Outpost Trade Interviews Outpost

Erik is a third Generation entrepreneur, so he's been involved in business building his entire life. Even as a kid he would be helping out as a family on something that needed done. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps as a way to get a way and get out into the world myself for a bit. College wasn't for him. After 4 years, he finished his commitment as a Sargent and decided to give college a go. While in college, he started interning aggressively at his father's company (ProvoCraft) where he decided he was learning a lot more that route and to be honest, the only reason he was even enrolled at that point was for the girls and rugby.

After a couple years, his father sold ProvoCraft and they started into creating Goal Zero as well as our Non Profit - Tifie Humanitarian. Erik worked in goal running majority of products in the PD department.

During his time with Goal Zero, he created hundreds of products that not only created a new industry for consumers, but was able to spend a lot of time implementing the overall goal of it bringing power to people around the world that were less fortunate to have access to power or that were devastated by natural disasters or worse. This allowed him to travel the world and see it from a pretty uniques lens. He worked on a project in the Congo, Haiti, Philippines, Hurricane Sandy victims, as well as the Navajo nation to name a few.

After he was fortunate to sell Goal Zero, he moved onto the next company, Barebones, where he worked as VP of Product Development. This company was not only another new challenge, but it was also a new piece to the puzzle for our humanitarian work of adding in the next pieces of food and shelter. This brought him into more projects around the world from Fiji to the growing refugee crisis in Syria.

Currently, he is a Barebones consultant as they slowed down the PD section and are building up other areas of the business. However, his need to create products has not dwindled. Because of that, Barebones has created a new company we call NoBox, which is exactly what it sounds like. They wanted a place that doesn't get us thinking outside the box, but where there is no box in the first place. This project while primarily focused on outdoor products (because thats just what they do), IT is a place for them to bring products to a broader audience that may not fit in a more brand centric type company. They wanted to take their decades of experience and find ways to get better quality products for a much better prices to the world. The company's road map is defined by not just what we dream up but has a big focus in finding people that have great ideas as well and give them a way to get it out there.

While running several departments of that company, he's also running a venture called Stretched Politics. It really started out as a joke with a few beers and a Stretch Armstrong, but it's really becoming a message about laughter, community, and less idolization.

Erik resides in SLC with my wife and 3 boys. He loves gardening and motorcycles.

Adam Vollmer is a multidisciplinary design and engineering executive with a track record of creative problem solving, initiative, leadership, and impact.

Formerly a senior engineer in IDEO's Palo Alto office, Adam brings years of expertise in medical device design and biotechnology, as well as a passion for designing considered products and services that responsibly address pressing human needs. During his time at IDEO, insights around disrupting and democratizing transportation led Adam to found Faraday Bicycles, a trailblazing electric bicycle brand. Faraday's design-forward, consumer-centric approach to building both product and brand helped catalyze the rapid growth of the US ebike market into the multi-billion industry that it is today. Faraday was acquired by Pon Holdings in 2016.

Currently, Adam is a Systems Engineer and technical lead with Nike's NXT Smart Systems group. Smart Systems synthesizes consumer electronic expertise with Nike shoe and apparel design to bring smart, embedded technology to Nike products and help advance the future of sport. Hear is full story on the Outpost podcast!

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Check out our creative branding agency partner, Pineapple, on the web! - www.pineapplesf.com

Podcast Co-Hosts:
Marcus V Colombano, Pineapple
Red Rainey, Creative Director

Live up to why you exist. The creative impact agency’s former Senior Talent Manager, Lauren Batcheck, created shared missions with brands at Enso. A born leader and active changemaker, she bases her work on, “the premise that you can learn anything.” She has a distinct vision for every company by helping transform the current DNA into a meaningful brand identity and executing individualized campaigns.

Lauren is passionate about people, developing relationships, and facilitating connections in order to make good ideas become awesome and actionable. She loves walking into ambiguity, learning and deciphering others' strengths, and creating process and structure where it is needed. 

Enso, the peacemaker company, has high hopes of continually creating positive impacts with foundations. Looking at the bigger picture, they are also pushing for innovative things to create more of an understanding in the world.

Create an impact with your brand by checking out the Outpost podcast!

