Making Tyme for Community

Next to an old loading dock in the heart of Wilmington is a hidden treasure - a place for people to gather, have fun and learn new things.  A place where the community has come together to convert an empty lot into a modern skate park. At the center of this effort is Matt Wilson – an entrepreneur, community activist and founder of Tyme Skateboard Co., a local manufacturer whose motto is “Moving the scene forward, one board at a time.”

Wilson started the company after completing the entrepreneurship associate degree program at Delaware Tech which gave him the skills and knowledge to transform an idea into a successful small business. Wilson said the program not only taught him how to start a business but introduced him to mentors who encouraged him to follow his dreams.

Wilson created a business model to donate money to the local skateboarding community with every board sold. The funds are donated on behalf of the shop that sells the boards, creating a win-win for the community and the stores.

Wilson said he is not sure what the future holds for him or for Tyme Skateboards. He has dreams of working as a college faculty member and giving back to students like him who seek a fresh approach to learning. “Regardless of how the business turns out, I consider myself a success,” says Wilson. “I always say to do what you want to do, not what you’re told to do. That is success to me.”