Cody James Collier
Early Life
I grew up in a small Arkansas town, where, as a middle school student, I filmed, edited, and produced a full-length skateboard video. I burned DVDs, designed the graphics, and printed labels for hundreds of copies. I even created a promotional trailer and sent it out to every student using the school’s email system. Then I took things further, printing flyers and posters on the school’s printers to get the word out. Unsurprisingly, my computer lab privileges were promptly revoked. But it was worth it. Not only did my skate video become a local hit, but at just 13 years old, I had launched my first full-scale media project and a budding marketing campaign.
Education
In high school, I dove into photography, video production, and broadcasting courses. These experiences didn’t just fuel the creation of more skate videos; they sparked a passion for marketing and design that would shape my future. I went on to attend Colorado State University, where I majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I graduated Cum Laude, earning my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree.
Family Life
My wife, Katherine, and I met as high school students. We even went to prom together. Our marriage surprised no one who knew us, and, naturally, a dog soon joined our lives. After graduating from college and spending some time traveling, we moved to Denver to start our family. Today, we have two wonderful children—and that same beloved dog. Though we came from different states, we’ve planted our roots here in Colorado, sharing it as home with both immediate and extended family.
World Travel
Travel has played a significant role in shaping my perspective and providing me with invaluable experiences. My travel addiction began in my teenage years, and since then, I’ve visited 26 countries (and counting), almost all with my wife. Two of the most impactful experiences were a 7-month backpacking journey across South America and, a few years later, an 11-month adventure through Asia after graduating college. Some of the places that have left the strongest impression on me are Cuba, Japan, and The Philippines. More recently, we’ve embraced the chance to escape Colorado winters, working remotely from various cities in Mexico for extended stays.
Professional Experience
I’ve had the opportunity to build a diverse background as an independent web designer and marketing consultant, with hands-on experience from a variety of startups, including a food truck venture I ran with my wife. My journey in tech began with video production for an electronics manufacturing startup, which gave me a solid foundation in the industry. From there, I moved into digital marketing, working as a Digital Marketing Specialist at a large software company, where I was able to apply my marketing education while collaborating with engineers and developers. For the last four years, I’ve been focused on search engine optimization and website design as an SEO Manager at a marketing agency. More recently, I’ve started working with local businesses, helping them enhance their online presence and marketing efforts.