Brad Rosado is originally from the east coast, where he started filming and editing. Brad has documented many hours of pulaski footage, created multiple independent videos, worked as team manager/filmer, and has contributed to some of your favorite brands like Krooked, Nike SB, etc. We took some time out to talk about the past and the present.

Sloppydays: Where are you at currently seems like you're constantly bouncing around?

Brad Rosado: At the moment, I'm in Las Vegas but bouncing back between here and DC. I can't seem to stay in one place for that long.

SD: What on earth is happening in Vegas, currently seems like it would be a ghost town?

BR: Yeah, the city has been at a standstill. All the Casinos were closed, so there has been no tourist. It feels kind of good like that. If you like it or not, you get a chance to slow down. For a bit, there were some insane spots on the strip you could actually skate. Places that you would dream of getting a chance to skate. Lately, they have been opening up the Casinos again which seems like a breeding ground for Covid to spike back up.  Keeping my distance from that! 

The free time has been a perfect moment to focus on my brand, WINS. Over the past few months, I've been able to redirect it into just a brand rather than what it was before, which was really focused on vintage and streetwear. Last year we had a pop-up shop in Downtown Las Vegas on Fremont St., looking back now, its a blessing to know that we got a chance to experience that before the pandemic.

SD: At one point it seemed like you and Bobby Worrest were two peas in a pod, how did you end up getting so much footage of him?

BR: Filming with Bobby was dope. Definitely learned a lot from skating with him.  It was crazy how random events led to us stacking a bunch of clips.  When I first moved out on my own, I lived in a random attic apartment in a house in DC. There was another person living in the main part of the house but eventually that person left,  which ended up being a crazy opportunity with the landlord.  I was able to get roommates as long as the rent of $1,500/month was paid. The house had 3 bedrooms so if you do the math it was insanely cheap. You can barely get a decent one bedroom for that amount now in DC.  Bobby ended up being one of the roommates, which worked out perfectly to go out and film. 

With that tool in our hands, I ended up being able to contribute a lot of footage to his part in Krooked Khronicles, Get Familiar, and other projects while living there.  From that bond I was able to continue help film projects for eS, 411vm, and other DLX projects. 

SD: What influenced you to create WINS?

BR: Deciding to do WINS was pretty much a moment of clarity after working for a brand for a long time. I would work non stop like a mad man but felt I wasn't focusing on myself. I figured I was always on the clock, so what's the harm of adding more to my plate if I was investing in myself. Shortly after, WINS ended up being the only thing I worked on with my wife Amber Ng. I figured if I used all the energy that I was helping another company make money with, I would be able to do it for myself. WINS, which stands for "While I'm Not Sleeping," represents the idea of what you can accomplish while you're awake. Many of us share the hustle mentality, and I felt like I was doing a lot in my everyday routine, so it fits perfectly.

SD: The true entrepreneurial spirit, going from the guaranteed check to counting on yourself and hustle to get it done. What's one project you worked on while working directly for a brand that made you feel like you were giving yourself away?

BR: I'm not sure if there was any particular project that made me feel that way. The overall responsibilities that I had painted that mental picture for me. For a long time, I worked for DGK, and I was the Team Manager/Filmer. The team was pretty big, and we were continually putting out projects. I really worked non stop but also had a lot of fun doing it.
Some people are okay with working for someone and just getting a check. Others want to have some type of ownership or see it remain valuable in their future. Knowing that I was getting older I made the decision to invest in myself to make every moment count before it was too late. 

SD: As a team manager for DGK, it seems like you have to deal with egos and attitudes, not only from the managing side but also on the filming front, almost as if you're the HR person and the skateboarder. You guys go to war together to get a trick and go to war about sleeping/travel arrangements. What's the funniest story during your tenure?

BR: Yeah, the bond was strong when it came to working with the team. I still talk to those guys frequently. There were crazy times with that crew that I'll never forget. The real good stories will have to be left unsaid, but there is one story that I still remember was when we did the tour with Zero. I was on a straight 45-day mission all over the US, in the middle of that trip, we had a close call. On that tour, it was kind of an unsaid competition between each brand, almost like who was more on point, even with the stereotypes of each company. 
I forget which city we were heading to, but the van was packed to the max with the entire team. Being the TM it was a part of my duties to drive, as I was driving, I remember keeping a steady 80mph pace to keep it safe. Out of nowhere, we had a blowout, and the van started to go out of control. It was like it was happening in slow motion. Miraculously I was able to pull over the van safely! I still trip on the fact the entire team, the talent behind DGK, was in my hands that day, I'm glad we made it out alive. 

SD: That sounds like a situation where grey hair starts coming out of nowhere. Any advice for kids aspiring to be a skate filmer or team manager?

BR: I'd say you got to stay hungry. I've tried to intern kids before, and they would only do it if they got paid. I understand, but if you want longevity, sometimes you have to work for free to gain the experience needed. There is a lot to learn, so if you stay hungry and patient, you should be able to make it happen. I remember there were projects that I filmed for, and I got paid in product. It was funny that I had to hustle to get the clips, and then I also had to sell the product that I got paid with to make the actual money. To be honest, that process taught me a lot about character building, and I appreciate that.  

SD: Considering how much content you've filmed/created, were there any edits you put out where you thought this is definitely getting taken down, no way this going to fly regarding the music used?

BR: I would always hail mary all the songs I used for edits. A couple of times, I had to do re-edits, and the pressure of finding an equal replacement was harsh. Usually, I'd research music for projects for months and months. I know in the Saved video Dane's 2nd song is different than the one that plays on TWS and YouTube. Also, I did an edit with a Kendrick song that got taken down immediately. I realized that using a Jay-Z or Kendrick just isn't possible. Those dudes don't play, haha. I'd have to say every project that got posted to YouTube, I had that feeling in the back of my head. Almost waiting for a phone call after turning in the final project, saying that it got flagged.

SD: It’s so exciting when an edit doesn't get flagged! What's in the works? 

BR: Most likely, a lot of short projects for WINS. Just good fun raw edits. Skating in DC is my favorite, and anytime I can get out there to skate/film, I feel something always comes out of it. Hopefully, that can grow into something bigger. A few people have reached out to me as well to help with some videos. We will see where that goes. I have also been collaborating with Parlay Distribution in ATL to make some new products. All that has been coming together real dope. 

SD: We appreciate you spending time and sitting down to do this, any final words or shout outs?

BR: Hyped to catch up with you guys. Shoutout to everybody that has supported me or WINS.  Don't forget to invest in yourself!