We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Duran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After getting out of the Military and hoping around from job to job. I knew another job wasn’t the answer. Starting my first business was essentially a necessity- not a whole lot of thought process went into it. Literally sink or swim. 10 years later the first business (gym) is still standing and now I own technically 2 additional businesses!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been into graffiti and skateboarding culture since middle school and this really shaped my character and my art.

I started doing graffiti as a kid in sketchbooks and always loved painting.

During my time in the Air Force I kept creating and designing, just kept to my self.

During my first 5 years of the gym I went to The Art Institute and ended up graduating with bachelors in graphic design. After that I started getting into murals and tshirt designs.

Before I know it I’m getting asked to print and design shirts for other gyms ! Slowly it expanded more and more and my screen print business is now bigger than I could have imagined.

We are now in the Second phase of the screen printing business and are looking to expand with another local company!

The future is exciting! It’s crazy to think about it all started from doing burpees in a garage and making shirt designs by myself in at home….

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
GV Athletics Premesis Skate Park
Airvaca Skate Park (legal graffiti)
Taco Tote
Graze Burgers
Riggz Smokeshop
Play2win Nonstop Print Shop
Empire Pizza

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Mom, Jay my Business partner, & GV Athletics definitely deserves recognition for my success.

Website: GvAthletics.Triib.com

Instagram: Jesseduran915

Facebook: Jesse Duran

Image Credits
Dustin Sinclair

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