Preston Bishir
Co-owner of Wobble HiFi
Age: 28
Location: Fort Collins
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I grew up in Marion, Ind., before moving to Fort Collins with my wife, Leah, in 2019. I studied jazz guitar at Ball State University and restoration ecology at Colorado State University before ultimately combining my passions for music and hospitality to co-found Wobble HiFi with my business partners, Miles Storm and Danny Gentry. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to develop my approach to hospitality and business under the guidance of many mentors.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
Most of my career has been in hospitality and carpentry-related fields, with furniture-making remaining my favorite. Some of the experiences I’m most proud of include managing a coffee shop through the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as taproom manager for Hello Brew Co. during its early growth and co-founding Wobble HiFi. With the help of my furniture-making mentor and close friend, Nate Lamb, my business partners and I built the bar and nearly all of its furniture by hand, and that is something I am immensely proud of.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
I believe collaboration is essential to building community. I try to use our space as a conduit for others to succeed, whether that means offering it free of charge to new businesses, supporting employees as they pursue their own goals or creating a welcoming environment for people who may not feel that elsewhere. I also try to use our business and online platform to bring attention to social issues that deserve greater awareness. I believe it is more important than ever for communities to come together in support of one another.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
Without a doubt, opening Wobble HiFi is my proudest professional accomplishment. At nearly every stage, we faced obstacles that felt impossible to overcome, yet we persevered. What makes the accomplishment especially meaningful is that our community stood behind us every step of the way, nearly beating down the doors of the city. They advocated for us, supported us and helped make our opening possible. It showed me the power of community and collective belief.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I hope to have opened at least two more bars (one is already in the works). I believe Fort Collins is hungry for more intentional third spaces, and I’m committed to creating them. In 10 years, I hope to spend as much time as possible with my wife and son while building a business focused on custom hospitality buildouts. Thoughtfully made spaces are deeply important to me, and I want to help others create them.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Slow down and be proud of yourself. Denying yourself those things is detrimental to both yourself and everyone who loves you.
Tell us something unique about you.
I have heterochromia, which means I have two different colored eyes: one green and one brown. I also never finished either of my degrees, so I like to joke that instead of one full degree, I ended up with two three-quarter degrees.
What events do you host at Wobble HiFi to support other creatives and entrepreneurs?
We regularly host events that support local creatives and entrepreneurs via pop-ups and free use of our space. Some businesses include the Fort Collins Coffee Collective, Lou’s Fast Foods, Ruins Books and a few other rotating guests. We host a monthly makers market called The Index—named after Marx’s idea that creative output is a fundamental human need—which gives local vendors and artists a platform to share their work with the community. We also host listening parties for musicians releasing new albums, providing a space for them to celebrate their art and connect with a broader audience.
Why are you passionate about supporting local musicians?
Music has been one of the most meaningful and identity-shaping parts of my life since I was a child. It is my favorite art form because of how much it can create connection and a sense of home. Healthy communities need artists, as artists are major players in shaping the culture of where they live. Supporting local music is an investment in the soul of our community. My favorite Fort Collins bands and musicians are Bitchflower, Old Skin, W.G.F.Y., M. Sage, Rayonism, DJ Skinny Rabbits, The Crooked Rugs and Mofie.
