It started with a simple question: What could skateboarding in Indianapolis be if someone raised the bar?
Aaron Vaughn had an answer. He didn’t open Versed Skateboard Shop just to sell decks and wheels. He opened it to elevate the entire culture.
“We wanted to offer something different,” he says. “From the brands we carry to the way we present our own product and media — it’s all about quality, authenticity and keeping it simple.”
And simple doesn’t mean small. With skate shop video features in “Thrasher Magazine” and *Transworld Skateboarding* — the two biggest media outlets in the world — Versed has made itself known well beyond Indiana.
So, what makes it unique?
Aaron studies the industry like an artist studies light. “I pull a lot of inspiration from NYC and European-based companies,” he explains. “If their aesthetic aligns with ours, we’ll likely carry them.” His current favorites? Brands like Warsaw LTD, Grand Collection, Hélas and Last Resort — all carefully chosen and thoughtfully curated.
But while Aaron keeps an eye on the global scene, his heart beats for local skaters. Versed is rooted in community.
“We’re always looking out for the next generation,” he says. Through their “flow” program, young talent is invited into the shop to receive gear, guidance and support — sometimes shaping a path toward a skateboarding career. And when kids walk in to build their very first custom board? Versed takes their photo, tags them on social media, and celebrates their entry into the skate world.
“We want to get them excited to skate and inspire their friend groups to join them.”
Beyond the walls of the shop, Versed hosts events at local skateparks, scavenger hunts and giveaways — all with one goal: keep the wheels turning and the community rolling.
Ask Aaron for a favorite memory, and he won’t pick just one. “Every person who walks through that door has a different story,” he says. “We’re just grateful people believe in what we’re doing.”
As skateboarding trends evolve — sometimes rapidly — Versed keeps pace while staying true to its core. “We follow the top skateboarders and the brands they ride for,” Aaron says. “When we release our own graphics, we aim to be current, but also distinct.”
That attention to detail extends to customer service. From top-to-bottom board customization to tailored gear recommendations, Versed makes sure each setup fits the rider — not just the trend. “Many brick-and-mortar shops don’t offer that kind of hands-on experience,” he adds. “We take pride in it.”
Looking ahead, Aaron’s vision is focused but open. “Our goals will stay the same but evolve with the times,” he says. “We want to keep giving back, welcoming newcomers, and encouraging every skater to push themselves — to become the best, and most fun, version of who they are on a board.”
So, in a roundabout way, one could say Aaron Vaughn didn’t just open a skate shop — he created a space where every skater can carve out their own paths.
For more information, you can catch up with them on the web at versedboardshop.com, as well as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @versedskateboardshop.
