Xavia - Creative Pirate-Inventor!

Today ADC features Xavia  Creative Pirate Inventor! 

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us where you are originally from?

My name is Xavia, I was born in Englewood, Colorado but grew up in Littleton, Colorado. I guess that doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s been pretty cool.

What is it that you do?

I have been asking myself this question a lot lately. I think that beyond designing clothes or doing art. I am a creative pirate-inventor. I don’t specialize in any one thing; I think I almost specialize in how different creative projects can connect. I have done set design, photography, hair and makeup on top of making jewelry, clothing, art, etc. That involves an intense amount of little arts that all come together to make the whole project cohesive and create a mood. 

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue this?

I kind of started designing clothes as a little kid. I designed clothes for my dolls; I always thought about it as something all little girls did. Later on I regularly drew designs and made and altered my own clothes but again, never thought of it as a career. Around 2009 people started asking me to make them things similar to what I made for myself. Then 2 years later I started making clothing and taking pictures to mimic my 2D art.

What inspires you or who inspires you?

I enjoy the concept of decay. I would like my work to reflect the beauty that can be found in the constant decay and destruction of our environments. I also have a soft spot for carnivals, the supernatural and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. So I really like anything that mixes horror and the creepy pretty aesthetic. I am a huge Game of Thrones fan, my favorite; artist is DaVinci , Creative Mind is Tim Burton, Costume Designer is Colleen Atwood…And my favorite fashion designer is Alexander McQueen (Heart)

What gets you motivated to do what you do each day?

Getting to make stuff that is aesthetically pleasing! My daughter. The need to eat. And the potential that I can create and participate in making really beautiful projects with some really cool people. Oh plus I get bored, so there is ALWAYS something new to learn, or create. Plus taking over the world has to start somewhere Pinky. ;)

 What sort of problems do you run into doing this sort of career?

I think MY biggest problem is learning organization. To attempt a large project you need creative people, patrons or some kind of start up, in order to do that you need to advertise, to advertise you need some kind of start up or time invested. I have so many ideas, but having the means and time to really dig in and make them happen, well that is a story ANY creative can relate to. Larger projects require more time and more people. I think if money was no object I wouldn't be so creative and wouldn't have learned how to make so many things, So maybe there are no problems, only learning experiences.

 What are some of the biggest enjoyments or pleasures you find from doing what you do?

There is nothing better than learning how to do something new. Doing something you are passionate about is worth more than any paycheck. I could get doing something I hate or something that is mind melting boring. Sometimes I do mind melting boring things like color correction, and entering search keywords, but it’s worth it, because I can do it at 3 in the morning if I want to. 

 Do you have any advice to people that want to do what you do?

Just start now. And you will figure it out as you go. Don’t do anything JUST for the money; if you don’t love it, it’s not worth it. Unless, it’s ENOUGH money, a priceless experience, or just good practice. Be humble, but know your worth.

What is your favorite Denver Brewery or Denver Dispensary?

I am boring and don’t have a favorite Brewery OR Dispensary. I am also a Colorado native that has never been downhill skiing. I get yelled at all of the time for such non participatory shenanigans.

Who is your favorite Horror Film Character?

Oh man…that’s really difficult. I guess IT Pennywise the clown is pretty creepy… plus IT takes the form of whatever you fear… That’s scary.

 Do you have a favorite local band that you love to watch in concert?

Since I don’t get the chance to see a lot of local shows, I’m going to answer with the last local band whose show I went to, which was a band called Scavenger. They don’t play very often but if you get the chance to check them out live it’s totally worth it.

Where is your business located and where can we stalk you? 

I do everything out of my house; most of my business is done online and via the postal system. I have Facebook and Etsy pages that I update regularly.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/XXXavia & http://www.facebook.com/DiscerpoNectoDecrepitus

 I also have some of my merchandise at local boutiques like Spirit Wise and Luxe DeVil.

This entry was posted in 5280, alternatedecision, clothing, colorado, crafts, denver, dresses, etsy, facebook, fashion, girls, handmade, milehighcity, neverstop, sexy, smallbusiness, women

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Garett Reppenhagen - Coordinator for Vet Voice Foundation

Today ADC is featuring Garett Reppenhagen - Coordinator for Vet Voice Foundation.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us where you are originally from?
My name is Garett Reppenhagen and I served as a cavalry scout sniper for the US Army in Kosovo and Iraq. I grew up in a military family so I moved seven times before I was thirteen years old. My family was stationed in Ft Carson when I was tiny and when my father retired we moved back to the mountains. I went to Manitou Springs High and joined the service from Colorado. I lived in the state longer than any other, so I consider myself a local.

Could you give a brief history of yourself?
After dropping out of high school I traveled around and got into a lot of trouble. I was working three minimum wage jobs before deciding to join the military. While in Iraq I stopped believing in the mission there so a started an anti-war mil blog called “Fight To Survive (FTS)”. After an involuntary extension of my contract I was Honorably Discharged in 2005. I joined the anti-war movement and became a lead organizer in Iraq Veterans Against the War. I have been a veterans advocate and a social justice activist ever since.

