Jeff Popp
FOUNDER · Denver Design Co. - MHM - CO.ALITION | Jun 09 - Jul 17
Denver, CO
In My Own Words
+Brand Developer
+Product Creator
+Process Innovator
+Entrepreneurial Minded Leader
I’m a brand, product and process innovator from the mile-high city of Denver, CO with a unique background and skills. I have over a decade of experience in building, leading and managing several international businesses. This means I have experience in just about every aspect of business, but have a special talent and passion for brand development, product creation/ direction and innovating processes for collaboration and efficiency. I gained most of my experience by necessity as a young entrepreneur, building brands and products since 2009. I learned a lot in those early years and found that I really thrive at improving and creating unique solutions for just about anything. I have a knack for creating something remarkable that makes people talk.
I’ve shown this in the two internationally distributed backpack brands I founded when I was just 22 - MHM (Mile High Mountaineering) & CO.ALITION - these brands went on to shake up the bag industry with unique innovations and designs. Since selling my backpack companies in 2016, I went on to start and operate a product development agency, Vagari Design Collective. I did that for almost 2 years until I was approached with an opportunity to lead the product department at a 40-year-old heritage outdoor brand. I was hired at Mountainsmith as the Product line and Development Manager in January 2019. Since joining their team I’ve lead the brand into a new generation of innovation to their product line, processes and overall brand development.
I love to travel, snowboard, camp, hike, fish, and play guitar. I’m a former collegiate All-Amercan and national champion Snowboarder. My wife and I also own and operate a small side business offering private camping and events on our own mountain ranch in Colorado.
Work Experience
FOUNDER | PRODUCT & BRAND DIRECTOR
Denver Design Co. - MHM - CO.ALITION | Jun 09 - Jul 172009 – 2017
As an entrepreneur, I had to learn a wide range of skills. I handled everything from processing & boxing orders, logistics, marketing, PR, social media to accounting & payroll. You name it, I’ve done it. I’ve filled just about every role of the businesses I founded at some point. My main role was focused around the overall creative direction of product and branding. PRODUCT DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION +Drove & managed the entire process from beginning to end + product ideation & initial concept sketches + created design direction briefs + CAD line drawings + assisted factory in patterning & shaping process + tech pack creation + managing the factory sample development team + sourcing & developing materials & trims + comments & updates on prototypes + managed production timeline + visited factory for hands-on QA of productions +Designed a custom product design process & theory
