Meet Nicholas Young | Creative Director

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

Hi Nicholas, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2025, people aren’t just buying products—they’re buying stories.

Think about it: you don’t choose a local bookstore because it has the widest selection. You shop there because each purchase supports your neighborhood and strengthens a sense of place.

I’ve been involved in online media since the early days of low-bitrate streaming audio. As both a technologist and a creative director, I’ve never been more excited about the future of story-driven content. In the era of generative AI, we have an unprecedented opportunity to use documentary-inspired techniques to craft some of the most compelling narratives—and persuasive campaigns—the internet has ever seen.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve had an exciting career so far as an engineer, with the opportunity to contribute to several impactful projects within the open source software ecosystem. Each chapter of that journey has added new tools to my toolkit—tools that have not only shaped my technical skill set but have also deeply informed my growth as a director and producer. Contrary to what some may believe, these concepts and disciplines aren’t opposites. I’m able to use interdisciplinary methods to go between, and into, both.

What I’ve come to appreciate is how intertwined these disciplines are. The structure, problem-solving, and iterative mindset from engineering continuously bleed into my creative work. Whether I’m mapping out a new film or designing an experience, that technical foundation allows me to execute ideas with precision and intention.

Engineering also plays a deeply personal role in my life as an amputee. It’s not just my profession, it’s part of how I navigate the world. Living with hardware integrated into my body means I’m constantly thinking about systems, adaptability, and innovation on an intimate level.

Though I’m trained as an engineer, I’ve learned that the stories we tell about our lives and work often carry more weight than the impact of the work itself. Stories connect us, inspire us, and help make sense of complexity. Whether through a line of code, a visual composition, or a spoken narrative, I’m driven by a desire to create work that resonates, and to tell stories that make space for others to do the same.

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.
We’d definitely spend time in the mountains, preferably along the Peak to Peak highway stopping at all of the little towns. Among my favorite is Nederland, home to Boogie Records and home to some of the best food this side of the continental divide.

I also couldn’t miss sharing the Main Street view from the nearby small town of Littleton, Colorado. Spell Books, Pho Real, and 5280 Crystals are highlights of the area.

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?
My Littleton and South Englewood crew:

– Spell Books, Corey Dahl (https://spellbooksco.com)
– On the Fence Kombucha (https://onthefencekombucha.com)
– Sanitas Brewing Englewood (https://sanitasbrewing.com)

For the wonderful interviews in my Craft and Process series, which gave me the inspiration to continue forward and return to online media.

– Any and All Bikes (https://anyandallbikes.com)

For all of the adaptive cycling accessories and advice over the years.

Website: https://secretfader.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretfader

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@secretfader

Other: https://fictiveflame.co (my documentary-inspired video marketing firm)