This Saturday (11/28/2020) marks the annual #SmallBusinessSaturday, a day to support small businesses and communities across the country by shopping “small”. Many of these 7 businesses are based in Colorado and the surrounding region and others represent east coast and middle America love and creativity. But, all of these these businesses share one thing in common: a passion for the outdoors. So this #SmallBusinessSaturday, follow along in their journey and consider supporting them this holiday season!
HEC Studio
Sarah Haske Buchanan and Lucy (her 40-foot “dream machine”) are the smile-inducing duo behind HEC Studio, a custom hat company based in Fairplay, Colorado. Celebrating their 5th anniversary this year, HEC Studio creates custom hats – truckers, 5-panel, classy brimmed, and more! – featuring unique artwork designed by Sarah and full of empowering energy. Follow the HEC Studio IG for all of Sarah’s positive, love-spreading energy and a little dose of Truxton (the feline supervisor) antics.
Oveja Negra
Bikes are life in my book and without them, our world would not be the same. Thankfully, Oveja Negra, creator of “top shelf bikepacking gear” helps fuel the bike-loving stoke. From their bike-specific bags to their everyday packs, Oveja Negra gear truly is top shelf as well as fun and functional. Founders, Lane and Monty Willson along with their stellar team post everything from whack packs to witty black sheep shenanigans, so follow along if that’s your thing…and even if it’s not. You won’t be disappointed.
Wildbird Threads
Owner, Elizabeth Wheeler Bailey, cares about the environment, the organizations that support it and the people inspired by it. Wildbird Threads is a southern Colorado-based apparel company and family-owned and operated business. They collaborate with artists to showcase their nature-inspired work on sustainable materials and apparel printed with eco-friendly inks. Their IG is inspiring and offers a fresh breath of the “real” – real places, real families and real passion.
Vedavoo
Fly fishing enthusiasts, unite! Vedavoo is the brainchild of founder, Scott Hunter and the result of him and his team including master builder, Meredith St. George; material prep/shipping lead, Tim Herbert; and social media guru Justin Carfagnini. Their gear is bomb-proof – from reel covers to duffels and day packs and their IG is inspiring. The grass roots-curated content not only features their innovative gear, but most importantly, it showcases the people who put it to the test.
Big Hollow Designs
Sustainability-minded and handcrafted in Wyoming, Big Hollow Designs is the mastermind behind WhatVest. Owners/Creators Nadia and Josh Burton and Jamie Lindsey are committed to reducing their carbon footprint by creating the WhatVest with recycled materials (many of which are manufactured in the USA) and working toward zero waste (by using scraps as fill in dog beds). The WhatVest is as comfortable as it is technically capable and their instagram is fun and stoke-inducing!
Brinkley Messick Art
There is something really special about the 104,185 square miles that is Colorado. Whether you’re a born-and-bred local, transplant, or annual migrator, there is something here that draws you in and keeps the mountains, valleys and everything in between in your heart. Thankfully, Brink Messick also captures that essence in his artwork Which ranges from hand-painted up-cycled patches to landscapes painted on reclaimed wood to downtown murals. His IG showcases who he is (creator of art, worker of trails, father, advocate of the environment), what he does and the places that inspires him (and so many others).
Ski Pulk
Co-owners, Grant and Ashley are the Minnesota-based husband and wife team behind Ski Pulk. They create pulks and gear sleds “to help make winter accessible to more people, regardless of their experience, size or location”. Our family – and many other people, as showcased in their socials – use their sleds on quick day trips and overnight backcountry excursions all across the country. If winter adventuring is your thing – and gets the people you’re shopping for this season excited – follow along for some winter adventure inspiration. (Image courtesy of brinkleymessicart.com)
If that’s not enough to quench your small biz thirst, check out some of our other favorites! From small batch coffee roasters to sustainably sources wool apparel, from fly rod builders to fish-themed, women-owned fishing gear, these small businesses are working hard to bring you great gear, food and more!
