Something Independent Announces The Whole Works as Winner of The 2015 Wright

October 21, 2015 | By Business Wire News

DENVER

The 2015 Wright was awarded Tuesday night to The Whole Works, based in Rifle, Colo. The Whole Works is a Colorado-based clothing production facility serving emerging designers, and is dedicated to creating dignified jobs for women who are transitioning from federal assistance.

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Four co-founders of The Whole Works: Julia Marshall, Kelly Alford, Sadye Harvey, Janie Rich Millie (Photo: Business Wire)

“We want to bring American manufacturing back to the U.S. We want to replicate what we’re doing in Rifle — rather than building one $40 million business, we want to build 40 $1 million businesses, lifting up 40 rural Colorado towns,” explained Kelly Alford, founding partner, The Whole Works, which has been in business only 10 months.

Reactive Adaptations from Crested Butte and The Public Works from Denver were also named finalists.

Presented annually by Something Independent, The Wright is awarded to a Colorado company that is leading at the intersection of lifestyle and commerce.

“To have the opportunity to come together and recognize these innovative Colorado companies is energizing,” said Chuck Sullivan, Something Independent. “It’s an honor to celebrate them and the role they play in shaping the state’s economy and inspiring the next generation of leaders.”

The 11 contenders were selected from a statewide pool of 125 nominees. Each company submitted a video conveying their vision and inspiration, while highlighting the role that Colorado plays in shaping their company, and the videos were the basis of the judging.

“These 11 contenders are real examples of Colorado companies driving our statewide economy and helping to put a national spotlight on Colorado as not only a great place to live and play, but also a great place to start and grow a business,” said Luis Benitez, director of the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. “It’s exciting to see such amazing companies thriving and providing products and services that Coloradans and our state’s visitors enjoy in their daily lives.”

The 11 Colorado companies contending for The 2015 Wright included:
Colorado Yurt Company, Montrose
Deerhammer Distilling Company, Buena Vista
The Infinite Monkey Theorem, Denver
Kota Longboards, Denver
Osprey, Cortez
The Public Works, Denver
Reactive Adaptations, Crested Butte
Tenkara USA, Boulder
Topo Designs, Denver
The Whole Works, Rifle
Wild Goose Canning, Boulder