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

Hi Mitch, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We kind of came together at the perfect time to start this. Mitch was looking for something to work on so that he could practice Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator while i wanted an excuse to learn more about social media marketing. We both liked the aspect of building something and once we started we just kept going to get where we are.

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?
The thing we are most proud of in our work is doing something that helps people in need. For those that don’t know, our site makes a donation in the city of which product people buy. Therefore, buying a Denver hoodie would result in a donation to a Denver charity. We worked very hard to hand select the charities we thought aligned with our mission and want to raise as much money as possible for them. Getting to where we are wasn’t always easy but my partner and i enjoy our work and believe in our mission so it didn’t always feel like work. I think people need to realize a lot of losses and failures in life don’t mean they aren’t on the right track, it just means they need to take a few steps back before moving forward again.

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.
Personally, I like the River North area in Denver. I love the vibes, the different types of bars, and all the people down there. Commons Park is also a place i could go every day, It’s absolutely beautiful at sunset. If i am in Denver for the week and i have transportation I’d also consider a day hike in Boulder for some exercise!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of our biggest shoutouts has to be the numerous companies before us that have sold their products in order to pursue a greater good (Ivory Ella selling products who’s proceeds go to saving elephants). They inspired us and made us want to build a brand that can help people in the world, especially people in our favorite cities. I’d advise everyone reading to try and find brands that are working on making a positive impact in the world next time they need a new wardrobe.

Website: https://cityblocksapparel.com

Instagram: cityblocksapparel

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado 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.