On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with the creator behind Ope Outdoors to talk about his journey to building a creative brand in St. Louis.
He shares how studying chemistry led to a career he didn’t love, and how picking up a camera changed everything. What started as a creative outlet turned into photography, video work, and eventually Ope Outdoors, a brand inspired by the Midwest and the outdoors.
We talk about building a business from scratch, finding a unique visual style, and learning through trial and error. He also opens up about pitching his brand to retailers, facing rejection, and staying consistent.
The conversation highlights how Ope Outdoors has grown beyond apparel into a community-focused brand, hosting cleanups and bringing people together across St. Louis.
From creative risk to real impact, this episode is full of insight for anyone building something of their own.
They discuss:
- Transitioning from a chemistry career to creativity
- Starting and growing Ope Outdoors
- Photography, video, and creative style
- Turning content into a business
- Learning from rejection and taking risks
- Building community through outdoor events
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🎙 New episodes drop every Wednesday.
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🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://apple.co/36ycuuO Spotify ▶ https://spoti.fi/3svGoqS
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📍 Recorded at Bucket List Podcast Studio, St. Louis, MO
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_03 (00:00):
So you walked in and you got rejected at all?
SPEAKER_02 (00:02):
Okay.
Yeah, all six of them, yeah.
Imagine like months of justprepping hype and like, all
right, I'm here first one.
I just drove seven seven hoursfor this.
Yeah, totally unenthusiastic,hard no.
SPEAKER_01 (00:17):
If you wanna hear about St.
Louis, tune into the bucket listshow weekly.
Hear what Marissa and Luke say.
It drops every Wednesday, got adope new guest every single
week.
Buckle up for the ride.
Who's it gonna be?
Who's on the show today?
They rap St.
Louis.
What to do in the loo on a latenight?
(00:38):
I maybe what to do on a datenight.
Yeah.
Bucket list as you covered, thenknow what's going on.
What's going on?
They'll give you 18 differentthings to do on 19.
If you need one more to choose,yeah.
This city, city, city is a placewe call home.
A place we call home.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (00:55):
St.
Louis, welcome back to anotherepisode of the STL bucket list
show.
We've been recording thispodcast for over four years.
Just got a Facebook memory whenwe launched in March of 2022.
Our first episode with BrockSeals.
200 plus episodes later, we'vebeen putting out shows each and
every week, highlighting thepeople, places, and events that
make St.
Louis special.
Somebody that I've connectedwith for a long time.
(01:16):
We've ran into each other.
I've done stuff with you.
You've been at markets.
I felt like I've seen you like ahundred times.
SPEAKER_02 (01:21):
Yeah, dude.
I see you all around St.
Louis.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (01:23):
Um, so we got Juno in the studio.
It's hard to introduce youbecause we were talking before
the show, but I know Juno fromOpe Outdoors.
I know you as a really sickphotographer creator.
Um, I know you from podcasting,from videos on that you do on
Instagram.
You've done so many differentthings.
So when you introduce yourself,what do you say you do?
SPEAKER_02 (01:42):
You know, it's kind of a hard thing to answer.
I usually it depends on who I'mtalking to.
Yeah.
So in this particular sense,yeah, I do I run a business
called Ope Outdoors, and I'm aphotographer slash creator, is
what I go by.
That's simple.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
So tell me how you got.
Well, actually, let's talk aboutSt.
Louis a little bit.
For sure.
How what is St.
Louis home to you?
Tell me about the story of St.
Louis, kind of where you grewup, what led you to this?
SPEAKER_02 (02:05):
Sure.
So I was I'm African.
I was born in Zambia.
Uh, we moved here when I waslike six, and we lived all
around.
And then the way it is as animmigrant, you like kind of kind
of moved to where people youknow people.
So we had um family friends thatlived on the Illinois side.
So I lived on the Illinois sidewhen I was like 10, and then we
(02:26):
just moved over to St.
Louis, lived in St.
Louis up until I was like13-ish, and then our visas
expired.
So I moved to Hillsborough,Missouri, where we had another
family friend while my parentswent back um to Zambia.
And then I was looking at placesto go to college.
So I went back, I came back toSt.
Louis and went to Slough.
And then I've kind of stayed inSt.
(02:46):
Louis since college.
SPEAKER_03 (02:47):
What was that moment like when you were so from six
to 13?
You had seven years.
That was basically your wholewhat you remember was always in
the Midwest.
Yeah.
But then, like, what was thatmoment like when the visa did
expire and you had to move toHillsboro?
Was that a culture shock for youat 13 years old?
Because I know Hillsboro.
Yeah, you do.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
It was it was culture shock.
Um, you know, I was like theonly black dude there, but like
they're nice people.
Yeah.
And it's weird because it's likeHillsboro is only 45 minutes-ish
away from St.
Louis.
But when you get there, it'slike everyone's wearing cowboy
boots, cowboy hats, you know,everyone's on a farm kind of so
the vibe is definitelydifferent, but honestly, really
(03:25):
good people, really nice people,and I really had like a good
time there in Hillsboro.
SPEAKER_03 (03:29):
So during that, like during your teenage years, like
you were kind of likediscovering, you know, what you
wanted to be.
Was there something like duringthat time like that you were
passionate about?
What you were always creative,or was were you?
SPEAKER_02 (03:39):
No, not really.
I mean, I guess I was, I justdidn't really know it.
I really loved playing soccerand I liked chemistry, so I went
to school for chemistry.
So I thought I was just gonna bea scientist or whatever.
I wasn't really sure, maybe likechemical engineering.
I didn't really know what Iwanted to do.
But after going to school forchemistry and graduating, I was
just kind of like over all ofthat.
SPEAKER_04 (04:00):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (04:01):
And I've, you know, I just decided I want to do
something more fun.
So I picked up a camera, startedtaking pictures.
That was really fun to me.
And then when it came time, Iwas working in labs all the
time, and it was just kind oflike I s I got the creative
itch.
And it just when you're in a labis like the most uncreative
thing to do.
You're like literally justtesting to make sure something
(04:21):
is what it is.
So I decided, you know, I Ireally wanted to pursue business
as well.
So I started learning aboutlike, you know, like graphics
and whatever.
So started the merch thing, andthen taking photos, and then I
really liked video and thenstarted making videos.
So it was just kind of a naturalthing for me, I think.
SPEAKER_03 (04:39):
First community credit union is the official
banking partner of STLBucketless.
They've been serving St.
Louis families for 90 plus yearswith 40 plus local branches and
over 400,000 members frompersonal credit loans to
mortgages to kids and teenaccounts.
They also have a partnershipwith the STL Blues.
You see, Louie here if you'rewatching on YouTube.
Uh, we're proud to use FirstCommunity.
I use it for my own family andmy own business.
(05:01):
Um, we're excited for them to bethe official banking partner of
STL Bucket list.
Yeah, and it's like full roundedcreative because you're putting
real things into the world withthe apparel, but then you're
also like creating timelessimages.
And I love your style.
So, like, do you have like areason why that's your style?
Or like, because I feel like,and I don't even know what to
call it, but like you have thisdistinct whether it's the camera
(05:22):
lens that you shoot with, thewhite border that you always put
around your photos, right?
The color, like the overbrightness and exposure, like
you like bright sun, you know.
I mean, I don't know.
SPEAKER_02 (05:31):
I I I guess I get a lot of inspiration from old
stuff.
Yeah, I feel like back thenpeople just took a lot a lot of
care in what they made.
Yeah.
So a lot of that old stuff islike really vibrant and has a
lot of character.
So that's kind of where myinspiration comes from is like
older films, the color grade onthose older films.
Like, and I I think maybe I'mjust a bubbly person, maybe, but
(05:54):
I I really like color.
So like when when I when I'mlooking at this old stuff, I I
see it as very colorful too.
There's a lot of texture andcolor, and they're not afraid to
be bold with like graphics andall these different things.
And I feel like our societynowadays is way more bland and a
lot more like almost calculatedin their art or presentation.
(06:14):
So I like throwing it back tothat kind of stuff just because
it's a little bit older, alittle bit like funky, groovy
kind of stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (06:20):
Yeah, and then that really kind of leads into you
know really what you're doingnow.
So what what's your dailyshooter?
What was your first camera?
SPEAKER_02 (06:28):
Oh, my first camera was a uh Canon T I 6 Ti, or I
forget what it is, T6i.
Yeah.
Uh and then I moved over to umcan or I moved over to the
mirrorless, so I startedshooting on a Can R6.
Yeah.
And then I ran that for a while,and then I started getting into
like filmmaking and um video.
(06:49):
So then I bought a black magic,okay, which are I love the black
magic, the color great, like thecolor science, everything is
great.
And they're affordable, so itwas a little bit cheaper.
So that was my first filmcamera, was a black magic, and
now um, so Nikon just boughtred.
I don't know if you know aboutred, they're like a camera brand
was like film.
So Nikon just bought red, andthey just introduced their
(07:11):
newest like cinema hybridcamera.
So I I bought it.
It's the Nikon ZR.
So it's like it shoot and itshoots red codec.
So you can, yeah, so you cancolor grade just like kind of
like a red, but it's also like aNikon camera at the same time.
