Ten Minutes with Rustin Coburn of DVLP Clothing

At a quick glance, self-titled Bus Driver (CEO) and clothing designer Rustin Coburn, is a typical surfer-dude. Probe just a bit deeper, and it’s apparent that he’s a whole lot more. He is the soul and inspiration behind DVLP Clothing. DVLP is a Colorado-based company that crafts clothes for men, women, and children. DVLP creates affordable and original t-shirts, hoodies, pants, belts, and hats inspired by outdoor sports such as surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. The founders created DVLP “to not only pay respect to the soul of the sports, but to remain rooted in the philosophical aspects that sometimes go unnoticed.” This is apparent by their collaboration with non-profit and activist groups within their community. Rustin’s experience in the janitorial world and his skills at growing a mustache make him an atypical CEO and person in general.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day in your life.

Coburn: Well, I usually wake up around 8:30 am. I go to the bathroom to drop the kids off at the pool. Then, I eat an apple and check my emails. I am usually working on sales, communicating with our manufacturers, or product development.

At about 10 am I make myself some eggs and toast. Then, I go drop the kids off at the pool again (I have a very consistent schedule).

For the rest of the day I work on whatever needs to get done. Almost every day I have quick meetings with our head Marketing/Product Development manager Noah Price, and our Finance/Warehouse manager Mike Ossell. These guys are the core of DVLP. The three of us do whatever it takes to move the company forward (and have fun doing it).

I usually work until about 11 pm, with a few more breaks for food. I work long hours when I’m in the warehouse … this is so I can give myself time to snowboard, skateboard, and hang out with friends and family.

Oligoville: When did you know that you just had to be a designer?

Coburn: It kinda happened naturally. I’ve always been into art, drawing, painting, sculpting, and just being creative. I was also really into drawing the human form, so I guess that played into it as well.

I grew up skateboarding and snowboarding, and during community college I started a little t-shirt company with some friends in Steamboat Springs, CO called Coular. It was a lot of fun, but we were young and decided to sell it two years later. I really enjoyed the process and forum it gave me to be creative.

Four years later, my good friend Mike and I decided to start designing shirts again. It started growing momentum, and I realized that I had a huge passion for clothing design, I dove into it head first. Our main focus now is designing really good fitting and good feeling apparel. I’m getting really into the denim line we are designing …

Oligoville: What three things got you where you are today?

Coburn:

1. Family and friends!!!!

2. Always having a positive outlook on life.

3. A commitment to never giving up.

Oligoville: On a typical day, describe what you’re wearing and where you found it.

Coburn: Almost everything I wear is from DVLP Clothing. I usually wear jeans and a t-shirt, and the rest of my dressing decisions are based on what the temperature is outside. I’m pretty simple, but I only wear stuff that has a slim long fit to it. I guess I wear dress shirts a lot as well.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

Coburn: Study the business side of the industry, and have a plan. Never give up on your dreams …. Winners never quit, and quitters never win. If what you are doing is not selling, then it is time for a new plan … not time to give up.

Oligoville: What do you do to kick back, relax, and let loose?

Coburn: Eat food. Hang out with friends. Spend time with girls or my girlfriend (if I have one at the time). Go dancing. Snowboarding. Skateboarding. Surfing (when I get to do it … I love it sooo much). I listen to a lot of music too.

Oligoville: If you could dress any celebrity, who would it be and why?

Coburn: Never thought about that … ummmmm … maybe Audrey Tautou or Barack Obama.

Oligoville: If you were not a designer, what would you be?

Coburn: Maybe a writer, but definitely something creative. I would love to just snowboard for a living, but I got broke off really bad four years ago. Plus, I’m getting a little too old.

Oligoville: What superpower would you like to have and why?

Coburn: I would love to be able to fly … Then again, I was having a conversation the other day about how amazing it would be to be able to speak every single language in the world. Think about all that you could accomplish … communication is such a powerful tool.

Oligoville: When did you last laugh out loud?

Coburn: Probably an hour ago. Laughing is one of the healthiest things you can do.

The by-line for DVLP is CREATE. INSPIRE. EVOLVE. MOVEFORWARD. As the Bus Driver of DVLP, Rustin has done all four of these things. After speaking with Rustin and seeing how he uses his creativity to combine community, social awareness, art, and nature, I too feel inspired to do just a bit of the same.