Loan Officer Russ Warner: From Mars to Longboarding
In a world of late nights, endless calls, and chasing closings, loan officer Russ Warner was living what many would call the American Dream. He was rising through the ranks of the mortgage industry in Utah, expanding operations, and building success across the U.S. But like many professionals, he eventually faced a hard truth—success in business was costing him time with his family.
Russ’s life had started to feel like the lyrics of “Cat’s in the Cradle and the Silver Spoon”. Long workdays turned into long weeks, and while the bank account grew, so did the distance between him and the people who mattered most.
🔄 A Turning Point
“I kept telling my wife and kids, ‘someday I’ll have time for you,’” Russ recalls. “But someday never comes unless you make it.”
That realization hit hard. Russ was watching his kids grow up without him—missing the very moments he thought he was working so hard to support. That’s when he knew something had to change. He didn’t want to leave the mortgage industry entirely—he had built a strong foundation as a top loan officer in Utah—but he needed something more. Something meaningful. Something fun.
🛹 Ghost Boards Is Born
So Russ turned to something totally different: longboarding. But not just any longboard would do.
“I wanted a board I could ride with my kids,” Russ explains, “but I couldn’t find one that was high quality, made in the USA, and reasonably priced.”
That’s when Ghost Boards was born—a custom longboard company built around family, creativity, and fun. Russ started making clear acrylic longboards by hand, using quality materials and innovative designs that stand out from the crowd. LED lights, customizable shapes, durable components—Ghost Boards offered something different, and skaters noticed.
What started as a passion project quickly grew into a thriving business, blending Utah-based craftsmanship with a global love for skating.
💼 Balancing Mortgages and Longboards
By day, Russ Warner still works as a mortgage loan officer, helping families finance their dreams across the U.S. By night (and sometimes lunch breaks), he’s helping them carve pavement and cruise the streets on custom Ghost longboards.
He jokes, “I’ve worked from Mars to longboarding. Okay, maybe not Mars, but I’ve helped clients from coast to coast.”
Russ’s story isn’t just about skateboards. It’s about balance—between work and life, career and creativity, ambition and family.
🌟 From the Office to the Skatepark
Today, Ghost Boards has shipped longboards across the country, lit up skateparks with its LED wheel designs, and inspired hundreds to hit the streets with confidence. But for Russ, the biggest win isn’t just the business—it’s the moments with his kids.
“Now, I get to ride with them. I get to be present. That’s something you can’t buy with any commission check.”
🚀 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a trusted loan officer in Utah or a custom longboard built to ride and inspire, Russ Warner brings the same energy, commitment, and heart to everything he does. His journey from mortgages to longboarding shows that success doesn’t have to mean sacrifice—it can mean carving a new path.
👉 Learn more about Ghost Boards and shop custom longboards at https://www.ghostboardsshop.com
