moving into our new office in Surry Hills.

The latest project I’m working on…A collaboration with Desillusion Magazine from France, Greenroom Festival Japan & Hawaii and a Bespoke Custom Boardshort World Tour & our Will&Co pop-up cafe 2.0 in Richmond, Melbourne

Advice I have to share for those who want to get into this profession… Don’t do it! And if you do, get a number of good years working for someone really great, suck all the information out of them and then do it.
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Photography: Katie Kaars

Interview: Michelle Owen