It's pretty sexy.
So it's got like the upgradedfeatures that you need and stuff
like that.
And it's portable.
So yeah, I'm like going aroundtown all the time on my bike or
(07:32):
whatever.
So I have that.
I can put it in my pocket, Icould put it in my backpack and
just whip it out.
SPEAKER_03 (07:36):
That's what you're doing a lot of your like
neighborhood videos with correctcamera now.
SPEAKER_02 (07:39):
It used to be a black magic and it was a pain
because the black magic is kindof big and I had a big old lens
on it.
Yeah, and that was kind of ahassle, but now I just got a
little tiny thing.
SPEAKER_03 (07:47):
And then you kind of like when I first met you, you
were using like this really oldlens.
Is that do you still have thatlens?
SPEAKER_02 (07:53):
I do, yeah.
That's funny you remember that.
Yeah, um, I still I have a bunchof these old lenses.
I was kind of into I'm stillinto that, but it's hard to
focus like now that I'm doingthings a lot quicker, yeah.
It's a lot hard, like those oldlenses, which are great and
amazing, they have like theygive character to a lot of the
can't like the shoots you'retaking.
But they're you know, it's allmanual focus.
So it just they take a lot oftime to like get focused right,
(08:16):
and some of them are just likefinicky.
So I'm when you're running andgunning shit like this, it
doesn't make sense.
Yeah, it's that kind of stuff.
I do still use them, but justfor like more like personal
stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (08:26):
Yeah.
So if we're talking St.
Louis, like is there somebodythat like was was pivotal in
your journey?
Like, is there any like peoplethat you look up to in the
creative world that kind ofhelped you get into it, or like
somebody you met early in yourjourney?
SPEAKER_02 (08:37):
No, I did I just remember or like early
Instagram.
I don't know if you rememberthis, it was just like you could
see you would see like a wholebunch of photos of like back in
like 2018, 2017.
Yeah, second try, like all thesethose be people like you just
see their stuff post it up.
And then yeah, I'd followed abunch of those accounts, the St.
Louis Graham account.
Yeah.
Um, and it was great.
You just see all these creators,and it inspired me really to
(09:00):
pick up the camera and juststart exploring.
SPEAKER_04 (09:02):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (09:03):
For over 150 years, SSM Health has been providing
hope, healing, and opportunitiesto the St.
Louis community with over 40,000employees across four states.
They're not only deliveringexceptional care, they're one of
the region's largest employers,shaping the future of
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We're proud to present SSMHealth as the official
healthcare partner of the STLbucket list show.
If you've dreamed of a careerwhere you're truly making a
(09:24):
difference every day, SSM Healthcan help you take that to the
next step.
Learn more at their website inthe link in the show notes.
So, like that, and that that'swhy I think like your stuff is
distinctly you.
Like when you, if you guys go tohis page, um, you know, it's uh,
you know, I'll drop that in thecomments.
But, you know, you have thisunique color, this unique, you
know, even just yourpersonality, like you are doing
(09:46):
things that not a lot of peoplein St.
Louis are doing, and I'm gladthat you're starting to get
recognition from it.
But how did this lead intoentrepreneurship?
Because when you first picked upthe camera, you were probably
still working in your regularjob, or probably, you know, so
what made you take that leapinto starting your own brand
with Ope Outdoors, selling yourservices?
Like, you know, what was thatlike when you got paid the first
time to shoot photos?
(10:07):
Oh, dude, I don't I don't know.
SPEAKER_02 (10:09):
It's uh as an entrepreneur, I mean, I I guess
I've always been an entrepreneurin the sense like I used to sell
like candy in school and likemow lawns and all that kind of
stuff.
And like I said, I went back toscience and it's just not the
same.
I I like the freedomentrepreneurship gives you.
So I used to play a lot ofsoccer um and I hurt my knee.
So I started hiking a lot.
(10:30):
And at the same time, uh, like alot of my college friends moved
out west, and there were, youknow, I went and visited and go
went hiking at the nationalparks and all other cool places.
And I noticed that they had likebrands there that rec
represented those places andthat were like kind of cool and
like interesting.
And at the same time, you know,I was really frustrated at work
just because work was work and Iwasn't feeling creative.
(10:52):
I felt like I had no autonomy,no freedom.
Right.
So at the same time that washappening, I was like, you know
what?
Maybe I could start like anoutdoor brand or something here
because I was hiking here inMissouri and we have some pretty
cool places, and I didn't seeany shirts that represented
them, so I was like, you know,maybe I could make something.
So that was kind of how openoutdoors started.
And then at the same time, likewith the photography, I was
(11:13):
seeing all these people onInstagram.
I started shooting myself, andalso I needed to take photos of
like my merch and like thebranding for the op outdoor
stuff.
So I started doing that, andthen at the same time, I was
like, I think I could kind ofmake money shooting photos for
other people.
So that was kind of a naturalthing.
I was like, Well, I kind of needmoney.
SPEAKER_03 (11:32):
So sometimes I use the money that I make from the
photo shoots to get some merchstuff, and it kind of like I
remember the first time I evergot paid to do like any work
outside of like a regular job,and it was$50.
And I made I was making prettygood money at my regular job,
but for some reason that$50changed my life.
It hit my life, like it was afreaking cash app, dude, and it
was like my cash app said likeboom, and it was for I sold a
(11:55):
post to somebody on STL bucketlist, and I only had like 12,000
followers at that time, but likesomebody just paid me 50 bucks,
and I literally grabbed thepicture, wrote the caption, and
in two minutes I made$50.
And I was like, dude, this wasthis is it.
Amazing.
I was like, this is it.
Yeah, and then I just went hamon that.
And that's probably when you sawthat clip of me when I was like,
dude, I want to go all in onthis.
Yeah.
And that was before contentcreators were like influenced.
(12:16):
Like, I I don't even like to usethe word influencers because
like we're I'm a business owner,like we're creating real
business, we're creating realimpact.
But at the end of the day, we'reinfluencing and we have this
following and this community.
But how do you turn thatcommunity into an actual
business that employs people,you know, and creatives?
And everybody here gets to workcreatively, you know, and that's
the dream.
Right.
You know, and that's why webuilt this studio, and you know,
and that's why I'm glad to haveyou on because I've we've just
(12:39):
ran with each other in all thesedifferent circles, and it's
like, why haven't we not hadthis conversation on the
podcast?
Truly.
Um, what are you excited aboutright now?
I mean, obviously spring'scoming up.
Like, what are some things thatyou're looking forward to?
SPEAKER_02 (12:48):
Dude, a farmers market is coming up on Saturday,
and it's the best time ever.
Um, this is my third season atthe market with Ope Outdoors.
I'm really excited this timebecause I'm doing like some St.
Louis merch that you've probablyseen.
So I'm excited for that.
And also we're coming up with aum uh spring collection as well.
So I don't know, the the energyat the farmers market is just so
(13:11):
awesome.
So really pumped for that.
SPEAKER_03 (13:13):
If you close your eyes for, you know, and looked
looked ahead five years, what doyou what what would a day in the
life look like for you?
Like what are what are some ofthose things that you want in
your life over the next fiveyears?
SPEAKER_02 (13:24):
The next five years, you know specifically, I I'd
like obviously to be run runningmy business full time.
Um, but I I I don't want to beconventional in that sense.
I want to have I still want toride my bike around and still
make these videos.
Yeah.
So the way I guess the way I seeit is if I can break it out my
(13:46):
days into like partially Opeoutdoors, partially like some
filmmaking, photography, andthen some form of exercise, you
know, that's kind of like themost ideal day for me.
SPEAKER_03 (13:57):
Yeah, if you broke it into three.
So, like your ideal day, youknow, wake up, do some admin
work for OPE, go to the gym, andthen shoot some content in the
afternoon.
SPEAKER_02 (14:04):
Right.
So creativity, business, andthen exercise.
That's kind of like my perfectday.
SPEAKER_00 (14:09):
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SPEAKER_03 (14:49):
Um, so I want to talk about STL for a little bit.
So, you know, obviously you grewup on the Illinois side, you
know, spent some time at SLU.
STL is your home now.
For sure.
What are some of those bucketlist spots that you love in St.
Louis?
So when we're looking at a dayin the life, like what's that
coffee spot that you love?
What's that lunch spot that youlove?
When friends come in town,because you probably got friends
that come in town and like whatare those spots you're taking
(15:09):
them?
Because you want to show offyour city.
Yeah, you know, and I bet youyou ride your bike everywhere,
so I know you got some spots.
SPEAKER_02 (15:14):
Dude, so many good spots.
Okay, so in the morning, we gottwo spots that I really like for
maybe three.
Three spots I really like for uhbreakfast, coffee, and just
hanging out.
Uh Felhad Fern, I used to liveon Russell, and I was there
while they were building thatspot, and you know, Darcy does
an amazing job, great spot.
And then down the street, um,damn fine hand pies, also
(15:37):
awesome.
Great donuts, good vibes.
And then coffee stamp over onJefferson.
That's a staple.
Love them.
Empanadas and Patrick's a homie.
The empanadas are crazy, right?
