Rural is Rad: Empowering Small-Town Outdoor Brands
The Outside Days festival in Denver recently showcased a unique initiative called Rural is Rad, a collective of over 50 small-town Colorado outdoor brands. This event provided a platform for these innovative creators to display their latest products, attracting tens of thousands of attendees.
Conor Hall, from the Colorado outdoor recreation office, described the festival as a bustling hub of creativity, where festival-goers could explore unique Colorado gear. Kelly Mazanti, the Summit County CEO and co-founder of Rural is Rad, aimed to address the challenges of running businesses in rural areas. She questioned how to create sustainable industries in these communities, fostering economic growth and talent retention.
During the festival, 15 innovative tinkerers showcased their creations in the Rural is Rad Village. Brands like Bold Outerwear, WrovenDen, Sky View Tents, Stark Side Gear, and QuikrStuff displayed their unique products. Courtney Despos, a founder of Skeyo Outdoors, highlighted the importance of protecting gear during transportation, a challenge many outdoor enthusiasts face.
The Rural is Rad Village, located in the Camp Colorado section of the festival, attracted significant attention. Despos noted the positive reception and sales generated within the village. This success led to the establishment of The Hub in Gunnison, a new venture offering manufacturing and storage space for rural businesses.
Rural is Rad aims to bridge the gap between mountain-town business founders and urban connections with investors, consumers, and employees. Kelly Mazanti emphasizes the need to broaden customer bases and provide support for these small brands. The initiative has gained support from the Colorado outdoor recreation office, which helped subsidize the brands at the festival.
Conor Hall highlights the festival's exposure and its potential to diversify rural economies. By connecting small brands with investors, Rural is Rad can strengthen the entire state. Kelly Mazanti's vision includes events and education to facilitate business-investor connections, addressing the challenge of attracting investors to small-town brands.
Ultimately, Rural is Rad strives to empower rural outdoor brands, fostering economic growth and talent retention in these communities. It presents a unique opportunity for small businesses to thrive and for investors to discover innovative ideas, ultimately benefiting both the brands and the state's economy.
