Meet Michael Bevis | Founder & Chief Innovator

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

Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The pet care industry is currently a $90B a year industry. Currently there are more dogs in U.S. households than there are children. We love our pets because they are loyal to us and provide the joy and support we need on any given day. Humanization of pets continues to grow at a rapid pace and they are now more frequently referred to as family members rather than animals. There are a tremendous amount of opportunities for innovation in the pet care space. Just like human health pet well fare is a top priority and opportunity abounds for those looking to enter a market they might now previously considered.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
KoolSkinz, Pet Performance Wear is a patented temperature control vest for your dog. You see, dogs can’t sweat and they can’t cool themselves like humans. Sadly every year tens of thousands of dogs die from complications related to overheating. Previous products on the market were uncomfortable for your dog and didn’t last longer than 15 minutes to keep your dog cool. I set out to create something better. Our patented vest uses the same high quality materials that professional athletes wear in their uniforms and work to keep your pup Kool for up to 2 hours in 90+ degree weather. I’ve been working on this project for over seven years and it has not been an easy road. Making physical products is costly and time consuming as you iterate through the process of developing an MVP to bring to market. Sourcing materials and finding partners who are willing to work with you in the early stages can be challenging. You have to have grit to push through it and believe in the possibilities of what you are trying to create. Stamina, thick skin, and a determination to succeed are essential ingredients to realize your dream. I am proud of what we have created and the mission our company is on to save one million dogs from complications related to overheating. They are our best friends and it is time for us to return the favor.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well being that we are so close to the mountains, a trip to the great rocky peaks is a must. It doesn’t matter the season, there is always a good time to be had in the soaring peaks just to the west of our beautiful city. A brewery tour is a must of course since Denver and the surrounding area is home to so many amazing breweries. A trip to Red Rocks has to be in the cards as well for its iconic setting and history for so many great musical performances. Dinner time, you’ll often find me in the RiNo district hitting up the newest and greatest discoveries this revitalized area has to offer. One of my favorites is the live jazz club Nocturne. Excellent food and great local bands nightly. An adventurous group outing? Check out Super Mega Bien for delicious Mexican Dim Sum. A fresh cocktail at Death and Co, Finns, or Union station will give you a real feel for what our community is like here in Denver.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Entrepreneurship is a team sport. While you may consider yourself a solopreneur, you can’t achieve major milestones without the support of community. Whether you are seeking capital, an introduction to a perspective client, or a good sturdy shoulder to cry on, you need others to help you get through it. Denver, Colorado is notorious for being a collaborative ecosystem the fosters and propels entrepreneurs to the next level. Doors are open in Denver, from mentors, to networking events, to accelerators, and interested investors. There is a give first mentality across this community and it shines through on a daily basis. I have been fortunate enough to have the support of many great mentors to help me talk through strategy and product development as well as challenges related to growth etc. One thing I encourage all entrepreneurs to do is to make self care a top priority in your journey. No matter how much experience you have this road can be daunting. CEO forums and professional development groups such as Colorado Thought Leaders Forum (https://ctlf.org/) can be a great way to connect with peers and keep what is important in perspective as you embark on the entrepreneurial venture.

Website: https://koolskinz.co/
Instagram: @koolskinz
Facebook: @shopkoolskinz
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0DTVOgmRJw0A3tLIZMMjjQ?view_as=subscriber