Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Zach Watkins

I’m from Colorado, born and raised in Colorado Springs in 1989. It’s amazing to see how much this city has changed over the years. So much good has been brought to COS, but I’ve noticed something missing. While we have some good production companies, there aren’t many that offer high-quality media at prices people can actually afford. Read More>>

Helen Mask

I grew up in Vermont in a small ski town. My Dad worked in the ski and snowboard industry, and I got to go into work with him often as a small kid. At his work I would hang out with the graphic designers and clothing designers, and I was introduced to artists who’s illustrations were turned into snowboard graphics. Being around the commercial arts like this at a young age I always knew I wanted to make art that could be applied to every day things a person might use. A shirt, a iron on patch on your favorite jacket, a sticker on your water bottle, or a poster hanging in your bedroom. Read More>>

Seth Spears

I grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the oldest of six children, in a lower, middle class family. I was homeschooled from kindergarten all the way through high school. I was taught to have a strong work ethic from a very young age. I’ve always been intrinsically curious and a voracious reader. I loved to learn but never enjoyed school. If I wanted something, I work for it in order to make the money to purchase it. Read More>>

Autumn Blackdeer

I’m originally from a small town in Arkansas! I was raised in a tight knit urban Native community right across the Oklahoma border. We would all pack up and drive over for tribal events, powwows, and family gatherings. I am such a community grounded person that I really think of the collective in everything I do. I want us all to win. In a world that presses hyperindividualism, I cherish being community made and sustained. Read More>>

Joshua Mitchell

I was born in Denver and moved around to several states throughout my childhood and teenage years. Living in so many different places gave me a rich, diverse perspective on life and taught me to approach everything with an open mind. I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, starting with my first job working for my parents at their local burger restaurant in metro Cleveland. My grandpa, who built a very successful career as an entrepreneur, also played a big role in shaping me. Every job I’ve held since I was old enough to work has been with small, local businesses, which has kept me deeply rooted in the community and fueled my appreciation for hard work and connection. Read More>>

Abreaze Parra

I was raised in Paonia, Colorado. As a child I was raised surrounded by organic farms and fruit orchards. Pulling your food straight out of the ground was always much more normal to me than going through a drive through. As a child my mom raised me eating eating real, simple food. As I grew up, it became clear to me that not everyone lived this life style. I think being raised in the North fork valley had a huge influence on where I have found myself today and I am so grateful for the innate knowledge of good food, a healthy life style and community that I have been surrounded by. Read More>>

Hannah Ramirez

I was born and raised in a small, rural town in central Louisiana. Although I grew up very loved and surrounded by family, my childhood was chaotic and unstable to say the least. As the oldest child to multiple divorces, wrought with drug use, alcoholism, and financial instability, I was often referred to as “the backbone of the family”. I was thrusted into a caregiver roll at a young age, as well as being born into a family of nurses. I watched my mother work three jobs, lose a home, vehicle, and marriages, while being her support during my most formidable years. Read More>>