Decades of being a Kook!
How this all happened
Walking into my first “real” bike shop in the burbs & surf shop "down the shore" changed my life forever!
The smell of new tires and wetsuits is something I’ll never forget. To have that sense of being in the right place with the right people at such a young age was transformative.
It sparked a lifelong love for the outdoors, and I’m committed to ensuring that the next person who walks into a cool shop has the same experience. I owe this lifestyle to my amazing family, who nurtured my passions from the start.
My first paying job outside of the chore-based allowance was delivering newspapers in the 5th grade. Yep, the ’90s were wild! The best part? Riding my bike through the neighborhood. It was just me, my bike, some papers, and the quiet streets, making every morning an adventure before the world woke up.
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Fast forward a few years after college and bartending weekends, I decided it was time to open my dream shop. In a city with 21 bike shops (what’s one more, right?) but no surf, longboard, or snowboard shops, I saw an opportunity. A lifestyle shop blending So-Cal vibes with a British Columbia rawness. It wasn’t easy, but after a few years, we were rolling, opened a second location, and had a hell of a run for a decade
For nearly the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to serve as VP of Sales at the incredible Humid Creative Agency.
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In 2025 I started a dream passion project: Saturday Morning Consulting. Because Saturday mornings are awesome, and I want to ensure that specialty retail never loses that magical smell of fresh tires and wetsuits.​​​
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Relatability
I’ve been in your shoes, what van, what gear, or what zone?
No wrong answer. Just start. I've been in your shoes.
Wondering what van to get, what gear you actually need, or which zone to chase first? There’s no wrong answer. Just start.
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If you’ve got a vehicle with outdoor gear in it or strapped on top, you’re already doing it.
Doesn’t matter what you're driving or what bike, board, rod, or cooler you've got. You're outside. You're stoked. You're living it.
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Keep showing up. The fresh air, the gear, the adventures; they’re all addictive in the best way possible. Welcome to the ride.
Experience
My journey began as a shop rat!
In the vibrant neighborhoods of Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, where I learned about community and the ropes of shop life from the ground up.​ From those early days, my passion for the outdoors, bikes, & boards only grew.
Our Goals
To Get You To Start
At ilovevanlife, we’re all about helping people, brands, and communities grow; where it counts most and getting more folks outside.
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It’s about building real, lasting experiences that connect people to the outdoors and keep them coming back for more.
Whether it's through stories from the road, tested gear we actually use, or the community we're building, we're here to make getting outside easier, more fun, and more connected.
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Join us. Follow along, share your story, and let’s keep this outdoor thing going, together.