It goes so high.
SPEAKER_03 (15:48):
He's so underrated.
I mean, I feel like people know.
If you know, you know, but likehe needs to get a little bit
more recognition.
So I'm glad you're 100%.
He's like, dude, stuff is onfire there.
SPEAKER_02 (15:55):
Coffee stamp, the goat.
Um, lunchtime.
I don't know.
I like I'm usually asleep duringlunchtime, to be honest.
Yeah.
But uh, ideal spot, Tower GrovePark.
Hit up Talegrove Park.
Um, I know we have a lot of goodsandwich sandwich spots up in
the hill, uh, Blue City, Delhifor sure.
Um, there's a spot over by whereProfield Reserve used to be.
(16:16):
I can't remember the name of thesandwich up right next door.
Yeah.
Elaine's.
Elaine's.
Eileen's, something like that.
Eileen's something like that.
Yeah, right next door.
Great sandwiches there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:24):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (16:24):
And then Cherokee Street, if you're feeling like
tacos, all those spots are ElTorino, best taco spot, uh,
right next to the uh grocerystore.
And then if the evening's comingaround, um, just down the
street, Sippy, I like do gettingsome work done there.
Um, TikTok Tavern, I like thatspot.
(16:44):
Uh Grand Spirits.
Or not Grand Spirits anymore,Monstera.
SPEAKER_04 (16:49):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (16:49):
Uh downstairs.
You guys used to hell highlighton there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:52):
I haven't been yet.
I've the new speaking.
Yeah, yeah.
That dude's a gangster too.
Like his uh I love Miss Cal andlike those types of spirits and
agave, and like he's got aMike's the man.
SPEAKER_02 (17:01):
Mike's the man, absolutely the man.
And the staff there too, Bear Umand Chris, homies.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (17:07):
Uh what else?
I like it.
Seems like to from what I'mhearing, is you like these
unique operators.
You tie the operator to thebusiness.
Because you've just beenshouting out each operator.
Yeah, and I feel like you kindof have to or staff that's
there.
SPEAKER_02 (17:20):
Right, exactly.
Because they make the space.
Yeah.
They're the ones making thedecisions.
Like when you have any evenwalking in here, yeah, there's
so many decisions you had tomake to make this place the the
vibe that it is.
Right.
And I feel like the operatorsare kind of like, you know, the
architects of the vibe.
So for sure.
And we have so many of good oneshere.
SPEAKER_04 (17:39):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (17:39):
Like yeah.
So um places, other places tohang.
Um, I like um for activities.
What's good for activities?
I guess let's talk, let's shiftto parks.
Yeah, parks.
SPEAKER_03 (17:52):
Hey, what's that?
What's the STL book?
I know it's hard because they'reall your babies and you got you
got merged, but like what's thattrail or what's that hike that
like that first hike that madeyou be like, man, Missouri has,
you know, you know, he greatentry point always.
SPEAKER_02 (18:05):
Um, Castlewood.
We actually just did a cleanupthere this past Sunday, which
was awesome.
Yeah, but Castlewood is a goodentryway because it has
everything.
You have like a big old hike upto see like the cliff, to see
the Merrimack, which is cool.
And then you go down the stairsand it's kind of like uh kind of
like like a forest-y kind ofthing.
(18:26):
Um, so Castlewood's great.
My favorite park is Hawn StatePark, which is over in St.
Genevieve.
Um, they have these big oldpines, it feels like you're in
like Washington.
It's pretty cool.
And then right next to that ismy second favorite park, is
Pickle Springs, which is onlylike 20 minutes.
You could probably knock both ofthem out the same uh same day.
And Pickle Springs is cool justbecause it's also you get these
(18:46):
giant big old rocks, and thenlike you have a whole bunch of
trees and there's a creek.
It's just cool.
SPEAKER_04 (18:52):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (18:52):
So Ope Outdoors, like you guys are way more than
just apparel, like you guys dothese cleanups.
So what made you kind of jumpinto the cleanups?
Is that just something that kindof struck you as like, hey, we
can make a little, we can make abig you're actually making a way
bigger impact than you probablythought, you know, with these
cleanups.
And when you first started, I'msure only a couple people showed
up, and now it's it's like twopeople.
SPEAKER_02 (19:08):
I started because we started I started first like in
2020.
So we had a decent crowd come tothe first one, and then the
pandemic happened.
So then we were doing these likevirtual kind of things where
it's like clean up in yourneighborhood, and then it was
like the social distancing ruleskind of changed a little bit,
and then like two people showedup to a cleanup, and then it was
(19:29):
like four people, then fivepeople.
This past one we had almost 40people, which is kind of crazy
to say.
Wow, yeah.
But um the wh why I started themwas because as a you know, as a
business owner, like at first Ithink it's all about it's kind
of all about you, what like whatyou want to do, your freedom and
all that.
And if I I think somethinghappens, or eventually, if
(19:50):
you're like searching formeaning or anything, you step
outside yourself a little bit.
And I think as you're doingright now with your team and all
the things highlighting St.
Louis, it's not just about LucasLucas anymore, it's about you
know, the people, the city, theuh all those things.
So I kind of I kind of wanted tobuild a business around around
something more meaningful thanjust myself or just selling
t-shirts.
(20:11):
Exactly.
And it feels it feels like umthe cleanup stuff was just kind
of you know, it just made senseto start with something like
that.
SPEAKER_03 (20:19):
Um you're building community too, you're getting to
see your customers, you know,because I'm sure a lot of those
people started as customersfirst and now they're cleaning
up, or they may not have everbeen a customer, they just want
to be a part of cleaning upthese parks, and regardless,
it's it doesn't matter, youknow.
It's like it's probably fun foryou to get together with 40
people and become friends withthem.
Like I just Ricky from Run Crewwas on here last week.
He's it's gonna be coming outnot this week, but next week.
(20:41):
Uh it'll be coming out the weekbefore this episode.
So you guys are probably alreadyheard it.
But you know, Ricky was talkingabout, you know, how 200 people
showed up to his 314-day run,but the first day, nobody showed
up, you know, and it's like itreally takes, and a lot of those
things is just building andbuilding.
And now at the marathon, in theSt.
Louis marathon, they're gonnahave like 200 plus people
wearing run crew bibs or bibs, Idon't know if that's what you
(21:03):
call it, whatever they'recalled.
Yeah, whatever they're called,but it's like he's built
something, yeah.
You know, and and you'rebuilding something with OPE.
So was there an aha moment inthe journey?
Was that like getting it into aretail store, or was that like,
was there a certain moment whereyou're like, dude, this is like
really starting to become abrand, not just a side hustle?
SPEAKER_02 (21:18):
There were two, yeah, two distinct moments.
Uh, the first one was thefarmer's market, because that
was the first time I had reallylike interacted with the
customers.
Yeah.
Because I do it mostly online,or I did mostly online.
So I never really gotten anyfeedback from anybody.
I'd see sales coming in here andthere, but you know, there's no
real connection there.
It's very transactional.
(21:39):
Right.
And then yeah, the farmer'smarket.
It's like, yeah, I've beenfollowing your brand for two
years, three years, or whatever.
I really love this.
And then you hear stories abouthow I'd go there, I'd go to this
park with my dad since I waslike five years old, and he hit
his dad took him here.
And you hear all these differentstories, and like it feels more
tangible as a business.
Yeah.
So that was number one.
(22:00):
Number two was when I got intoREI and towning country.
Um, that was just like, oh,that's interesting.
Like, yeah, they reached out tome and they they they also
followed the brand and they werelike really interested in the
shirts, and that was kind ofvalidating for me because you
know, as I was just selling atthe markets, I do most of the
stuff just in my house.
You know, I'm not like a big oldbrand or anything like that yet.
(22:21):
Yes.
But but yeah, that was kind ofthose were two validating, and
now I'm at Brentwood, and youknow, it feels like it's doing
really well there.
They're ordering all the time,and people see the shirts there
and always like, yeah, I sawyour shirt.
They are yeah, I'm like, oh hellyeah, that's cool.
SPEAKER_03 (22:34):
The STL bucket list show is proudly sponsored by
Suede Dispensary with 11Missouri area locations.
Suede does so much for the St.
Louis community.
We've been working with thisteam for a couple years back
since Medical was here, andwe're excited to support their
new product launches, events,and community initiatives.
We couldn't be happier to workwith this premier cannabis
brand, and we're excited forthem to sponsor the show.
(22:56):
Enjoy the rest of the podcast.
So I watched this Instagramstory that you did, and I was
like following along for thewhole time.
I've never even told you this,but like it was when you went to
Ohio like on some sales shit,and you were like, Let me go
sell some stuff.
And I've been in that exactmoment before where like I was
at a reflection point in mybusiness, and I've been like,
okay, I need to go sellsomething to someone today.
(23:17):
And you went out to Ohio andlike went and cold.
Yeah.
Like didn't call, like youprobably tried to call him or
tried to email him.
I didn't even try that.
So you walked in and you gotrejected at all?
Yeah, all six of them.
Yeah.
So tell me about tell me howthat made you feel because that
is the epitome of being anentrepreneur, is getting told no
and still keep going.
