EMILY & JOSH DRAGE
Q: What’s your occupation? Explain your career, your accomplishments and professional highlights.
A: My husband and I are entrepreneurs. I own the Life in Noco Instagram account and connect the community to local businesses while sharing things I love in Northern Colorado. We both own Ascend Media and do videography for local businesses. We love promoting local businesses and supporting our community through our work. We have worked with more than 200 local businesses in Northern Colorado so far. We love working together and getting to take care of our family together. We have two kids aged 19 months and 6 weeks old. They are our best accomplishment!
Q: Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
A: A fun fact about us is that we met in May 2019 and got married in February 2020. When you know, you know! In 2018, I found myself wanting more guidance on things to do in Northern Colorado, but I wanted it to come from a friend. There wasn’t an Instagram account like that, so I decided to start Life in Noco to share things I love and help guide people to the best spots. I’ve grown the page organically to 16,000 followers in five years.
Ages: 28 & 29
Occupation: Owners and founders of Life in Noco and Ascend Media
Q: Tell us something unique about you.
A: I love natural living, eating organic and am a hippie in lots of ways. But I also love me a marg and a cinnamon roll.
Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?
A: For Life in Noco, that would be hosting events for the community with 200-300 people in attendance. They help connect the community to local vendors who offer fun experiences, and every party is such a blast. It is awesome to see my online community in person. For Ascend Media, we shot a commercial for NBC in Denver last summer. It was definitely a highlight of our career.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
A: We will live in Northern Colorado forever; it is the absolute best place to raise a family. We would love to continue our work by supporting local businesses through Life in Noco and Ascend Media.
Q: What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Working hard and truly caring about people will get you very far in life. Don’t be consumed with yourself; think about what you can do to help others around you.
Q: How do your businesses work together? In other words, how does Ascend Media support Life in NOCO and vice versa?
A: Ascend Media and Life in Noco work together by doing marketing and videography for our local businesses. We get to do a lot of videography for the businesses who have followed and been promoted on my Life in Noco Instagram page. Josh also produces videos of all my Life in Noco events, which is so fun.
Q: What do you think has made the Life in NOCO events/parties so successful?
A: Women love to have a good time with their friends while experiencing and supporting local businesses. I love bringing those two things together to create an incredibly fun night where women are introduced to amazing businesses and get to use their services. Who wouldn’t want to get their nails done, brows waxed, paint wine glasses, get a massage, eat desserts, drink wine and so much more, all at one big party?
