Steven, 32, younger brother Thomas, 26, and their little sister,24, grew up in Grand Rapids Michigan. “We came from a great family,” Says Tom. ”We were brought up with very small town values in an open and honest family.” Steven adds, “But we were also very supported and goal oriented. Our parents have very high expectations of us.”
After Steven graduated from college, he worked for a few years as a supervisor in a juvenile prison, where he focused on rehabilitating teenage residents and helping them merge back into society. A number of his friends had started their own businesses and Steven wanted to follow suit.
He realized Denver didn’t have an interactive, on-line guide geared toward 25 to 45 year old, college educated, upscale Denverites where they could find a one stop shop featuring information and reviews on restaurants, parties, events, businesses, clubs and activities. So two years ago he started allaboutdenver.com. “It was almost a whim when I started it,” says Steven, “but it has really taken off.” Six months after founding it, Steven’s little brother, Thomas, packed up his U-Haul, moved to Denver and is now the vice president. Allaboutdenver.com currently receives between 10,000 and 30,000 hits a month from visitors.
Both brothers agree that working together is perfect. “We complement each other really well,” says Steven, “our values, our drive, the direction we want to take – were right on the same page and both bring ideas to the table. It’s totally 50 – 50 and we get along really well.”
They are also very close with their parents and see their younger sister, who lives in Boulder, several times a week. The brothers hope to expand the site nationally someday and are currently in the works to expand it into Boulder.
On a personal note, Steven strives to continue to be the best father and husband possible and Tom wants to continue pursuing the plethora of personal interests he’s cultivated from rock climbing to hiking, biking and skiing.
Favorite Clothing Stores: Steven: Neiman Marcus, Saks and Banana Republic
What gives a woman/man style: Tom: Confidence
Favorite Restaurant: Steven: Adega, The Palm, Tamayo and Rhumba in Boulder
Which social event is your favorite? Tom: The Brew at the Zoo
What are your volunteer activities? We both donate our time and advertising to raise money for non profit events such as Fashion Forward 2001, 2002, many Kevin Larson Presents Events, Brew at the Zoo and Art for Life.
Who is your hero and why? Tom: My father because he’s just the greatest man I’ve ever known. He’s had professional, family and personal success Steven: Any one of my friends who has ever met our Dad agrees that he is the most amazing person they’ve ever met. He’s just a great all around guy.
If your life were a movie, who would play your part? Steven: Hugh Jackman
Saturday nights at midnight are most likely to find you: Tom: Driving people home from a night out on the town
Do you have any Pets? Steven: No
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner, about you? Tom: That I wasn’t there very much
What one word describes you best? Steven: Driven
What word would you like others to use to describe you? Steven: Passionate
What was your first job? Tom: I did residential construction work when I was 14.
What word or expression do you use too much? Steven: “Dude”
If there were one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be? Tom: I’d become more patient
What is your greatest indulgence? Steven: Eating. I eat way too often and way too much
What is the best gift you have ever received? Tom: The gift of optimism that I received from my parents.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? Steven: My wife, Michael and my 13-month-old daughter, Morgann.
Which talent would you most like to have? Tom: Musical talent, specifically the ability to play the piano.
What is your current state of mind? Steven: Very excited, looking forward to the future professionally and personally.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Tom: It’s a tie between graduating from college and completing my outward-bound course three summers ago.
What is your most treasured possession? Steven: My wedding photo album
What is the quality you most like in a man? Tom: Ambition
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Tom: confidence
What are some of your favorite books? Steven: I read a lot of autobiographies about sports figures or historical people like Lance Armstrong and Ronald Reagan.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Tom: Not to compromise what I believe in - my parents taught me that.