So tell me about that day.
(23:37):
And I was fine.
I never even told you that, butI really liked that.
That was a cool story that youdid.
I didn't like that you gotrejected six times, but I was
like, I've been there.
It was relatable.
SPEAKER_02 (23:45):
Yeah, I took a week off work and I was like, uh
because my whole idea with Opeis like I want it to be a
Midwest brand.
Because I feel like this is notjust a Missouri thing.
I think it's a Midwest.
I think we're always lookedelsewhere for all those things.
Anyway, yes.
So I went to Ohio.
I was like, you know what?
I'm just gonna rip it.
Go to Ohio, go to all the REIsthere, and then pitch pitch the
brand.
It's doing well with these REIshere.
(24:07):
Um, I figured, why not just takea take a trip, go visit Ohio and
hook those places up.
And yeah, the first I drove, Iremember because I I drove into
Cleveland.
I mean, I flew into Clevelandand then I rented a car, and
then I drove all the way down toHawking Hills and I went to the
first one, which is like sevenhours.
So I drove the first one, I washyped.
(24:29):
I was like, there's no waythey're gonna say no.
I I made specific Ohio merch forme just for the cold meaning to
him, yeah.
For the him who just give themout and be like, you know,
whatever.
He showed the first one,unenthusiastic.
Total.
And I was imagine like months ofjust prep and hype, and like,
all right, I'm here for firstone.
Just drove seven seven hours forthis.
(24:49):
Yeah, totally unenthusiastic,hard no.
Um, and that was kind ofdemoralizing at first.
And then I kind of made my wayaround Ohio.
I think they have five are guys,five or six.
So I drove around and I gotbetter at my sales pitch.
The first one I just kind ofshowed up with stuff and I was
like, hey, what's going on?
Can I get these here in yourstore?
When can I get them?
How many do you want?
It was a little different.
(25:10):
And then I developed my salespitch as I went along, but like
some of them were maybe, some ofthem are no's, flat out no's,
two flat out no's.
One of them actually justreached out to me, the one in
Cleveland.
Um, and they I have someone Iwork with in Cleveland that
helps me with group hikes thereand whatever.
And I sent them some merch, somaybe I might be in Cleveland
(25:30):
soon.
So I got a kind of that was kindof a warm one, and then just
literally maybe a couple weeksago, they reached out and they
might want to carry some stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (25:38):
So this episode is sponsored by Upshot Coffee,
three St.
Louis area locations inCottleville, Break Shop in St.
Charles, and their new hi-filocation in Clayton.
I personally use Upshot Coffeeevery day at my espresso machine
at home, and I try to visit oneof the shops at least once a
week.
They source the beansresponsibly from local farms all
across the world, um, and theytake care of their staff and
(25:58):
they take care of the community.
Let's get back to the show.
What did you learn from thatthough?
Like what what like what wasyour mindset when you were
driving home?
SPEAKER_02 (26:06):
Uh, you know, it it's one of those where it's
like, you know, as anentrepreneur, you you you it's
like you miss all the shots youdon't take or whatever that
saying is.
And like I learned somethingregardless of whether or not I
got the yes.
And I think to me, that thatkind of it also showed me a
(26:28):
little bit of resilience.
Like I didn't really loseanything.
There was nothing really tolose.
Like it's it's such a leveragingthing just to ask because
there's always upside.
The only downside, there wasreally no downside.
The no was already a no if Inever had approached.
Exactly.
So there was only upside in meeven going there.
Now building relationship, andyou know, eventually, maybe if
(26:51):
this one gets into Cleveland, Ihave all the emails of all the
other ones for all the other,you know, REIs.
SPEAKER_03 (26:56):
So it's like, you know, it's it, I don't think you
ever really lose because you'rejust learning something.
SPEAKER_04 (27:01):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (27:02):
And it takes that, man.
Like it it really does taketime.
And there's people that I'vetalked to four years ago that
are finally becoming customersnow.
And it's like it does geteasier, but it there's different
challenges, you know, whenyou're building in your mode,
when you're by yourself and likeeverything's on you, you have
all that pressure, but you alsodon't have the pressure of other
people failing with you.
So, like, that's a differentpressure, but also they relieve
(27:25):
a lot of things and they'rebetter, they're better at a lot
of things than you are.
Like there, you have to be realwith yourself and be like, what
am I good at?
What am I excited about?
What am I doing?
And then how can I, how can I,you know, delegate the things
that don't make me excited andthen focus on the things that do
make you excited.
So I want to wrap up with somerapid fire, open outdoor style.
Sure.
So I'm gonna I'm gonna read yousome questions.
(27:46):
We're just gonna fire them off.
So sunrise or sunset hike?
Sunset hike.
Sunset hike.
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (27:52):
Uh sunset hike, go up to Castlewood.
Short, quick, uh, go up the hilland then sit on that bench and
uh watch this miss watch thesunset as the Mississippi is
flown by.
Midwest spring or midwest fall?
SPEAKER_03 (28:05):
Midwest spring, spring all day, baby.
It's because it's spring now.
That's right.
Uh, favorite trail within 10minutes of St.
Louis.
Is there a good one?
Within 10 minutes.
SPEAKER_02 (28:16):
Forrest Park, I don't know the names of some of
these trails, but Forest Parkhas some crazy trails.
Yeah.
Music, podcast, or silence ontrail.
Silence, you gotta think.
Silence.
You gotta think.
unknown (28:27):
Nah.
SPEAKER_02 (28:28):
I sometimes it depends on how long the trail
is.
If it's a long, long, windytrail, podcast.
Okay.
Or book.
Audiobook or podcast.
If it's just like a 30-minutething, silence, baby.
Bucket list trail you haven'tbeen to yet.
But in Missouri?
Anywhere.
Oh, anywhere?
Yeah.
I really want to go to Alaska.
I don't know, like, I I I forgetwhat like what parks, but Alaska
(28:51):
looks awesome.
I want to go visit Alaska.
It's awesome.
SPEAKER_03 (28:54):
Um, go uh coffee before or after hike?
Before.
Before, baby.
Before and after?
SPEAKER_02 (29:01):
And after both.
Let's get it.
SPEAKER_03 (29:02):
Go to white monster.
Give me some.
And white monster.
Uh, and then to wrap up, go tosnack after hiking.
Go to snack.
You're a workout guy too.
SPEAKER_02 (29:12):
I am.
I love a good beef jerky.
Give me a beef jerky and a likea power raid.
SPEAKER_03 (29:16):
I'm rolling, baby.
Um, and then I guess my lastquestion is one thing you hope
to see St.
Louis could do for the outdoorculture and the outdoor
community.
Is there anything that you wouldlove to see the city do?
SPEAKER_02 (29:26):
Uh the city itself?
Yeah.
Just more um green spaces.
You know, more green spaces uhwithin the city.
Like Mexico City is really goodat this.
They have trees everywhere, likeplaces you can walk.
Yeah, I feel like more greenspaces, and I feel like um River
City Greenway is doing or GreatRivers Greenway.
Great Great Rivers Greenway isdoing great stuff there.
(29:46):
Yeah, they're pushing somestuff.
But I feel like the city shouldwe could do more.
SPEAKER_03 (29:49):
Yeah.
We have them.
You know, we have the ability,and and uh that's what all good
cities.
And my one of my old podcastguests, Javen, um, has the
vision for St.
Louis.
SPEAKER_02 (29:58):
Do you see his recent post?
SPEAKER_03 (29:59):
Yeah, dude's insane.
We want him.
Yeah, dude's insane.
Um, and he's got that exhibitwhere you can like look at the
picture this way and you look atit this way of what greenery
looks like in a city versus not.
SPEAKER_04 (30:08):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (30:08):
And like it's not, I mean, it's obviously hard to do,
but it's like, what if we didthat?
Imagine what St.
Louis would look like.
Yeah.
You know, so it's uh it'spossible and it's like
everything, you know.
That's what part of the reasonof like, you know, going 30
minutes outside of St.
Louis.
Like, you know, people are like,oh, you don't live in the like,
don't live in the city.
It's like sometimes people justfind peace next to trees that
you're I mean, there's value tobeing in the woods.
(30:30):
So I appreciate you for comingon today, my guy.
Uh excited to support the brand.
I'll see you at Food Truck or atum at uh Tower Grove Park for
the farmers market.
Um, the new South City hat thatI'm wearing today.
This thing is so tough.
So if you guys are watching onYouTube, go to opoutdoors.com.
You can shop that.
So it's it's not on your mainhomepage.
You got to go to the inside theloo category.
SPEAKER_02 (30:48):
Uh yeah.
If you it's on that, it's a tabon the op outdoors page.
It's inside the loo, bunch ofnew merch there.
It's gonna be fun.
SPEAKER_03 (30:54):
Sounds good, man.
We'll appreciate you for comingon.
SPEAKER_02 (30:56):
Thanks for pleasure, pleasure, pleasure.
SPEAKER_03 (30:58):
Thank you.
Sounds good.
See you next week.
unknown (31:00):
St.
SPEAKER_03 (31:01):
Louis, thanks for listening.
Everything we do here is abouttelling the story of this city,
and that doesn't stop with thisshow.
