Paul

CFO, Mountain Girl Organics

I moved to the USA in March 2003 from my Oxfordshire, UK home. I had been working for Denver based software company, and after brief periods working in Detroit and Dallas, I relocated to Denver.

Having visited Colorado on several occasions previously, finding a home in Evergreen became a priority for me…a peaceful dwelling nestled in the Rockies, yet close enough to my Tech Center office for a comfortable commute.

In 2006 I met Valynne and I soon learned that she had a passion for the planet and the use of natural and organic products, along with a real concern regarding the use of toxic and harmful ingredients in everyday bath and body products. From that passion Mountain Girl Organics was born and I'm very proud of what Valynne has achieved in so short a time. 

MGO has passed its year mark and is growing at a steady pace.  Valynne and I decided to become partners in the business, making me in charge of finances (her least favorite duty!).  

While it seems that there is little time to relax these days, Valynne shares my passion for the great outdoors and travel.  She does not, however, derive the same amount of pleasure when it comes to Football (Soccer in US terms), Rugby and Cricket!

I continue to thoroughly love Evergreen and Colorado.  We have both met some wonderful people, many of whom we are honored to call friends. I miss the UK in many ways; family and friends of course, but also the wonderful pubs and real beer, fish and chips, and a good curry! I have been lucky to experience many different countries and peoples, but I am quite happy to call Evergreen home..

Valynne

Founder, Mountain Girl Organics

During the winter of 2005 I chose to make the move from Connecticut to Colorado.  Heading west with a pick-up truck full of belongings was pretty spontaneous, but I went with my gut and feel it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Paul and I met a few weeks after I arrived and have been inseparable since.

My background is mainly in Human Services, having worked in mental health, eldercare, and as an intern for a youth prison in California.  I have had more office jobs than I care to remember and would often supplement my income with a bartending job on the side.  In between shifts I took college courses, eventually earning my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut.

Soon after arriving in sunny Colorado, I realized that living in a dry climate would take some getting used to.  Paul called me “Lotion Girl” back then because I would be slathering it on constantly.  It occurred to me that the best results came from ordinary kitchen ingredients I would mix using simple recipes found in magazines or books, and I was really enjoying finding healthy alternatives to the pricey and chemical-laden products in the shops.

With Paul’s encouragement, I began taking classes that focused on topics like aromatherapy, herbs, nutrition, and how to create various natural products.  Paul has been behind me from day one, motivating and inspiring me to take my passion for all things natural and make it into Mountain Girl Organics, which became official January 1, 2007.

Paul has taken over the financial end of MGO, allowing me to focus more on the creative stuff like developing new organic bath and body products, researching eco-friendly packaging options, participating in various Farmers’ Markets and other events, and sharing my vision with people like you!