Meet Aaron Courtney | Entrepreneur | Mindfulness & Fitness Enthusiast | Founder of Astramat Designs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaron Courtney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Astramat Designs because I saw a gap in the market for yoga mats that were both functional and beautiful. Most mats either looked good but weren’t built for real use, or were durable but didn’t fit well in a home’s aesthetic. I wanted something that could stay out all the time, wide enough to move freely, artistic enough to double as decor, and high-quality enough to last.

The thought process came from my own lifestyle. I care about mindfulness and fitness, but I also care about my environment and how my space feels. I figured others might feel the same way, so I built something I actually wanted in my own home.

At the core, it was about creating a product that felt aligned with how I wanted to live, and seeing if others felt that too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started in healthcare analytics. I spent ten years as an actuary helping large health systems understand medical costs and risk. That work gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and data.

But over time, I wanted to build something of my own. What sets me apart is the mix of analytical thinking and creative drive. I care about how things feel, how they work, and how they improve people’s lives.

Starting Astramat Designs wasn’t easy. I had to learn e-commerce, manufacturing, and marketing from scratch.

I’m proud that Astramat is more than just a product. It reflects how I want to live — intentionally, actively, and surrounded by beauty. I want the brand to help others live that way too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Denver for a week, I’d try to show them a mix of outdoors, music, and good local spots.

We’d get pizza at Blue Pan or Leopold’s, depending on the mood—Detroit-style or thin crust. Catch a show at Red Rocks if there’s one, but Mission Ballroom, the Ogden, and the Bluebird are all great backups.

For outdoor stuff, we’d go mountain biking at Green Mountain or North Table. Both have solid trails and views close to the city. We’d also spend a day in Golden, maybe hang by the river and grab beers at New Terrain Brewing.

Denver makes it easy to jump between adventure and chill. That’s what I’d want to share.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d give a big shoutout to my wife, Evelyn. She’s been the grounding force through all the uncertainty that comes with starting something from scratch. Her support, emotional, practical, and everything in between, made it possible for me to take the leap.

Lastly, to the creative community, friends, designers, and entrepreneurs I’ve met along the way. Your ideas, feedback, and belief in making things better has been fuel.

Website: https://AstramatDesigns.com

Instagram: Astramat_Designs

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/AstramatDesigns