On the Bucketless PodcastNetwork, we're diving even
deeper into the people, places,and moments that make this city
what it is.
Meet Me in Music with NeilSalzick captures the sound of
the city, past and present,ending each episode with a live
performance.
For my foodie lovers, the saucewith Lauren Healy brings you
(31:21):
inside the restaurants thatdefine our culture every
Tuesday.
Gateway to Growth with JamalCornelius highlights the stories
behind the people that make St.
Louis work.
And every Thursday, Bryce breaksdown your weekend with This Week
in St.
Louis.
More stories, more voices.
Explore the full bucketlesspodcast network wherever you
listen.
So you walked in and you got rejected at all?
SPEAKER_02 (00:02):
Okay.
Yeah, all six of them, yeah.
Imagine like months of justprepping hype and like, all
right, I'm here first one.
I just drove seven seven hoursfor this.
Yeah, totally unenthusiastic,hard no.
SPEAKER_01 (00:17):
If you wanna hear about St.
Louis, tune into the bucket listshow weekly.
Hear what Marissa and Luke say.
It drops every Wednesday, got adope new guest every single
week.
Buckle up for the ride.
Who's it gonna be?
Who's on the show today?
They rap St.
Louis.
What to do in the loo on a latenight?
(00:38):
I maybe what to do on a datenight.
Yeah.
Bucket list as you covered, thenknow what's going on.
What's going on?
They'll give you 18 differentthings to do on 19.
If you need one more to choose,yeah.
This city, city, city is a placewe call home.
A place we call home.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (00:55):
St.
Louis, welcome back to anotherepisode of the STL bucket list
show.
We've been recording thispodcast for over four years.
Just got a Facebook memory whenwe launched in March of 2022.
Our first episode with BrockSeals.
200 plus episodes later, we'vebeen putting out shows each and
every week, highlighting thepeople, places, and events that
make St.
Louis special.
Somebody that I've connectedwith for a long time.
(01:16):
We've ran into each other.
I've done stuff with you.
You've been at markets.
I felt like I've seen you like ahundred times.
SPEAKER_02 (01:21):
Yeah, dude.
I see you all around St.
Louis.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (01:23):
Um, so we got Juno in the studio.
It's hard to introduce youbecause we were talking before
the show, but I know Juno fromOpe Outdoors.
I know you as a really sickphotographer creator.
Um, I know you from podcasting,from videos on that you do on
Instagram.
You've done so many differentthings.
So when you introduce yourself,what do you say you do?
SPEAKER_02 (01:42):
You know, it's kind of a hard thing to answer.
I usually it depends on who I'mtalking to.
Yeah.
So in this particular sense,yeah, I do I run a business
called Ope Outdoors, and I'm aphotographer slash creator, is
what I go by.
That's simple.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
So tell me how you got.
Well, actually, let's talk aboutSt.
Louis a little bit.
For sure.
How what is St.
Louis home to you?
Tell me about the story of St.
Louis, kind of where you grewup, what led you to this?
SPEAKER_02 (02:05):
Sure.
So I was I'm African.
I was born in Zambia.
Uh, we moved here when I waslike six, and we lived all
around.
And then the way it is as animmigrant, you like kind of kind
of moved to where people youknow people.
So we had um family friends thatlived on the Illinois side.
So I lived on the Illinois sidewhen I was like 10, and then we
(02:26):
just moved over to St.
Louis, lived in St.
Louis up until I was like13-ish, and then our visas
expired.
So I moved to Hillsborough,Missouri, where we had another
family friend while my parentswent back um to Zambia.
And then I was looking at placesto go to college.
So I went back, I came back toSt.
Louis and went to Slough.
And then I've kind of stayed inSt.
(02:46):
Louis since college.
SPEAKER_03 (02:47):
What was that moment like when you were so from six
to 13?
You had seven years.
That was basically your wholewhat you remember was always in
the Midwest.
Yeah.
But then, like, what was thatmoment like when the visa did
expire and you had to move toHillsboro?
Was that a culture shock for youat 13 years old?
Because I know Hillsboro.
Yeah, you do.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
It was it was culture shock.
Um, you know, I was like theonly black dude there, but like
they're nice people.
Yeah.
And it's weird because it's likeHillsboro is only 45 minutes-ish
away from St.
Louis.
But when you get there, it'slike everyone's wearing cowboy
boots, cowboy hats, you know,everyone's on a farm kind of so
the vibe is definitelydifferent, but honestly, really
(03:25):
good people, really nice people,and I really had like a good
time there in Hillsboro.
SPEAKER_03 (03:29):
So during that, like during your teenage years, like
you were kind of likediscovering, you know, what you
wanted to be.
Was there something like duringthat time like that you were
passionate about?
What you were always creative,or was were you?
SPEAKER_02 (03:39):
No, not really.
I mean, I guess I was, I justdidn't really know it.
I really loved playing soccerand I liked chemistry, so I went
to school for chemistry.
So I thought I was just gonna bea scientist or whatever.
I wasn't really sure, maybe likechemical engineering.
I didn't really know what Iwanted to do.
But after going to school forchemistry and graduating, I was
just kind of like over all ofthat.
SPEAKER_04 (04:00):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (04:01):
And I've, you know, I just decided I want to do
something more fun.
So I picked up a camera, startedtaking pictures.
That was really fun to me.
And then when it came time, Iwas working in labs all the
time, and it was just kind oflike I s I got the creative
itch.
And it just when you're in a labis like the most uncreative
thing to do.
You're like literally justtesting to make sure something
(04:21):
is what it is.
So I decided, you know, I Ireally wanted to pursue business
as well.
So I started learning aboutlike, you know, like graphics
and whatever.
So started the merch thing, andthen taking photos, and then I
really liked video and thenstarted making videos.
So it was just kind of a naturalthing for me, I think.
SPEAKER_03 (04:39):
First community credit union is the official
banking partner of STLBucketless.
They've been serving St.
Louis families for 90 plus yearswith 40 plus local branches and
over 400,000 members frompersonal credit loans to
mortgages to kids and teenaccounts.
They also have a partnershipwith the STL Blues.
You see, Louie here if you'rewatching on YouTube.
Uh, we're proud to use FirstCommunity.
I use it for my own family andmy own business.
(05:01):
Um, we're excited for them to bethe official banking partner of
STL Bucket list.
Yeah, and it's like full roundedcreative because you're putting
real things into the world withthe apparel, but then you're
also like creating timelessimages.
And I love your style.
So, like, do you have like areason why that's your style?
Or like, because I feel like,and I don't even know what to
call it, but like you have thisdistinct whether it's the camera
(05:22):
lens that you shoot with, thewhite border that you always put
around your photos, right?
The color, like the overbrightness and exposure, like
you like bright sun, you know.
I mean, I don't know.
SPEAKER_02 (05:31):
I I I guess I get a lot of inspiration from old
stuff.
Yeah, I feel like back thenpeople just took a lot a lot of
care in what they made.
Yeah.
So a lot of that old stuff islike really vibrant and has a
lot of character.
So that's kind of where myinspiration comes from is like
older films, the color grade onthose older films.
Like, and I I think maybe I'mjust a bubbly person, maybe, but
(05:54):
I I really like color.
So like when when I when I'mlooking at this old stuff, I I
see it as very colorful too.
There's a lot of texture andcolor, and they're not afraid to
be bold with like graphics andall these different things.
And I feel like our societynowadays is way more bland and a
lot more like almost calculatedin their art or presentation.
(06:14):
So I like throwing it back tothat kind of stuff just because
it's a little bit older, alittle bit like funky, groovy
kind of stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (06:20):
Yeah, and then that really kind of leads into you
know really what you're doingnow.
So what what's your dailyshooter?
What was your first camera?
SPEAKER_02 (06:28):
Oh, my first camera was a uh Canon T I 6 Ti, or I
forget what it is, T6i.
Yeah.
Uh and then I moved over to umcan or I moved over to the
mirrorless, so I startedshooting on a Can R6.
Yeah.
And then I ran that for a while,and then I started getting into
like filmmaking and um video.
(06:49):
So then I bought a black magic,okay, which are I love the black
magic, the color great, like thecolor science, everything is
great.
And they're affordable, so itwas a little bit cheaper.
So that was my first filmcamera, was a black magic, and
now um, so Nikon just boughtred.
I don't know if you know aboutred, they're like a camera brand
was like film.
So Nikon just bought red, andthey just introduced their
(07:11):
newest like cinema hybridcamera.
So I I bought it.
It's the Nikon ZR.
So it's like it shoot and itshoots red codec.
So you can, yeah, so you cancolor grade just like kind of
like a red, but it's also like aNikon camera at the same time.
It's pretty sexy.
So it's got like the upgradedfeatures that you need and stuff
like that.
And it's portable.
So yeah, I'm like going aroundtown all the time on my bike or
(07:32):
whatever.
So I have that.
I can put it in my pocket, Icould put it in my backpack and
just whip it out.
SPEAKER_03 (07:36):
That's what you're doing a lot of your like
neighborhood videos with correctcamera now.
