Special Agent’s Name: 00Devon

Code Name: Duke… Duke Lakeshore

City Born In:  Tristan da Cunha, a remote volcanic islands in the south Atlantic Ocean.

What does Social Capital mean to you?

The exchange of social value (ideas, contribution, energy, love, networks)  that determines your monetary value.

How do you live and display social capital in your daily life?

Living the life of a Heart Driven Warrior and helping disrupt the way things are done in business, philanthropy and life.

How would you like to see Social Capital implemented more in our society?

2 Parts Fun. 1 Part Business.  The idea that we need to take life so seriously or we need to always have our “best” foot forward isn’t true to our human desire to connect authentically.  You actually accomplish less. By viewing the world through the lens of 2 parts fun you are allowed to think outside of “the way things have always been done” and connect with ideas and people in disruptive ways.

What’s the one brand you’d want to help build their social capital more and why?

Virgin – because I know someday we will be changing the world side by side with Richard Branson.

As a local and loyal Colorado native, Eric has a driving passion to help local businesses gain an economic foothold nationwide and beyond. His background engagement in the community, college, and abroad has allowed him to gain unique insights into what drives people and creates loyalty across organizations. Eric has a skill set in strategically scaling companies by interesting people where they are at and crafting messages that compel them a community instead of using antiquated fear of loss or other messages that don’t resonate with today’s Millennials and those that value lifestyle over careers. In being able to bridge both the strategic, analytical, and emotional, he has a special ability to accelerate brands and build companies that are impenetrable and disruptive to industries.

 

Special Agent’s Name: Eric Sutfin

Code Name: Captain Acceleration

City Born In: Cowtown Denver, Colorado

What does Social Capital mean to you?

The premise of Social Capital means the perceived value that someone or something has in their sphere of influence. This could be from someone’s recommendation for dinner plans to the Homecoming King or the next phone case you buy.

 

Historically “Social Capital” has meant the social reputation that you have as a person in your community or your brand has in the industry. We first recognized a brands social value by the amount of stars it had. Originating most commonly with Ebay and now widely adopted from hotels to Amazon products, we know and trust what other people have to say about a product or service.

 

Simply, if they like it, we should. Why would so many people be sitting on the patio? Why would people take the time to leave a great experience they had? This speaks volumes to us about a brand’s character and how others perceive them.

 

Today, we are seeing that social capital is having as much klout, if not more, than one’s financial capital. Have you ever had that friend that just gets an extra ticket to everything? Know that someone who is able to influence those around them to do incredible things without having to foot the bill or actually do the hard work? We call this “Social Capital” and we see it have increasingly more weight in people’s relationships as they desire depth, authenticity, and connection – none of which money can buy.

 

How do you see it?

How do you live and display social capital in your daily life?

Those around me from my friends, colleagues, and business associates and clients would be able to share this best. In my eyes, getting involved with the Lower Downtown District here in Denver Colorado to help influence the local community and its next steps to ReThink how Colorado is the epicenter for innovation is one way. Another might be how I live my life in an attempt to act as a role model and influence those by my actions, values, and expectations for those I associate with.

How would you like to see Social Capital implemented more in our society?

I would like to see that people look at their relationships and the quality and depth of those on the same level if not with more gratitude as people do another’s finances. Which is really more important? I see money as where you are today and that can change really quickly in comparison to someone’s character and values.

 

As an example, why shouldn’t servers be able to rate their customers just as customers can rate their service and the restaurant? If someone is unnecessarily arrogant and rude, shouldn’t that influence the ability to shop or eat at a location?

 

Overall, there are many ways that I can see how the concept of Social Capital should be leveraged in our daily interactions from our credit score, ability to get a loan, what bars or clubs we get into to events we can attend.

What’s the one brand you’d want to help build their social capital more and why?

I would be thrilled to help Jaguar increase their social capital. They have has a reputation in the past and with the rise of Millennials and their shopping habits I believe I could help them align with the transformed brand and its new, fresh look.

 

There are many outlets to express creativity. While Alex has always been drawn to explore all of these outlets, his natural talents always circled back to doing so visually. Being innately creative with a very analytical approach to any project it became apparent that his skillset was uniquely curated for the world of design, there was never really an alternative career avenue for Alex. Out of the gates upon graduating from Colorado State University he took every opportunity he could to expand his portfolio and experience through freelance work with clients ranging from Natural Chefs to Opticians to a range of local bands in the Fort Collins Area. It eventually came time to shift into high gear and make the move to Denver. This booming ecosystem of bold, progressive culture continually inspires him to propel his skills and become a holistic, multifaceted professional. Alex sees every new project as an opportunity to re invest his efforts back into our thriving, entrepreneurial city.

 

Special Agent’s Name: Alex Simansons

Code Name: AXILLA

City Born In: Colorado Springs

What does Social Capital mean to you?

Social Capital is the value of a person or entities’ reputability amongst it’s peers, colleagues, clients and consumers attained by genuine display of integrity and pride.

How do you live and display social capital in your daily life?

By making a conscious effort to let someone know they are being heard when expressing their needs weather they pertain to a particular project or life in general. I have always been a very observant individual and gauge all perspectives. Above all I never undermine the importance of believing in every single person who has the courage to believe in themselves and what they are doing, they will more than likely be a positive acquaintance for someone in my network.

How would you like to see Social Capital implemented more in our society?

By eradicating the bullshit. It seems that as a society, we have grown accustomed to being skeptical of the legitimacy of other people and businesses. This is why it is important to praise those that genuinely emphasize being the best they can at what they do while positively impacting those around them where they can.

Why is our mission and your contribution to Social Capital Agency so important to you?

It is my job to harness one’s message and translate it visually in a way that will resonate with the right audience in the right light. I aim to use my skills and talents to help propel those exceptional people and businesses to a platform where they can act as examples to those like them as well as mutually benefiting one another.

What’s the one brand you’d want to help build their social capital more and why?

I would love to help ‘Mountain Bike Project’ build their Social Capital. ‘MTB Project’ is an organization / mobile app that informs riders of trail maps, conditions and news. They are appealing to me in regards to social capital for their emphasis on the community of mountain bikers and bringing together clubs and groups for trail maintenance and just riding together.