What made you decide to work for Vet Voice Foundation?
 I helped start Veterans Green Jobs where which was a service organization with a mission to help veterans find jobs and training in the green economy. I built a conservation program called Veteran Green Corps and was putting hundreds of veterans into corps positions trail building and fighting forest fires. While with V.G.J, I was often asked if I could help on the policy side to support laws that would create more green initiatives and conserve land and water. When an opportunity for a job came up that focused on green policies I was excited to shift my tactics. I became a Coordinator for Vet Voice Foundation and have been at this job for two years now.

What sort of problems do you run into when you are doing your job?
 It is hard to work in the realm of politics. Despite the fact I don’t support elections and campaigns, I find that any issues I work on become partisan and need some congressional or senate support. I have to deal with decision makers that have hidden agendas and frequently lie about their intentions. To get common sense laws passed that the community supports is like pulling teeth and more often than not I work on initiatives for months only to have them dead end and die.

What are some of the biggest enjoyments or pleasures you find from doing this?
It’s great to be able to make a difference in issues I care about and plug veterans into campaigns that give them purpose again. I will be able to take my kids to Chimney Rock National Monument and tell them that I helped make sure it was protected by encouraging the President to use the Antiquities Act. I can see friends get jobs as Solar Panel installers and know that I have pass tax incentives to drive the clean energy economy. I can see the impact I have when I work on voting rights, immigration reform and civil union laws in my own neighborhood.

Do you have any advice to people that want to get into this?
Make sure you have the dedication. It is not just a job and it sometimes overtakes your life. You also have to be prepared to see the injustices and flaws in our political and social systems that most people can neglect and ignore.

What inspires you or who inspires you?
Social justice organizers are easy to admire. Everyone from Cesar Chavez to MLK. But, the friends I see every day making sacrifices for change are the ones that amaze me. People who are not paid to spend hours as an activist and work to develop smarter and more creative ways to build a movement.

I know that you are very busy man and you have a ton of ideas, what are some of the current things that are on your list to do over the next 2 years?
 I would like to see Climate Change become a something that is no longer a matter of debate. The incredible amount of scientific data and the overwhelming consequences are too much to ignore. I would like to see real laws that turn back pollution and make renewable energy affordable for everyone. Also, I think a complete revision of our tax system, election process, and fair economy needs to get overhauled. We need to take the occupy movement from the street into the court rooms.

What is your favorite Denver Brewery or local restaurant?
 I like Strange Brew and Renegade breweries. I try to support food trucks as much as I can. They are the best small businesses in Denver. I am a sucker for ice cream so I dip into Sweat Action too often.

Who is your favorite Horror Film Character? Jack from the Shining. Product of being over worked in a psycho place. I can identify.

Do you have a favorite local band that you love to watch in concert? 
I wrote a song for my friends in The Bouncing Souls called “Letter from Iraq” So I see them anytime they come around.

Where can we stalk you?
 Best place to catch me is at a Warm Cookies of the Revolution event. I am on the board of directors and it is a great activist community for civic change. We do events a few times a month at the McNichols Building, Buntport Theater or the Denver Art Museum.

Do you have any websites that you think people should check out? 
www.iraqveteransagainstthewar.org 
&
www.warmcookiesoftherevolution.org

This entry was posted in activist, advocate, alternatedecision, colorado, denver, greenjobs, inspire, iraq, politics, revolution, socialjustice, vet, veteran, vetvoice, warmcookiesfortherevolution

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Eddie Suicide - Lead Singer of Royal Dead

Today ADC is featuring Eddie Suicide
Born & Raised in Denver, CO.

Royal Dead - One of the best local Denver shows you will ever witness.

When did you first realize that you wanted to make music? 
It's always been a way for me to vent. I feel it's good to express yourself. I'm not good at talking, so I found myself hiding behind a guitar, but being able to tell one person how I felt even though I was talking to a crowd.


What inspires you or who inspires you?
I think my family is the main one, but growing up I wanted to be David Bowie, Billy Idol and Johnny Cash. I found what they did was fascinating. How they grabbed peoples attention and held it while they sang about heart ache and just told stories.


What gets you motivated to do what you do each day? 

Coffee.

What sort of problems do you run into doing this sort of career? 
Not enough touring. Its a huge part of being in a band and making music.

What are some of the biggest enjoyments or pleasures you find from doing what you do?Seeing people singing royal dead songs is the best thing when we play live. Somebody once told me they connected with one of our songs when they recently got out of a relationship. I been there before so I know what they were saying. I never thought somebody would say that about one of my songs.

Do you have any advice to people that want to do or get into what you do? 

Don't do it for the money, do it for your art to come to life and for the people who enjoy it. 

What is your favorite Denver Brewery?
TRVE

Who is your favorite Horror Film Character?

FRANKENSTEIN, because he was a monster that just wanted to be loved. 

Do you have a favorite local band that you love to watch in concert?
Wow that is a hard question to answer. Denver is full of so many great bands. I couldn't possibly pick just one. If I had to suggest to somebody I would tell them "go check out every band Denver has to offer, cause this city is bumpin with talent"

Where can we stalk you?  

www.royaldead.com

Twitter: @Royaldead

www.facebook.com/royaldead

Lastly do you want to give any shout outs to anyone?

