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

Hi Christian, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve tried out so many careers: Education, marketing, web design, writing… I have enjoyed some aspects about everywhere I have worked, but nothing felt quite right. Teaching was incredibly fulfilling, but it paid so little that I was moonlighting as a bartender. Marketing was dynamic and exciting, but I felt sheer emptiness looking at the graphs that were my “accomplishments”. I loved the structure and problem solving in tech-work, but I missed humans. Over time, I learned that I was really seeking three fundamental features in a career:

*I want to be utilized: I value the hard work I invested in my skills; I want those skills to be valued by my employer.
*I want to be creative: The possibilities in a blank page/screen electrify me .
*I want my work to mean something: Could I crank out a thousand words about an exciting new energy-drink? Sure. I can, and I have. But if I can devote those same hours into a project that might improve lives, I will take the meaningful work every time.

So, I took on some freelance website-work for a wonderful nonprofit. They needed my skills and couldn’t afford a full-time employee. Soon after, I found another nonprofit that needed a part-time grant writer. And on… Within a few years, I had accidentally cobbled together the career I had always wanted. Sometimes taking on far too much (and often charging way too little), but all three of my criteria were met. The pay is inconsistent, and the taxes are brutal, but I do good work for good people who are making a difference. The upsides are invaluable.

Here’s a short list of the amazing nonprofits who I work with.
Heartland Mental Health: a community mental-health clinic in Cap hill that has been offering therapy, peer groups, social events, and other support for over 30 years.
The Idaho Occupational Therapy Association: The state association that represents all Occupational Therapy practitioners in the state through continuing education, lobbying, and an annual conference.
The Nonprofit Strategy Group: A local org that consults and organizes nonprofits
The Pebble Project: A small nonprofit that raises funds for school in the Dominican Republic
Action in Africa: A community-led organization HQed in Colorado, but they run a community center, school programs, health outreaches and more in Nakuwadde, Uganda. Focused on women and children. Amazing organization.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Be a student! I have spread myself among so many (too many?) interests. I have made podcasts, films, and comic books. I play weird instruments no one cares about. I have created and organized events, read stories to strangers, and emceed big, corporate trainings. Did I waste my time because I didn’t “buckle down” and make any of those my career? Would I likely be more successful if I had more focus? Am I an idiot? “Yes” to all three. My career is learning. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know how to do that, but I can figure it out.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved back to Denver last year after many years away, so a lot of my favorite spots are gone or beyond recognition. But there are always new gems to discover, so here are a few of my favorites so far:

Lunch: The Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe for a fun lunch with great beer.

Breweries: Lady Justice Brewing and Our Mutual Friend (OMF) are rad, inclusive spaces with great offerings. We’d do both!

Sights: Everyone knows about Meow Wolf, but I don’t know if we appreciate how extraordinary it is for a bizarre and wonderful place like that to exist at all.

Dinner: Wokano Asian Bistro is always ultra-fresh. Also, I will pull over for Ethiopian cuisine. I have tried at least a half-dozen in the metro, and they have all been exquisite.

Bar: The Electric Cure for wild, creative cocktails.

Shows: I love performance art. Burlesque, Cabaret, Drag, and Stand-up Comedy. There are great comedy shows almost every night in Denver. The Clocktower Cabaret and Red Velvet Burlesque are a blast.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My creative partner is Joe Blablazo, an illustrator, print-maker, and all-around badass artist. We have collaborated on creative projects for over ten years, and I don’t know anyone with his skill, patience and kind heart. Hire him! Pay whatever he asks!

Instagram: @christianatley

Other: My comedy podcast about religious trauma is on all major platforms: Heretic Party @hereticparty on most social media

Nominate Someone: undefined is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.