SPEAKER_02 (07:39):
It used to be a black magic and it was a pain
because the black magic is kindof big and I had a big old lens
on it.
Yeah, and that was kind of ahassle, but now I just got a
little tiny thing.
SPEAKER_03 (07:47):
And then you kind of like when I first met you, you
were using like this really oldlens.
Is that do you still have thatlens?
SPEAKER_02 (07:53):
I do, yeah.
That's funny you remember that.
Yeah, um, I still I have a bunchof these old lenses.
I was kind of into I'm stillinto that, but it's hard to
focus like now that I'm doingthings a lot quicker, yeah.
It's a lot hard, like those oldlenses, which are great and
amazing, they have like theygive character to a lot of the
can't like the shoots you'retaking.
But they're you know, it's allmanual focus.
So it just they take a lot oftime to like get focused right,
(08:16):
and some of them are just likefinicky.
So I'm when you're running andgunning shit like this, it
doesn't make sense.
Yeah, it's that kind of stuff.
I do still use them, but justfor like more like personal
stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (08:26):
Yeah.
So if we're talking St.
Louis, like is there somebodythat like was was pivotal in
your journey?
Like, is there any like peoplethat you look up to in the
creative world that kind ofhelped you get into it, or like
somebody you met early in yourjourney?
SPEAKER_02 (08:37):
No, I did I just remember or like early
Instagram.
I don't know if you rememberthis, it was just like you could
see you would see like a wholebunch of photos of like back in
like 2018, 2017.
Yeah, second try, like all thesethose be people like you just
see their stuff post it up.
And then yeah, I'd followed abunch of those accounts, the St.
Louis Graham account.
Yeah.
Um, and it was great.
You just see all these creators,and it inspired me really to
(09:00):
pick up the camera and juststart exploring.
SPEAKER_04 (09:02):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (09:03):
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They're not only deliveringexceptional care, they're one of
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We're proud to present SSMHealth as the official
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If you've dreamed of a careerwhere you're truly making a
(09:24):
difference every day, SSM Healthcan help you take that to the
next step.
Learn more at their website inthe link in the show notes.
So, like that, and that that'swhy I think like your stuff is
distinctly you.
Like when you, if you guys go tohis page, um, you know, it's uh,
you know, I'll drop that in thecomments.
But, you know, you have thisunique color, this unique, you
know, even just yourpersonality, like you are doing
(09:46):
things that not a lot of peoplein St.
Louis are doing, and I'm gladthat you're starting to get
recognition from it.
But how did this lead intoentrepreneurship?
Because when you first picked upthe camera, you were probably
still working in your regularjob, or probably, you know, so
what made you take that leapinto starting your own brand
with Ope Outdoors, selling yourservices?
Like, you know, what was thatlike when you got paid the first
time to shoot photos?
(10:07):
Oh, dude, I don't I don't know.
SPEAKER_02 (10:09):
It's uh as an entrepreneur, I mean, I I guess
I've always been an entrepreneurin the sense like I used to sell
like candy in school and likemow lawns and all that kind of
stuff.
And like I said, I went back toscience and it's just not the
same.
I I like the freedomentrepreneurship gives you.
So I used to play a lot ofsoccer um and I hurt my knee.
So I started hiking a lot.
(10:30):
And at the same time, uh, like alot of my college friends moved
out west, and there were, youknow, I went and visited and go
went hiking at the nationalparks and all other cool places.
And I noticed that they had likebrands there that rec
represented those places andthat were like kind of cool and
like interesting.
And at the same time, you know,I was really frustrated at work
just because work was work and Iwasn't feeling creative.
(10:52):
I felt like I had no autonomy,no freedom.
Right.
So at the same time that washappening, I was like, you know
what?
Maybe I could start like anoutdoor brand or something here
because I was hiking here inMissouri and we have some pretty
cool places, and I didn't seeany shirts that represented
them, so I was like, you know,maybe I could make something.
So that was kind of how openoutdoors started.
And then at the same time, likewith the photography, I was
(11:13):
seeing all these people onInstagram.
I started shooting myself, andalso I needed to take photos of
like my merch and like thebranding for the op outdoor
stuff.
So I started doing that, andthen at the same time, I was
like, I think I could kind ofmake money shooting photos for
other people.
So that was kind of a naturalthing.
I was like, Well, I kind of needmoney.
SPEAKER_03 (11:32):
So sometimes I use the money that I make from the
photo shoots to get some merchstuff, and it kind of like I
remember the first time I evergot paid to do like any work
outside of like a regular job,and it was$50.
And I made I was making prettygood money at my regular job,
but for some reason that$50changed my life.
It hit my life, like it was afreaking cash app, dude, and it
was like my cash app said likeboom, and it was for I sold a
(11:55):
post to somebody on STL bucketlist, and I only had like 12,000
followers at that time, but likesomebody just paid me 50 bucks,
and I literally grabbed thepicture, wrote the caption, and
in two minutes I made$50.
And I was like, dude, this wasthis is it.
Amazing.
I was like, this is it.
Yeah, and then I just went hamon that.
And that's probably when you sawthat clip of me when I was like,
dude, I want to go all in onthis.
Yeah.
And that was before contentcreators were like influenced.
(12:16):
Like, I I don't even like to usethe word influencers because
like we're I'm a business owner,like we're creating real
business, we're creating realimpact.
But at the end of the day, we'reinfluencing and we have this
following and this community.
But how do you turn thatcommunity into an actual
business that employs people,you know, and creatives?
And everybody here gets to workcreatively, you know, and that's
the dream.
Right.
You know, and that's why webuilt this studio, and you know,
and that's why I'm glad to haveyou on because I've we've just
(12:39):
ran with each other in all thesedifferent circles, and it's
like, why haven't we not hadthis conversation on the
podcast?
Truly.
Um, what are you excited aboutright now?
I mean, obviously spring'scoming up.
Like, what are some things thatyou're looking forward to?
SPEAKER_02 (12:48):
Dude, a farmers market is coming up on Saturday,
and it's the best time ever.
Um, this is my third season atthe market with Ope Outdoors.
I'm really excited this timebecause I'm doing like some St.
Louis merch that you've probablyseen.
So I'm excited for that.
And also we're coming up with aum uh spring collection as well.
So I don't know, the the energyat the farmers market is just so
(13:11):
awesome.
So really pumped for that.
SPEAKER_03 (13:13):
If you close your eyes for, you know, and looked
looked ahead five years, what doyou what what would a day in the
life look like for you?
Like what are what are some ofthose things that you want in
your life over the next fiveyears?
SPEAKER_02 (13:24):
The next five years, you know specifically, I I'd
like obviously to be run runningmy business full time.
Um, but I I I don't want to beconventional in that sense.
I want to have I still want toride my bike around and still
make these videos.
Yeah.
So the way I guess the way I seeit is if I can break it out my
(13:46):
days into like partially Opeoutdoors, partially like some
filmmaking, photography, andthen some form of exercise, you
know, that's kind of like themost ideal day for me.
SPEAKER_03 (13:57):
Yeah, if you broke it into three.
So, like your ideal day, youknow, wake up, do some admin
work for OPE, go to the gym, andthen shoot some content in the
afternoon.
SPEAKER_02 (14:04):
Right.
So creativity, business, andthen exercise.
That's kind of like my perfectday.
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SPEAKER_03 (14:49):
Um, so I want to talk about STL for a little bit.
So, you know, obviously you grewup on the Illinois side, you
know, spent some time at SLU.
STL is your home now.
For sure.
What are some of those bucketlist spots that you love in St.
Louis?
So when we're looking at a dayin the life, like what's that
coffee spot that you love?
What's that lunch spot that youlove?
When friends come in town,because you probably got friends
that come in town and like whatare those spots you're taking
(15:09):
them?
Because you want to show offyour city.
Yeah, you know, and I bet youyou ride your bike everywhere,
so I know you got some spots.
SPEAKER_02 (15:14):
Dude, so many good spots.
Okay, so in the morning, we gottwo spots that I really like for
maybe three.
Three spots I really like for uhbreakfast, coffee, and just
hanging out.
Uh Felhad Fern, I used to liveon Russell, and I was there
while they were building thatspot, and you know, Darcy does
an amazing job, great spot.
And then down the street, um,damn fine hand pies, also
(15:37):
awesome.
Great donuts, good vibes.
And then coffee stamp over onJefferson.
That's a staple.
Love them.
Empanadas and Patrick's a homie.
The empanadas are crazy, right?
It goes so high.
SPEAKER_03 (15:48):
He's so underrated.
I mean, I feel like people know.
If you know, you know, but likehe needs to get a little bit
more recognition.
So I'm glad you're 100%.
He's like, dude, stuff is onfire there.
SPEAKER_02 (15:55):
Coffee stamp, the goat.
Um, lunchtime.
I don't know.
I like I'm usually asleep duringlunchtime, to be honest.
Yeah.
But uh, ideal spot, Tower GrovePark.
Hit up Talegrove Park.
Um, I know we have a lot of goodsandwich sandwich spots up in
the hill, uh, Blue City, Delhifor sure.
Um, there's a spot over by whereProfield Reserve used to be.
