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

Hi Trevor, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I had been working on various brand ideas for a while. I wanted to build a little outdoor brand of my own where I could create fun and unique designs, write blogs about hiking, post photos and videos of my adventures, and generally engage with a like-minded community. While reading about the history of the Colorado Rockies, I learned more about the importance Colorado’s Western Slope plays in providing water to the majority of Colorado’s citizens. It was breathtaking to learn about the literal mountains moved to ensure the people living in the Front Range and eastward had access to fresh water. I am really impressed with how vital the Western Slope really is to sustaining life in Colorado so I wanted to pay homage to the very life support of our beautiful state.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have worked many careers and even more jobs in my time, often feeling like a jack of all trades and a master of none. I was a watchmaker for 6 years, a high school English teacher for a year, a learning and development director for a few years, and currently a product writer for a tech company. How did I get here? I wish I knew. Life takes many strange turns but it always delivers you to where you’re meant to be. My entire life I wanted to become a high school teacher, but once I became one I realized it wasn’t for me. So, I went back to school to get a Masters degree in nonprofit management because I knew I was fulfilled by helping people and I wanted to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. My masters degree opened many new doors for career opportunities in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. After working with a few nonprofits on community programs, I could never really land the exact type of career I was seeking (program development) so I ended up taking a career with the tech company that I work for today. I am incredibly happy at my current job and this happiness is what led me to starting Western Slope Gear. Thanks to my stable career and satisfaction at work, I finally had the time and mental clarity to focus on my own hobbies and goals—one of which being launching my own outdoor brand.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way that I would want to share with others is this: Don’t create a brand to get rich, because you won’t—not at first. Create a brand because it brings you joy. If I never sold another item I would continue creating content and engaging with my community because it brings me joy to do so. I don’t put in the hours of work on the brand because I receive huge financial dividends from doing so. I put in the hours of work on the brand because it brings me joy to.

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?
I would spend the first three days in Estes Park, CO shopping, eating, riding mountain rides, and hiking in the national park. After the first three days I would spend the next two on the other side of the park in Grand Lake, kayaking, swimming, and hiking the trails on the western side of the park. Lastly, I would spend the final two days in Denver visiting my favorite watering holes like Barcelona Wine Bar, Avanti, Happy Camper, and more. Maybe catch a Rockies game or sit rink-side for an Avalanche game. In my opinion, the most fun and exciting thing for visitors is the Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My girlfriend Candace deserves far more than a shoutout. She supports my ideas, encourages me to act, pushes me to my limits, embraces ambiguity with me, picks me up when I’m down, pulls me back down to earth when my ambitions have gotten a little too grandiose, reminds me that I’m loved and cared for, and has always had my back. I would not be where I am today without her support and love.

Website: https://westernslopegear.com/

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

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.