InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 13 the years that would make outdoor trips more enjoyable, but it wasn’t until The Cozy Cloak emerged that they had the inspiration to turn an idea into a company. “Parenthood can be a shock to the system, especially for those driven by outdoor pursuits,” said Gen Sheets, who is listed as the company founder. “Both our children were born during Wyoming winters, a time usually spent chasing powder days. “Instead, we found ourselves feeling trapped by parenthood until we discovered the freedom of using a child carrier backpack,” she said. Recalling a terrifying story that occurred during the winter of 2017-18, Gen Sheets told of how the family was coping with recovery from a bear mauling. Daily walks became crucial to Jon’s rehabilitation. The parents grew frustrated by the amount of time it took to bundle their one-year-old son and how fast the boy would get cold when they were outside, so they set out to find a solution. “The Cozy Cloak was born on our kitchen table with two cut up hooded sweatshirts, duct tape and a stapler,” she recalled. “From that early prototype we have been able to convert a one or two season carrier into a year-round aid over the past six years. This has afforded us the benefit to be able to carry our children working, cleaning, traveling, hunting, skiing, and hiking.” The Cozy Cloak’s softshell adult coat features an extended back that fully encloses child carriers. The design allows the mobile adult and immobile child to share body heat in one coat. Sheets said choosing Americanmade products is a great way for consumers to show loyalty to the country. “We live here,” she said. “We understand life in adverse weather found here. We can make changes to production based on feedback from our fellow Americans. We’re also able to be more involved in the product development cycle ensuring that the final product is developed exactly the way we want envisioned.” The Sheets acknowledged they get their fabric for the softshell and the pocket mesh from Canada, but the lining material, all notions, branding image and tags are sourced from suppliers within the United States. The couple knows that foreign country workers could produce the product cheaper, but they said the “totally unique concept” of the Cozy Cloak, which was born and bred in the United States, provides them with the winning edge. Since they are investing in the country, Gen Sheets said she would like to see Congress and the President do the same by providing more tax credits to entrepreneurs who support American workers and businesses. “Our product, which supports family values, is truly one of a kind,” she said. “You could call it a disruptor, nothing like it has been on the market, why shouldn’t that be celebrated?” Two-way connection Alchemy photo As a brand, Alchemy connects with cycling enthusiasts in two ways. “We offer our custom-built side, which allows a customer to have a bike built to their spec, color or geometry needs, or if a buyer just wants to ride an Alchemy without the waiting, customizing or increased cost, we’ve done all the work testing, designing, etc., so you can buy a ready-built model off the shelf,” said Ben Holz Alchemy’s Marketing Director. “One of our founding principles was being U.S.- made, and over the years we have built a team of some of the country’s best fabricators, designers and engineers,” Holz continued. “We pride ourselves on being able to show people that our U.S. made custom bikes are among the best-designed, highest-quality bikes you can buy, comparable to any top European brand or big-name U.S. brand.” Sourcing the carbon and titanium used in Alchemy bikes comes from U.S. manufacturers, Holz disclosed. While Alchemy boasts it is “Made in the USA,” it also admits it has a foot overseas. “We’ve also been able to produce a line of bikes overseas, strictly following our own guidelines and specs, which has opened a new audience to Alchemy with lower cost bikes,” Holz explained. “We’re not forcing people to either choice; we’re giving them choices that help get them into the sport we love. “If they like their first factory-made Alchemy, they’ll often come back to buy the full custom package. And then they get the exact bike they want, exactly the way they want it.” Because Alchemy focuses on what it does, Holz declined to offer suggestions to U.S. political leaders. “Alchemy as a brand has made a decision not to comment on political or foreign affairs,” Holz stated. However, the Colorado-based manufacturer does enjoy working with the City of Golden and promoting the area and the state for its riding and bikefriendly cities and towns. “We want people to enjoy cycling on any bike, as that is good for our industry as a whole,” he said. “And we love to work with like-minded brands. We think this becomes a win-win for everyone. “It’s too small an industry to not work together for the big picture of growing the sport,” Holz concluded. “We think our openness to work within and outside our industry is something that helps set us apart.” m
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