(16:16):
I can't remember the name of thesandwich up right next door.
Yeah.
Elaine's.
Elaine's.
Eileen's, something like that.
Eileen's something like that.
Yeah, right next door.
Great sandwiches there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:24):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (16:24):
And then Cherokee Street, if you're feeling like
tacos, all those spots are ElTorino, best taco spot, uh,
right next to the uh grocerystore.
And then if the evening's comingaround, um, just down the
street, Sippy, I like do gettingsome work done there.
Um, TikTok Tavern, I like thatspot.
(16:44):
Uh Grand Spirits.
Or not Grand Spirits anymore,Monstera.
SPEAKER_04 (16:49):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (16:49):
Uh downstairs.
You guys used to hell highlighton there.
SPEAKER_03 (16:52):
I haven't been yet.
I've the new speaking.
Yeah, yeah.
That dude's a gangster too.
Like his uh I love Miss Cal andlike those types of spirits and
agave, and like he's got aMike's the man.
SPEAKER_02 (17:01):
Mike's the man, absolutely the man.
And the staff there too, Bear Umand Chris, homies.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (17:07):
Uh what else?
I like it.
Seems like to from what I'mhearing, is you like these
unique operators.
You tie the operator to thebusiness.
Because you've just beenshouting out each operator.
Yeah, and I feel like you kindof have to or staff that's
there.
SPEAKER_02 (17:20):
Right, exactly.
Because they make the space.
Yeah.
They're the ones making thedecisions.
Like when you have any evenwalking in here, yeah, there's
so many decisions you had tomake to make this place the the
vibe that it is.
Right.
And I feel like the operatorsare kind of like, you know, the
architects of the vibe.
So for sure.
And we have so many of good oneshere.
SPEAKER_04 (17:39):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (17:39):
Like yeah.
So um places, other places tohang.
Um, I like um for activities.
What's good for activities?
I guess let's talk, let's shiftto parks.
Yeah, parks.
SPEAKER_03 (17:52):
Hey, what's that?
What's the STL book?
I know it's hard because they'reall your babies and you got you
got merged, but like what's thattrail or what's that hike that
like that first hike that madeyou be like, man, Missouri has,
you know, you know, he greatentry point always.
SPEAKER_02 (18:05):
Um, Castlewood.
We actually just did a cleanupthere this past Sunday, which
was awesome.
Yeah, but Castlewood is a goodentryway because it has
everything.
You have like a big old hike upto see like the cliff, to see
the Merrimack, which is cool.
And then you go down the stairsand it's kind of like uh kind of
like like a forest-y kind ofthing.
(18:26):
Um, so Castlewood's great.
My favorite park is Hawn StatePark, which is over in St.
Genevieve.
Um, they have these big oldpines, it feels like you're in
like Washington.
It's pretty cool.
And then right next to that ismy second favorite park, is
Pickle Springs, which is onlylike 20 minutes.
You could probably knock both ofthem out the same uh same day.
And Pickle Springs is cool justbecause it's also you get these
(18:46):
giant big old rocks, and thenlike you have a whole bunch of
trees and there's a creek.
It's just cool.
SPEAKER_04 (18:52):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (18:52):
So Ope Outdoors, like you guys are way more than
just apparel, like you guys dothese cleanups.
So what made you kind of jumpinto the cleanups?
Is that just something that kindof struck you as like, hey, we
can make a little, we can make abig you're actually making a way
bigger impact than you probablythought, you know, with these
cleanups.
And when you first started, I'msure only a couple people showed
up, and now it's it's like twopeople.
SPEAKER_02 (19:08):
I started because we started I started first like in
2020.
So we had a decent crowd come tothe first one, and then the
pandemic happened.
So then we were doing these likevirtual kind of things where
it's like clean up in yourneighborhood, and then it was
like the social distancing ruleskind of changed a little bit,
and then like two people showedup to a cleanup, and then it was
(19:29):
like four people, then fivepeople.
This past one we had almost 40people, which is kind of crazy
to say.
Wow, yeah.
But um the wh why I started themwas because as a you know, as a
business owner, like at first Ithink it's all about it's kind
of all about you, what like whatyou want to do, your freedom and
all that.
And if I I think somethinghappens, or eventually, if
(19:50):
you're like searching formeaning or anything, you step
outside yourself a little bit.
And I think as you're doingright now with your team and all
the things highlighting St.
Louis, it's not just about LucasLucas anymore, it's about you
know, the people, the city, theuh all those things.
So I kind of I kind of wanted tobuild a business around around
something more meaningful thanjust myself or just selling
t-shirts.
(20:11):
Exactly.
And it feels it feels like umthe cleanup stuff was just kind
of you know, it just made senseto start with something like
that.
SPEAKER_03 (20:19):
Um you're building community too, you're getting to
see your customers, you know,because I'm sure a lot of those
people started as customersfirst and now they're cleaning
up, or they may not have everbeen a customer, they just want
to be a part of cleaning upthese parks, and regardless,
it's it doesn't matter, youknow.
It's like it's probably fun foryou to get together with 40
people and become friends withthem.
Like I just Ricky from Run Crewwas on here last week.
He's it's gonna be coming outnot this week, but next week.
(20:41):
Uh it'll be coming out the weekbefore this episode.
So you guys are probably alreadyheard it.
But you know, Ricky was talkingabout, you know, how 200 people
showed up to his 314-day run,but the first day, nobody showed
up, you know, and it's like itreally takes, and a lot of those
things is just building andbuilding.
And now at the marathon, in theSt.
Louis marathon, they're gonnahave like 200 plus people
wearing run crew bibs or bibs, Idon't know if that's what you
(21:03):
call it, whatever they'recalled.
Yeah, whatever they're called,but it's like he's built
something, yeah.
You know, and and you'rebuilding something with OPE.
So was there an aha moment inthe journey?
Was that like getting it into aretail store, or was that like,
was there a certain moment whereyou're like, dude, this is like
really starting to become abrand, not just a side hustle?
SPEAKER_02 (21:18):
There were two, yeah, two distinct moments.
Uh, the first one was thefarmer's market, because that
was the first time I had reallylike interacted with the
customers.
Yeah.
Because I do it mostly online,or I did mostly online.
So I never really gotten anyfeedback from anybody.
I'd see sales coming in here andthere, but you know, there's no
real connection there.
It's very transactional.
(21:39):
Right.
And then yeah, the farmer'smarket.
It's like, yeah, I've beenfollowing your brand for two
years, three years, or whatever.
I really love this.
And then you hear stories abouthow I'd go there, I'd go to this
park with my dad since I waslike five years old, and he hit
his dad took him here.
And you hear all these differentstories, and like it feels more
tangible as a business.
Yeah.
So that was number one.
(22:00):
Number two was when I got intoREI and towning country.
Um, that was just like, oh,that's interesting.
Like, yeah, they reached out tome and they they they also
followed the brand and they werelike really interested in the
shirts, and that was kind ofvalidating for me because you
know, as I was just selling atthe markets, I do most of the
stuff just in my house.
You know, I'm not like a big oldbrand or anything like that yet.
(22:21):
Yes.
But but yeah, that was kind ofthose were two validating, and
now I'm at Brentwood, and youknow, it feels like it's doing
really well there.
They're ordering all the time,and people see the shirts there
and always like, yeah, I sawyour shirt.
They are yeah, I'm like, oh hellyeah, that's cool.
SPEAKER_03 (22:34):
The STL bucket list show is proudly sponsored by
Suede Dispensary with 11Missouri area locations.
Suede does so much for the St.
Louis community.
We've been working with thisteam for a couple years back
since Medical was here, andwe're excited to support their
new product launches, events,and community initiatives.
We couldn't be happier to workwith this premier cannabis
brand, and we're excited forthem to sponsor the show.
(22:56):
Enjoy the rest of the podcast.
So I watched this Instagramstory that you did, and I was
like following along for thewhole time.
I've never even told you this,but like it was when you went to
Ohio like on some sales shit,and you were like, Let me go
sell some stuff.
And I've been in that exactmoment before where like I was
at a reflection point in mybusiness, and I've been like,
okay, I need to go sellsomething to someone today.
(23:17):
And you went out to Ohio andlike went and cold.
Yeah.
Like didn't call, like youprobably tried to call him or
tried to email him.
I didn't even try that.
So you walked in and you gotrejected at all?
Yeah, all six of them.
Yeah.
So tell me about tell me howthat made you feel because that
is the epitome of being anentrepreneur, is getting told no
and still keep going.
So tell me about that day.
(23:37):
And I was fine.
I never even told you that, butI really liked that.
That was a cool story that youdid.
I didn't like that you gotrejected six times, but I was
like, I've been there.
It was relatable.
SPEAKER_02 (23:45):
Yeah, I took a week off work and I was like, uh
because my whole idea with Opeis like I want it to be a
Midwest brand.
Because I feel like this is notjust a Missouri thing.
I think it's a Midwest.
I think we're always lookedelsewhere for all those things.
Anyway, yes.
So I went to Ohio.
I was like, you know what?
I'm just gonna rip it.
Go to Ohio, go to all the REIsthere, and then pitch pitch the
brand.
It's doing well with these REIshere.
