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I wanted to share something that lies at the very heart of our brand. I had the incredible experience of attending a Pearl Jam concert at Wrigley Field in Chicago with my son, Jacob. We were lucky enough to be in the pit, at the front of the stage! I couldn’t help but think about how the 13 year old version of me would have given everything to be this close to the band that would go on to shape so much of his creative life. Music has always been a source of inspiration for me, and some of our most beloved designs have roots in songs and lyrics that have meaning for me.

As adults, we sometimes forget how much our happiness and passion today can be directly linked to the things that made us most happy as kids. For me, it was music. Formative songs and lyrics helped me understand the world and myself. So much of that inspiration is still at the core of what drives our brand. For instance, designs like Scrape The Sky, Too Big For My Size, and All That’s Sacred were inspired by my connection to Pearl Jam's music. A connection I felt so deeply as I watched the band perform live with my son by my side.

The Beatles have also played a huge role in shaping my creative path. Designs like Here Comes The Sun and Love Is All You Need bring the timeless messages of these classic Beatles songs to life in wearable art. These songs and the feelings they evoke still speak to me, and I hope that same energy resonates with you through our designs.

At Rivet Apparel Co, we strive to honor the connection between passion and purpose in everything we do. Every t-shirt design has a story. And our tees are printed using eco-friendly + water-based inks, ensuring that our love for music and creativity aligns with a commitment to sustainability.

When I dream of hiking in nature, I picture towering red rocks, handsome cacti, and warm sunshine on my skin. You can imagine my excitement when I recently had the opportunity to go hiking with a friend in Sedona, AZ. As humans often do, I dream, I plan, and I think through how I want things to go. As nature often does, it humbles you and teaches you something new. Instead of sunshine warming my skin and red dirt on my hiking boots, nature delivered over 8 inches of snow. Now you can imagine my dissapointment when things didn't turn out the way I had imagined. We could have spent a relaxing day in the warmth of our cozy Airbnb, but we decided to brave the snow storm and hit the trails.

As it turns out, it was one of the most magical hikes I've ever experienced. We hiked a 10 mile loop trail from Cathedral Rock to Bell Rock. The vibrant red rocks, spectacular cacti, and desert plants were all covered in a fresh blanket of snow. This incredible scene was entirely ours without another soul in sight. As we left boot prints in the fresh snow, it felt like we had stumbled through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia. I was in awe of my surroundings and struck with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. We almost missed it all because nature had delivered something more spectacular than what my mind could imagine. And such is life. We make our plans from a narrow perspective that is incredibly smaller than what this Earth has to offer us.

What does any of this have to do with an apparel company and t-shirts? I wanted to share the "why" behind what I do. I desire to explore nature and continue learning as I journey through life. Those experiences in nature feed my soul and fuel my creativity. The quiet conversation between my hiking boots and the trail is what often inspires my next design idea. There's no greater compliment for me, professionally, than when I encounter another human wearing a t-shirt created by me and my talented team.

There's a story and an experience with each new design. I want to be more intentional about sharing those stories with all of you. In the meantime, here are some photos from my snowy hike in Sedona. It's an honor and a privilege to share this creative journey with all of you.

It was sunny and in the upper 70s the day before I landed in Colorado for this trip. As my Southwest flight touched the runway in Denver, the snow had already started falling. That didn't stop Levi and me from some cold weather camping.

We headed approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes north west of Denver to Lost Lake. As we started our hike, the snowfall was nearly white out conditions. We followed the trail as it guided us along Middle Boulder Creek. The tumbling cascades of water over icy rocks and boulders provided a beautiful soundscape, along with snow crunching under our boots. This snowy overnight in a tent by Lost Lake is such a fun memory.

Our next adventure was 40 minutes north west of Denver at Eldorado Canyon State Park (just south of Boulder, CO). The snow had started to melt and that meant we could squeeze some climbing in. This was a memorable day of climbing because I was able to attempt my first "crack climb," which is when you follow a crack in the rock face and use jamming techniques to get leverage as you traverse up the climb. It was a fun and challenging experience.

More climbing adventures in Colorado Springs, CO at Garden of the Gods. This trip was a fun memory because my oldest son, Jacob, got a chance to climb outdoors for the first time. And because we were at Garden of the Gods, he had an audience of tourists cheering him on. Another memorable climbing adventure with Levi on the beautiful red rocks.

At an elevation of 14,196 feet, Crestone Needle is the 21st highest peak in the state of Colorado. If you're ranking by beauty and stunning views, Crestone Needle is often ranked in the top 5. Located approximately 4 hours south west of Denver, this impressive mountain is part of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range of the Rocky Mountains.

This was the first Colorado 14,000 foot mountain, or 14er as they're known, that I summited with class 5 climbing (technical climbing the rock face with a rope and climbing gear). It's also one of the most challenging adventures I've ever encountered in my life. There are so many memorable stories from this hike and climb, most of which will be kept between Levi and me. The photos look intense and they certainly capture the vibe of this experience. And I'd do it all over again tomorrow.