To all that fight to give all of ourselves to our art and work. The Struggling artist, The blue collar workers with the blistered hands providing for their families.

This entry was posted in 303, 5280, alternatedecision, band, colorado, denver, hardworking, inspire, liveshow, metal, milehighcity, music, punk, rock, rockabilly, royaldead

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Vicki Francia - Full Time Medical Assistant and Part Time Model

Today ADC is featuring Vicki Francia originally from Reading, Massachusetts.

Vicki in our logo hat and our Supply & Demand top.

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue these two separate careers?

What made me decide to pursue this is that I am really into blood and guts, so I thought I would get into the medical field and as far as modeling I was always told I should model, so back when I was 15 my parents put me in a modeling school called John Casablancas and here I am!


What inspires you or who inspires you?

Any strong minded individual who stands up in what they believe in is what truly inspires me.

What gets you motivated to do what you do each day? 

What motivates me is knowing that I have a very mothering nature and I enjoy helping people. Weather it be having a conversation or drawing someone's blood to see why they haven't been feeling well internally.

What sort of problems do you run into doing this sort of career? 

One big problem in career is finding a good job. It is very hard to find a job as a medical assistant.

Do you have any advice to people that want to do or get into what you do? 

Some advice that I would give is never turn something you are passionate about into a "job" keep it fun and every day is completely different from the last day. 

What is your favorite Denver Brewery?


I haven't been to many, but Trve or Black Sky.

Who is your favorite Horror Film Character?

Carrie 

Where is your business located and where can we stalk you?  

www.vickifrancia.com

Instagram: @vickifrancia

www.facebook.com/vickifranciamodel

Lastly do you want to give any shout outs to anyone?

Of course my awesome Mom & Dad 

This entry was posted in 303, 5280, alternatedecision, alternativemodel, clothing, colorado, denver, girls, inked, inkedgirl, inspiration, Instyle, Karmaloop, medical, milehighcity, model, sexy, shirts, smart, tattoos

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April Rosetta - Hairstylist at Luxe DeVil Salon

Today ADC is featuring April Rosetta originally from right here in Denver, CO. 

Click on image to make larger

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue this career? 

I've always been the one to do my friends hair, but what really got me into it was mortuary science. I went to school for hair, because a lot of funeral homes were looking for people to have beauty experience as well. I was going to do hair to put me through mortuary science, but I completely fell in love with doing hair on the living that I decided to stay put. There’s nothing like making someone feel beautiful and I really love what I do. I pretty much get to paint on a live canvas all day.

What sort of problems do you run into doing this type career? 

 The biggest problems I face is my body. Its a very demanding job. My shoulder kills me, my back is pissed every day, I have tendentiousness and carpel tunnel starting. I’m on my feet for at least 8 hours a day. However I’m not made for a “office” job. I don’t like to sit still all day. (Unless its my day off) 

What are some of the biggest enjoyments you find from doing what you do?

 I love making people feel beautiful. I love when I see someone walk out with their head held higher. I also get the chance to be artistic with hair.

Do you have any advice to people that want to do or get into what you do? 

Love what you do. If you don’t love it this is not for you. You will have times you feel like a starving artist but stick with it, hustle, get your name out there and produce excellent work and it will all pay off. Always educate yourself. You will never stop learning. 

Who or what inspires you?
Everyone inspires me. My clients, other hairstylists/barbers. Most of all my son, Vincent. He inspires me to do my best, so I can provide him with the best. I love my unemployed roommate so much. He is my rock.

What do you love most about Denver?  
I love the mountains. The sunsets are beautiful with the mountains. Fall here is also very pretty and the people here are pretty laid back, downtown I like, because there is people from all walks of life. 

What is your favorite Denver Brewery or Bar?

One of my favorites is sobo 151. Drinks are awesome and food is great! 

Who is your favorite Horror Film Character?

Oh! To many to say but some of my top ones are pinhead, Freddy, Samara, firefly clan, Dracula, and my own dreams. 

Do you have a favorite local band that you love to watch in concert? 
I loved the bloody fives, native daughters, widows bane. Haven’t been to a local show in a while, so I’m not sure who is all out there right now.

Where is your business located and where can we stalk you?
Luxe DeVil Salon is located at 657 Santa Fe Drive in the Art District. 303-953-9486. You can stalk me at
https://www.facebook.com/aprilrosettahair

Do you have any sweet deals for the readers?

I offer deals and discounts on my facebook page, so go give that a “like” message me on the page and mention Alternate Decision and I’ll give 10% off!

Lastly do you want to give any shout outs to anyone?

I’ll give a shout out to my LDV crew, you guys rock! My Tawyna, My hetero life mate Jess and the most excellent person ever on this planet. Mr Vincent Price, my unemployed roommate and son.

This entry was posted in 303, 5280, alternatedecision, beautiful, color, colorado, denver, Girls, Guys, hair, inspiration, Instyle, Men, milehighcity, neverquit, neverstop, sexy, small business, stylist, Women

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