Editor’s note: Chris Lee is the man behind CtotheJL.com and CJL Media. I was introduced to his website by Ray Mate of Mighty Healthy, but Chris also does online marketing for Diamond Supply Co. This is Chapter 1 of his story.

Skateboarding, one word that changed my life forever. When I was 12, my mother took me to my local mall in Freehold New Jersey to go to Blades. Blades was one of the only skateboarding shops in New Jersey and had all the ill brands and was the ‘go to’ place to shop. I started networking there when I was 12 years old by going twice a week, getting friendly with the employees, eventually getting a job 2 years later at the age of 14. While working at Blades, I was introduced to Nike SB, the first pair I ever saw was the Nike SB Takashi dunk low black/gold. I asked the customer where he got them and he said at a ‘Nike SB’ shop in Belmar, New Jersey. It was pretty much down hill from there, buying new Nikes every month, eventually making me broke ha. I continued to work at Blades until 2003, eventually they closed leaving me without a job that I loved so much.

After Blades, I started surfing the internet, eventually meeting someone named Kevin Ma, he runs Hypebeast.com. Kevin and I were the only writers on the site back in ‘05. During my Hypebeast days, Nick Tershay left a comment on my Myspace, and I quote “What’s Up Hypebeast.” I didn’t know who Nick was or what he did, but was interested to find out. I hit up Nick on AIM, and started doing online marketing for Diamond Supply Co. the following Monday. Eventually Hypebeast went one way, and I went the other. But it was a great experience and led me to the people who I know today. On Thursday December 22nd, while faking sick from high school, I created CtotheJL.Blogspot.com. I finished up the rest of my senior year and moved to the city of dreams, New York. I started working retail with Blades, eventually picking up a assistant buying position with Blades. The first year of Magic I met a friend by the name of Marcus Troy, Marcus wrote from WRG Magazine and was wearing a pair of Gray Jordan III’s, I looked at Marcus and said, ‘Damn dude, how do you get all the Jordan’s – So Early!’ We been great friends since.

‘I only follow the trends Marcus starts.’ Ha. (c) Joe LaPuma.

Once I moved to the city, I started the .com of CtotheJL.com. I worked diligently emailing companies trying to get interviews, of course getting shut down, I mean CtotheJL? What the hell does that mean?! ha. The only person who was down for me to take pictures and blog about them was Antoine Shepard, the store manager of New Era, and also my best friend. My sophomore year, I met one of my closest friends who remains my big brother outside the industry, Joe LaPuma. Joe is the Associate editor of Complex Magazine and has been my mentor/big brother for the whole process. For the record, JLP was the Marketing for the Good Wood Jesus Piece, he was the first one to blast it on his Hypebeast Blog.

Through out the years, I worked for companies such as King Stampede, Addict, Amongst Friends, Mighty Healthy, and Most importantly Diamond Supply Co. Handling all of their sales, brand direction, and online marketing. Diamond Supply Co. released their Misfits shirt back in ‘05, that is when things started for me. Nick and I worked very close together creating product, concepts, and of course promoting the product online. During the process, CtotheJL.com grew the be an online lifestyle magazine, and CJL Media was born. CJL Media is an online digital media business that creates concepts and markets the product for each client. CJL Media created the Good Wood Jesus Piece. The Good Wood Jesus Piece was released on Black Friday and sold out, stay tuned for a re-release, I cant be having people pay 200+ for a Jesus Piece it’s not fair. Nation will break the news so stay tuned. ha.

Chapter II of my life starts Saturday January 2nd, I will be moving to Los Angles to start a new life. New York was good to me, and I will miss my friends and family very much. But it’s time to move, but before I do, shouts to EVERYONE who has supported CtotheJL.com. Starting January 1st, until further notice we will be doing giveaways from your favorite companies, so make sure you Follow us on Twitter! – Twitter.com/CtotheJL.

Shouts to the CJL Crew – Rummy, Fat Frankie, Mills, R.Mills, Kazar, Notaro and Lars. Special thanks to to my parents who have supported me from day 1. All the homies, Joe LaPuma, Marcus Troy, HOF, Kerri [Good Wood], Timmhotep, JD [Hip Hop Update], Mike Yi, Antonie Shepard, Ray Mate, Denis Iderman, Hawaii Mike, the big brother I never wanted Hyun Kim, Yu Ming, all the homies in NY.

Sidebar: Doug Siu is taking over my position in New York, Holla at him. Doug.Siu@CtotheJL.com

Special shout out to my wonderful girlfriend Lisa Catalina, without her, I would not have anyone to vent to.

Nation, you’re my brother from another, thanks for the interview.