A Lafayette entrepreneur turns skateboards into furniture, functional art in one-of-a-kind workshop

From Consumer to Creator: A Calling Shaped by Faith, Craft, and Purpose

In a culture driven by mass consumption, Lafayette native Daniel Barousse is living out a countercultural truth rooted in Scripture: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Through his business, Barousse Works, Barousse transforms discarded skateboards into handcrafted furniture—chairs, tables, bowls, and heirloom pieces—each one carrying history, meaning, and renewed purpose. His work reflects a deeper spiritual principle: God specializes in making something beautiful from what others discard.

Creativity with Intention, Not Location

In January 2025, Barousse completed a fully functional workshop built inside a shipping container—an innovative, mobile space that has traveled as far as Costa Rica and now rests back in Lafayette. For Barousse, the workshop is more than a tool; it is a reminder of calling. “Creativity isn’t about the location,” he says, “it’s about the intention you bring to it.” His words echo Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

A Wilderness Season That Brought Clarity

Before crafting furniture for high-profile clients like actor Jason Momoa, rapper Juvenile, and professional skateboarders, Barousse walked through a season of uncertainty. After losing what he believed was his dream job in action sports, he found himself living out of a van, questioning his future. That wilderness season led him to a 1,000-mile solo bike ride from Denver to Austin—a physically grueling journey that became spiritually clarifying. Like many biblical figures who encountered God in solitude, Barousse found direction by stepping away. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Faith Rooted in Heritage and Craftsmanship

Though he is a fifth-generation woodworker raised in a family of carpenters, woodworking was never the plan—skateboarding was. Yet God often weaves purpose through our roots. During his travels, Barousse realized he could combine the two forces that shaped him: skateboarding and woodworking. That realization birthed Barousse Works. Each handcrafted piece can take dozens to hundreds of hours to complete, shaped alongside longtime collaborator Leo Navio. Their process transforms seven-ply maple skateboards into raw lumber and refined design—patience producing excellence, much like faith itself (James 1:4).

Giving Back and Building What Lasts

Today, about 60% of Barousse’s work comes from custom commissions, often booked months in advance. Yet his mission extends beyond the workshop. Barousse regularly donates thousands of dollars’ worth of skateboards to children across the Gulf Coast. His generosity reflects Proverbs 22:9: “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” For Barousse, giving back is about showing the next generation that what they create—and who they become—can last.

Prayer for the Community

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for creative hearts like Daniel Barousse, who remind us that purpose is found in obedience, patience, and faith. Bless the artists, craftsmen, and dreamers in our communities who are searching for direction. Encourage those walking through uncertain seasons, and help them trust that You are still working. May what we create bring glory to You and hope to others. Strengthen the youth along the Gulf Coast and inspire them to build lives of meaning and service. In Jesus’ name, Amen.