STORY
RECONNECT
Like many people with corporate jobs, I worked behind a computer screen most days for over 20 years. When I was not working on my computer, I was either scrolling through my phone or in a meeting where we all seemed to be engaged with at least one or two screens. My existence had become a stark contrast from the predominantly natural world in which I grew up. Before smartphones and email, my days were spent making things with my hands; drawing, sculpting, and painting, handwriting thoughts and ideas, and making sketches on paper. Since I could walk, I was exploring on two wheels. A spirit of freedom and exploration were in my blood. However, I woke up one day and decided it was time to get out from behind my screens and reconnect with the world in a different way. So, in 2018 I left my job with no plan for the future other than to travel, allow my current ways of thinking to dissipate, and see what new ways would emerge.
INSPIRATION & GIVING BACK
During my travels, I met Dave Wade while climbing Pico de Orizaba (or Iztactépetl ‘White Mountain’) in Central Mexico. Dave is a beautiful human, accomplished mountain guide, and ski patrol and rescue professional. During our climb I became keenly aware that as time away from my screens increased, so did the richness of my thoughts and ideas. There was a problem, though. I was not capturing and retaining these thoughts and ideas. They would slip away over time like a dream just out of reach. I ditched my phone, but did not replace it as my primary note taking tool. Pen-to-paper was the key. I saw light shine down on Dave and his wallet as he pulled it from his pocket. It held not only a pen and notepad, but a credit card knife. I was fascinated, it was just the thing I could use to capture my thoughts and ideas. The seed that would later grow into the Maker's Wallet was planted. Instead of buying this wallet, I would make my own. In honor of Dave's son, Jacob, who died of an accidental opiate overdose in 2017, 10% of all sales will be donated to Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. I met Dave on his journey to spread Jake's ashes at the summit of Pico, and he has been an inspiration to me ever since. Together, Dave and I believe we all can make good things regardless of the circumstances.