(24:07):
Um, I figured, why not just takea take a trip, go visit Ohio and
hook those places up.
And yeah, the first I drove, Iremember because I I drove into
Cleveland.
I mean, I flew into Clevelandand then I rented a car, and
then I drove all the way down toHawking Hills and I went to the
first one, which is like sevenhours.
So I drove the first one, I washyped.
(24:29):
I was like, there's no waythey're gonna say no.
I I made specific Ohio merch forme just for the cold meaning to
him, yeah.
For the him who just give themout and be like, you know,
whatever.
He showed the first one,unenthusiastic.
Total.
And I was imagine like months ofjust prep and hype, and like,
all right, I'm here for firstone.
Just drove seven seven hours forthis.
(24:49):
Yeah, totally unenthusiastic,hard no.
Um, and that was kind ofdemoralizing at first.
And then I kind of made my wayaround Ohio.
I think they have five are guys,five or six.
So I drove around and I gotbetter at my sales pitch.
The first one I just kind ofshowed up with stuff and I was
like, hey, what's going on?
Can I get these here in yourstore?
When can I get them?
How many do you want?
It was a little different.
(25:10):
And then I developed my salespitch as I went along, but like
some of them were maybe, some ofthem are no's, flat out no's,
two flat out no's.
One of them actually justreached out to me, the one in
Cleveland.
Um, and they I have someone Iwork with in Cleveland that
helps me with group hikes thereand whatever.
And I sent them some merch, somaybe I might be in Cleveland
(25:30):
soon.
So I got a kind of that was kindof a warm one, and then just
literally maybe a couple weeksago, they reached out and they
might want to carry some stuff.
SPEAKER_03 (25:38):
So this episode is sponsored by Upshot Coffee,
three St.
Louis area locations inCottleville, Break Shop in St.
Charles, and their new hi-filocation in Clayton.
I personally use Upshot Coffeeevery day at my espresso machine
at home, and I try to visit oneof the shops at least once a
week.
They source the beansresponsibly from local farms all
across the world, um, and theytake care of their staff and
(25:58):
they take care of the community.
Let's get back to the show.
What did you learn from thatthough?
Like what what like what wasyour mindset when you were
driving home?
SPEAKER_02 (26:06):
Uh, you know, it it's one of those where it's
like, you know, as anentrepreneur, you you you it's
like you miss all the shots youdon't take or whatever that
saying is.
And like I learned somethingregardless of whether or not I
got the yes.
And I think to me, that thatkind of it also showed me a
(26:28):
little bit of resilience.
Like I didn't really loseanything.
There was nothing really tolose.
Like it's it's such a leveragingthing just to ask because
there's always upside.
The only downside, there wasreally no downside.
The no was already a no if Inever had approached.
Exactly.
So there was only upside in meeven going there.
Now building relationship, andyou know, eventually, maybe if
(26:51):
this one gets into Cleveland, Ihave all the emails of all the
other ones for all the other,you know, REIs.
SPEAKER_03 (26:56):
So it's like, you know, it's it, I don't think you
ever really lose because you'rejust learning something.
SPEAKER_04 (27:01):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (27:02):
And it takes that, man.
Like it it really does taketime.
And there's people that I'vetalked to four years ago that
are finally becoming customersnow.
And it's like it does geteasier, but it there's different
challenges, you know, whenyou're building in your mode,
when you're by yourself and likeeverything's on you, you have
all that pressure, but you alsodon't have the pressure of other
people failing with you.
So, like, that's a differentpressure, but also they relieve
(27:25):
a lot of things and they'rebetter, they're better at a lot
of things than you are.
Like there, you have to be realwith yourself and be like, what
am I good at?
What am I excited about?
What am I doing?
And then how can I, how can I,you know, delegate the things
that don't make me excited andthen focus on the things that do
make you excited.
So I want to wrap up with somerapid fire, open outdoor style.
Sure.
So I'm gonna I'm gonna read yousome questions.
(27:46):
We're just gonna fire them off.
So sunrise or sunset hike?
Sunset hike.
Sunset hike.
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (27:52):
Uh sunset hike, go up to Castlewood.
Short, quick, uh, go up the hilland then sit on that bench and
uh watch this miss watch thesunset as the Mississippi is
flown by.
Midwest spring or midwest fall?
SPEAKER_03 (28:05):
Midwest spring, spring all day, baby.
It's because it's spring now.
That's right.
Uh, favorite trail within 10minutes of St.
Louis.
Is there a good one?
Within 10 minutes.
SPEAKER_02 (28:16):
Forrest Park, I don't know the names of some of
these trails, but Forest Parkhas some crazy trails.
Yeah.
Music, podcast, or silence ontrail.
Silence, you gotta think.
Silence.
You gotta think.
unknown (28:27):
Nah.
SPEAKER_02 (28:28):
I sometimes it depends on how long the trail
is.
If it's a long, long, windytrail, podcast.
Okay.
Or book.
Audiobook or podcast.
If it's just like a 30-minutething, silence, baby.
Bucket list trail you haven'tbeen to yet.
But in Missouri?
Anywhere.
Oh, anywhere?
Yeah.
I really want to go to Alaska.
I don't know, like, I I I forgetwhat like what parks, but Alaska
(28:51):
looks awesome.
I want to go visit Alaska.
It's awesome.
SPEAKER_03 (28:54):
Um, go uh coffee before or after hike?
Before.
Before, baby.
Before and after?
SPEAKER_02 (29:01):
And after both.
Let's get it.
SPEAKER_03 (29:02):
Go to white monster.
Give me some.
And white monster.
Uh, and then to wrap up, go tosnack after hiking.
Go to snack.
You're a workout guy too.
SPEAKER_02 (29:12):
I am.
I love a good beef jerky.
Give me a beef jerky and a likea power raid.
SPEAKER_03 (29:16):
I'm rolling, baby.
Um, and then I guess my lastquestion is one thing you hope
to see St.
Louis could do for the outdoorculture and the outdoor
community.
Is there anything that you wouldlove to see the city do?
SPEAKER_02 (29:26):
Uh the city itself?
Yeah.
Just more um green spaces.
You know, more green spaces uhwithin the city.
Like Mexico City is really goodat this.
They have trees everywhere, likeplaces you can walk.
Yeah, I feel like more greenspaces, and I feel like um River
City Greenway is doing or GreatRivers Greenway.
Great Great Rivers Greenway isdoing great stuff there.
(29:46):
Yeah, they're pushing somestuff.
But I feel like the city shouldwe could do more.
SPEAKER_03 (29:49):
Yeah.
We have them.
You know, we have the ability,and and uh that's what all good
cities.
And my one of my old podcastguests, Javen, um, has the
vision for St.
Louis.
SPEAKER_02 (29:58):
Do you see his recent post?
SPEAKER_03 (29:59):
Yeah, dude's insane.
We want him.
Yeah, dude's insane.
Um, and he's got that exhibitwhere you can like look at the
picture this way and you look atit this way of what greenery
looks like in a city versus not.
SPEAKER_04 (30:08):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (30:08):
And like it's not, I mean, it's obviously hard to do,
but it's like, what if we didthat?
Imagine what St.
Louis would look like.
Yeah.
You know, so it's uh it'spossible and it's like
everything, you know.
That's what part of the reasonof like, you know, going 30
minutes outside of St.
Louis.
Like, you know, people are like,oh, you don't live in the like,
don't live in the city.
It's like sometimes people justfind peace next to trees that
you're I mean, there's value tobeing in the woods.
(30:30):
So I appreciate you for comingon today, my guy.
Uh excited to support the brand.
I'll see you at Food Truck or atum at uh Tower Grove Park for
the farmers market.
Um, the new South City hat thatI'm wearing today.
This thing is so tough.
So if you guys are watching onYouTube, go to opoutdoors.com.
You can shop that.
So it's it's not on your mainhomepage.
You got to go to the inside theloo category.
SPEAKER_02 (30:48):
Uh yeah.
If you it's on that, it's a tabon the op outdoors page.
It's inside the loo, bunch ofnew merch there.
It's gonna be fun.
SPEAKER_03 (30:54):
Sounds good, man.
We'll appreciate you for comingon.
SPEAKER_02 (30:56):
Thanks for pleasure, pleasure, pleasure.
SPEAKER_03 (30:58):
Thank you.
Sounds good.
See you next week.
unknown (31:00):
St.
SPEAKER_03 (31:01):
Louis, thanks for listening.
Everything we do here is abouttelling the story of this city,
and that doesn't stop with thisshow.
On the Bucketless PodcastNetwork, we're diving even
deeper into the people, places,and moments that make this city
what it is.
Meet Me in Music with NeilSalzick captures the sound of
the city, past and present,ending each episode with a live
performance.
For my foodie lovers, the saucewith Lauren Healy brings you
(31:21):
inside the restaurants thatdefine our culture every
Tuesday.
Gateway to Growth with JamalCornelius highlights the stories
behind the people that make St.
Louis work.
And every Thursday, Bryce breaksdown your weekend with This Week
in St.
Louis.
More stories, more voices.
Explore the full bucketlesspodcast network wherever you
listen.
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