Kathleen Baker

Building creative community, one story at a time

By Lexi Marshall

Kathleen Baker never expected to stay in Boulder for six years. In fact, when she moved here in 2019 from Alaska—without knowing a soul—she figured it was just a stepping stone. But as with so many who arrive chasing career opportunities and outdoor adventure, Boulder surprised her. “I moved to Boulder randomly,” she says, “because I wanted to work in the outdoor industry but also be surrounded by entrepreneurs and creatives.”

That leap of faith turned into a launchpad. Today, Baker is a multidisciplinary force in the creative world: a designer, photographer, model and brand strategist who has worked with leading names like The North Face, YETI and National Geographic. But her career began with an idea in Boulder—a town whose entrepreneurial ecosystem and inclusive spirit helped her build a business from scratch. It sparked the kind of collaboration she’s still chasing.

A Business Built on Friendship

In 2019, just months before the pandemic began, Baker co-founded Hexa Custom, a Boulder-based outerwear brand centered on sustainable, customizable performance apparel. She led the creative vision across both outerwear design and the development of a backend system that seamlessly integrated within factory operations—a feat rarely attempted, let alone executed, in the outdoor space.

“It was customizable outerwear that let your personality shine through,” she says. “And I documented everything with my friends.” That sense of community wasn’t just a marketing strategy—it was the lifeblood of the business. Photoshoots featured real friends in real gear, organically capturing the spirit of the brand. “I built our whole business around my friends,” she reflects. “It was very special.”

Hexa eventually shifted its focus and closed its U.S. operations, but the experience left a deep mark on Baker, both professionally and personally.

From Boulder to L.A.

Once she left Hexa, Baker made another bold move—this time to Los Angeles. The transition was as much about growth as it was discomfort. “I moved away from Boulder, not wanting to leave,” she says. “I had to push myself into a new environment. I knew I needed to expand my mind creatively, even if that meant leaving something I loved.”

In L.A., she continues to freelance full-time, working with early-stage companies and creative-led startups. One of her main clients is Portal° Thermaculture, a Boulder-born brand where she leads creative direction, content production and software design. She also recently joined a management team in L.A. to further develop her modeling and brand strategy work.

Yet Boulder is never far from her heart—or her workflow. “I still talk to my Boulder friends every day,” she says. “When you leave, you realize how rare it is to have a place where community just happens. In Boulder, I could join a gravel biking group and meet ten new friends in a week. In L.A., it’s a little harder to crack.”

Creative Strategy, With Soul

Across all her work, Baker prioritizes storytelling. “If there’s a story behind something—a piece of clothing, a brand mission—that’s what draws me in,” she says. “I’m not interested in mass production without meaning.” Whether she’s modeling, designing or directing, she chooses projects with intention. “Even with modeling now, I’m more selective. I gravitate toward brands I want to back personally.”

That mindset led her to collaborate with standout companies like Topo Designs and Smartwool. She recalls her shoot with Topo with particular fondness. “I looked up to them before I even lived in Colorado. Being on set with a small, passionate team and having the founder there collaborating with you is inspiring. That’s how all businesses should operate.”

A Winding Path to Passion

Ironically, creativity wasn’t always part of Baker’s plan. She studied chemistry in college, choosing science over the arts in hopes of building the kind of stability she was taught wasn’t possible through a creative career. “But I spent one day working in a lab and knew it wasn’t me,” she says. “I was suppressing who I was.”

Soon after, she moved to Alaska to work as a guide and rediscover her creative side. “I started taking design classes and thinking about what it takes to make a great jacket for a woman’s body. That’s when I realized: I can marry my love of the outdoors with my creative mind.” She eventually leveraged her science background into a strategic asset. “I branded myself as someone with a traditional education and a creative spirit. Somehow, it worked.”

What’s Next

Now 30, Baker is focused on growth—personally and professionally. She continues to challenge herself in L.A. while maintaining close ties to the Boulder community that shaped her. “Living in a hard city has built my confidence. If I can make it here, I can do anything,” she says.

Her advice for others hoping to break into the outdoor or creative industries? “Lean on your community. Reach out to your network. No one does this alone. It’s hard—but it’s possible.”

She pauses, then adds: “I cry a lot. And I think that’s important to share. Because this path looks shiny on paper, but it’s not easy. It’s just about making that first step—and trusting that your people will show up.”

For Baker, they always have.