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

Hi Cole, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I suppose most simply; getting to do the things I love and be with the people I love. I think we chase happiness far too much as a society, we’re better off pressing into what we love and letting the rest go from there. On a more substantive level, I really love getting to see people connect with their passion and their uniqueness. We thrive individually when we are fully immersed in our interests and living alongside the support of others. If we make happiness selfish we will never find it. Taking joy in the success of others is the mindset we need to have!

What should our readers know about your business?
Futures is a social impact streetwear brand with the mission to employ and support under-resourced young adults in Colorado Springs. We want to leverage our resources – time, money, connections, networks, etc. – to give resume-worthy experience and practical support to young adults seeking to align their passions and talents with a viable career or artistic endeavor. COS is a funny place. On the surface and in most of what you’d see, it’s very vanilla. But I know that’s so far from the whole story of this place. Our vision is to create a brand that expresses the individual and communal identities of our employees and our city.

I left a career in sport business to pursue Futures in the spring of 2020. COVID didn’t help the progress of this idea but in so many ways it added depth and substance to it. I had more time to research and connect with local resources to better understand the population we’re committed to serving. The hardest thing about this journey has been having to work full-time in the service industry (for the flexibility) on the side of trying to grow and develop Futures. But, that’s just how it goes!

I want people to know and remember that business doesn’t have to be self-serving or profit-driven. I believe so strongly that every single person on this planet has a unique gifting and skillset. I was lucky enough to be born a white upper middle class male with an incredibly supportive family, so I had the privilege of exploring my passions and abilities in the context of a career. Not everyone gets that chance. Systematic and circumstantial barriers are everywhere. If we don’t use the structures that exist in society – business, in this case – to fight against that we will only continue to perpetuate injustice and add to the inequality of how opportunities are distributed.

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’ve lived in Colorado Springs for 10 years and admittedly have not done a lot of the touristy things here or in Manitou! If my best friend was in town for a visit a lot of emphasis would be placed on exploring downtown, Old Colorado City and some spots in Manitou. I love taking visitors to the Broadmoor to just to talk around (I don’t have deep pockets) and enjoy the scenery and history there. Garden of the Gods is pretty universally enjoyed so that’s a good one too. I like challenging the. more adventerous types to do the Incline! I love being outside, more to play sports like tennis, soccer, pickleball, spikeball etc. than just hiking or other Colorado-centric activities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All of my family and friends have been unbelievably supportive. Many of them have backed Futures since it was just an idea, before a name before a logo before a real direction. Anybody can support something that is in motion and successful (or at least trying to be successful), but it takes someone who is really invested to believe before there’s anything to believe in. Former colleagues from my time at USA Basketball have lent so much support. There is a thriving social impact community here in Colorado Springs and I’ve learned so much. Not just in asking questions but these selfless people have gone out of their way to offer expertise and encouragement. Futures would not be Futures without them!

Website: www.futurescos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futures_cos/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurescos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078145111576

Image Credits
Trenton Miller Darrin Hypsher II

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