JORDAN WAGNER
Q: What’s your occupation? Explain your career, your accomplishments and professional highlights.
A: I started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising platform called Country Kickup, which provides awareness and financial support for charitable causes in the community through teaching country swing and line dancing. Our events and classes build up the community, help with personal development and create connections on and off the dance floor. I also teach classes at Aims Community College, own my own social media marketing and events business, own and manage a rental property and wrote and published a book called “New Homeowner’s Maintenance Guide” by age 25.
Q: Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
A: I grew up in Greeley with an absolute inspiration for a mother. She taught me how to be independent, caring and kind and strong in leadership. She taught me everything I knew up until I was 16 years old. After she passed, it took a village to raise a child going from 16 years of age to what seemed like 20 years in less than three hours. Though I had all the support in the world, there were still choices I had to make about who I was going to become despite the circumstances.
Age: 26
Occupation: Owner and founder of Country Kickup
Q: Tell us something unique about you.
A: I have been on staff and judged a few national dance conventions. I also have a pretty artistic drawing hand and have drawn multiple tattoos for people (including all the tattoos on my body.)
Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally?
A: One of my biggest accomplishments both personally and professionally is being able to help people in more than one capacity at a time with Country Kickup. I have the opportunity to serve some outstanding volunteers and people on my team who donate 100 percent of their time (we have no admin costs) as well as have the opportunity to serve the community through daily interactions with our students and non-profits.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
A: Continuing to run Country Kickup on both the local and national philanthropic scale (we are already becoming nationally known) as well as being intentional with my team and helping them with their personal life passions and goals. I also hope to run a massive event/community center and use real estate to help various nonprofits and those in need.
Q: What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Other people’s wisdom can truly be the best teacher. Be patient with your failures; they are some of your best learning moments. Finding a balanced heart and mind is a beautiful thing, and learning when it’s time to bring some of each to the table will be one of your most remarkable skills.
Q: Why did you choose country line dancing as a way to help people in the community?
A: I chose this because of the lifetime impact it can make. Dancing can help people with their self-worth, confidence and trust issues and help them learn how to fail and try again. It is also such a gift to see the creativity and individuality when someone expresses themselves through dance.
Q: What specific charitable causes does Country Kickup support?
A: A few organizations we dance for include Life Stories Child and Family Advocacy, The Avery Center, Harvest Farm, Realities for Children and Iron Horse Therapeutic Farm.