Q: What’s your name, title, business?

A: Jon Rosenberg. CEO/Founder, Cold Case Gear

Q: What does your business do?

A: Cold Case Gear makes rugged aerogel accessories to protect food and electronics while in the back country. Our equipment insulates your outdoor essentials for 8-12 hours.

Q: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

A: I invented Cold Case Gear initially as a solution for my wife, who is a photographer. We used it to keep her batteries alive while winter camping. I never thought about starting a business really. I just saw the utility of the product I created and wanted to share that with the masses. As it turns out, there is a LOT to learn, in order to successfully bring a product to market. I could have never pictured myself being where I am now, running a business and selling products, and solving real problems for so many people. 

Q: What was the most powerful lesson you’ve learned on this journey?

A: Believing in myself. I, like so many people in the world, really got used to being told NO, time and time again. Whether in a job setting or elsewhere, there has been no shortage of people in my life who have told me NO. When you decide to start a business, what you’re really telling people is, “Hey, I’m right. This is a good idea. This is going to be successful, and I’m right person to make it sucessfull.” Learning to trust in myself and believe that I can pull this off is the most powerful thing I’ve learned during this journey. 

Q: Why did you apply for the SCAPE Program?

A: I needed mentorship if this business was going to be successful and SCAPE provides this in spades. I wanted the opportunity to grow as an individual as well as a business owner. 

Q: What companies inspire you the most (local, national, worldwide)?

A: I am inspired locally by VOORMI, an apparel company that decided to set up roots in a rural town and make products in the USA. Something that may have seemed like a pipedream to some but they have really pulled it off. Patagonia is another company that inspires me and defies convention every chance they get. I can only hope that Cold Case Gear can begin to make an impact like they do. On a global scale, Hilleberg The Tentmaker out of Sweden is one of my favorite brands. They focus on only making the best products, with cost being an afterthought. The company only makes tents. They chose their lane and they stuck to it and make the best products in their category. 

Q: What do you love most about Southwest Colorado?

A: I’m going to need another page….This is the greatest place I can imagine to set down roots and start a business. Of course I love our San Juan mountains and all that goes with that. I love the way the sky turns purple and pink during sunrise. I love to watch hot air balloons floating lazily across the horizon. I love the fact that I haven’t been stuck in traffic in the almost two years I have been here. Most of all, Southwest Colorado feels like home the way no other place I’ve lived has felt.

Follow along as we feature Cold Case Gear all week on our social media pages, stay tuned for more insight into this great company!