Meet the OnwardUP Team
With our current combined experience in the outdoor industry, our OnwardUP team numbers continue to grow! We thought it would be a great time to (re)introduce ourselves to all of you. We are OnwardUP, but who are the faces behind the name?
You all know we forge connections and partnerships that enable elevated outdoor experiences. With focus on character, entrepreneurialism and a high-level of experience, in a variety of outdoor and business environments, our team is able to focus on the fine details of servicing our dealers and creating growth for our vendors. We are a dedicated crew, with compassionate hearts.
…but how cold is too cold? Where did we grow-up? What music makes us rock-out and what makes us laugh the most? What the heck did we do before we joined the OnwardUP team?
Our next highlighted team member, in our Meet the OnwardUP Team social series, is one of our newest members of the team; welcome Dylan Evans! We asked Dylan some fun questions to learn more about him… what’s his nickname? What’s the most memorable moment over the last year and what cheers him up when he’s had a bad day?!
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Any fun nicknames?
“Dilbert, Dill”
Where do you reside?
“Cochrane, AB”
What is your job title at OnwardUP?
“Sales Analyst”
How would you describe your role at OnwardUP?
“I’m here to support the sales team by providing them with valuable and decision ready data insights.”
How long have you been a team member?
“Since Aug 26th 2024…”
Share with us how you got into the outdoor industry?
“I got into the outdoor industry by chance, I started working at an Atmosphere store in Calgary while I was going to university and once I graduated I followed an opportunity to work for the outdoor hardgoods buying team with FGL.”
Do you have a mentor?
“Not a mentor per se, but i’m fortunate to have many trusted people in my life that I can go to for guidance in different areas”
What’s the hardest challenge you overcame?
“N/A”
What’s your ideal work-life balance?
“Working hard but leaving enough mental and physical capacity to enjoy the activities I love and spend time with my friends and family.”
What can always make you feel better after a bad day?
“Big days in the mountains or on the river with my wife and dog”
What makes you laugh the most?
“The stories you share with friends during big days in the mountains.”
How do you like to spend your free time?
“Fishing, Skiing, Hiking, CrossFit, eating good food!”
What are you most proud of yourself for?
“Living my life how I want to live it and not by the expectations of others”
What is your biggest irrational fear?
“Very large groups of people.”
What do you feel most passionate about?
“Taking care of the environment so it is there for future generations to enjoy.”
Do you live by any words of wisdom?
“Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish.”
Book / podcast recommendations?
“Lost In The Barrens – Farley Mowat, and Chronicle of a Death Foretold – Gabriel Garcia Marquez.”
One thing you have learnt in the mountains that you wish everyone knew?
“The scale of nature in terms of time and size puts things into perspective. Spending time outside has a special way of helping you solve problems and getting you unstuck.”
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
“Early bird.”
What type of music are you into?
“All of it, except pop-country gross!”
What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?
“Hiking with my wife and dog, or blue lining.”
Name a non-profit in your community that is doing amazing work/or that you’re affiliated with?
“The Cochrane & Area Humane Society”
Upcoming adventure plans, you’d like to share?
“Fall fishing and scrambling”
Do you have a favourite quote?
“I got satisfaction out of doing things that were difficult. It was an incredible feeling. The
pain was there, but the pain didn’t matter.” – Terry Fox
What is the best concert you have ever been to?
“Dropkick Murphys”
What’s the one item of clothing you couldn’t live without?
“My Patagonia Capilene sun shirt. I love the sun but hate sunscreen.”
A value you feel you align with, with OnwardUP’s values
“Balance”
Do you have a hero? Who?
“My dog! They really have things figured out!”
What keeps you going?
“Being able to do the activities I love, with the people I love, in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. And snacks!”
Favourite place within walking distance of your house?
“There is a path that overlooks a cow pasture, I like to go for evening walks and watch the cows”
Activity of choice?
“Skiing in the winter, fly fishing when the snow is gone.”
How did you get into [said activity]?
“I started skiing with the Nancy Greene ski program as a kid. This is my third season fly fishing, i’m fortunate enough to have some good friends who mentored me into the sport.”
A Highlight from last year?
“Buying our house in Cochrane.”
What’s one piece of gear that is always in your backpack and why?
“Satellite communication device so I can tell my Mom i’m still alive.”
How cold is too cold?
“When your eyes freeze shut.. so anything below -35C?”
If you weren’t working for OnwadUP, what would you be doing?
“I would want to be involved in conservation biology, guiding fishing, or physiotherapy!”