Follow our podcasts on Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play!
bit.ly/OutpostSpotify
bit.ly/OutpostiTunes
bit.ly/OutpostGooglePlay

Check out our creative branding agency partner, Pineapple, on the web! - www.pineapplesf.com

Podcast Co-Hosts:
Marcus V Colombano, Pineapple
Red Rainey, Creative Director

Adam Lewis, founder of Foghorn Labs, is an experienced digital tactician that focuses on helping brands grow their direct-to-consumer business online. Before Foghorn, Adam worked at Google on a variety of teams from Media Sales to International Product Marketing, giving him a unique perspective on how to help companies leverage the web to grow their business. Now he combines his passion for outdoor sports with his marketing experience. He is a powerful hybrid of quant and social scientist and gets his brands excited about establishing a more direct relationship with their customers and while developing the programs to help them do just that.

His small but mighty digital marketing consulting agency, Foghorn Labs, is focused on developing outstanding integrated marketing campaigns for outdoor and active lifestyle brands selling direct-to-consumer online. Adam's expertise is making brands larger than life through digital strategies such as SEO, eCommerce optimization, social media efforts, and more.

Recently, Adam, moved his firm into a building they affectionately call “The Lighthouse”. Now they are back on the Eastside of Portland looking to have you visit when you’re on Alberta grabbing BUNK Sandwiches, Salt & Straw Ice Cream, Bollywood Theater, or any of one of the other delicious food options nearby.

Take your business to great heights and build brand awareness with Foghorn Labs by checking out the Outpost podcast!

Follow our podcasts on Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play!
bit.ly/OutpostSpotify
bit.ly/OutpostiTunes
bit.ly/OutpostGooglePlay

Check out our creative branding agency partner, Pineapple, on the web! - www.pineapplesf.com

Podcast Co-Hosts:
Marcus V Colombano, Pineapple
Red Rainey, Creative Director

Philip Otto, founder of the Otto Design Group, is a hands-on designer and big picture strategist. A Stanford graduate, he received a degree in Cultural Anthropology and began to immediately utilize it within the booming art world. His interest in fashion, spaces and experience design coalesced with a first job at Commes des Garcons. Phil’s direct engagement with brands began with Urban Outfitters, where he also played a central role in the Free People experience. He now resides in Topanga Canyon with his wife and two children, where he is a influential member of the Chamber of Commerce in his community.

His culturally based Otto Design Group develops simple strategies with long-lasting solutions. Since 1990, the company has vastly explored the intersection between design, innovation, culture and enterprise. From pop-up shops, restaurants and cafes, to store designs for international retailers, their designs have stood the test of time in this ever-changing marketplace.

Phil and the Otto Design Group is currently working with REI to open a design concept for their new store location in the heart of Chicago’s “wild mile” along the north branch of the up-and-coming canal area.

Follow our podcasts on Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play!
bit.ly/OutpostSpotify
bit.ly/OutpostiTunes
bit.ly/OutpostGooglePlay

Check out our creative branding agency partner, Pineapple, on the web! - www.pineapplesf.com

Podcast Co-Hosts:
Marcus V Colombano, Pineapple
Red Rainey, Creative Director

Storytelling and aesthetic are two advantages Bone + Gold have mastered when it comes to working with brands. The full service commercial production company was started four years ago by Executive Producer, Rachel Dorsey. Rachel is driven on the daily by "doing." She feeds off of collaborating with like minded individuals and being on energetic sets.

Rachel is originally from San Diego but now resides in NoCal with her husband who is also her business partner and their two children. She is a creative soul who is a big believer in community, hence why she and Outpost are such a perfect match! Her entrepreneurial and open minded spirit create outstanding client relations and inspiring brand stories worldwide.

The innovative magic movie makers, Bone + Gold, capture a vibrant, playful mood, but always ensure the compelling story includes depth and grit. We were stoked to partner with Bone + Gold for our Open Roads event and have them fully capture the experience through their lens! Bone + Gold provides versatility by offering a variety of visual experience services for brands, concepts, products, and more. The three main company principles are based upon trust, respect, and family.

Are you looking for tips to start your own creative production agency but don't know where to start? Rachel discusses business logistics, acquiring clients, and more on the Bone + Gold podcast! Discover your creative passion and pursuit now.

Follow our podcasts on Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play!
bit.ly/OutpostSpotify
bit.ly/OutpostiTunes
bit.ly/OutpostGooglePlay

Check out our creative branding agency partner, Pineapple, on the web! - www.pineapplesf.com

Podcast Co-Hosts:
Marcus V Colombano, Pineapple
Red Rainey, Creative Director