Aubrey Kruse
Owner of KidCourage, program coordinator for Colorado State University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship
Age: 27
Location: Fort Collins
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I have always enjoyed art and storytelling, but I am also driven by infusing deeper meaning and purpose into my work. It wasn’t until college that I fell in love with the timeless nature and creativity of children’s books. I then worked at Disney World, where I discovered a passion for sidewalk chalk art and using the medium to bring joy to people. My love for writing, illustration and storytelling led me to move back to Colorado to pursue children’s books, chalk art and related mediums.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
After graduating from CSU, I spent eight months working at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where I was named Magical Merchant and featured on Disney Parks’ social media for my chalk art. I now work full time for CSU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship, helping students explore their passions and learn how to turn them into a reality. I have used this to fuel my own entrepreneurial pursuits, including KidCourage, a creative brand under which I house my chalk art, window painting and school author visits. I recently published my first children’s book and am currently working on the next.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
I am passionate about helping kids know their intrinsic worth. I believe this is a message we need to hear at all ages, and I am grateful to have different opportunities to encourage that. I volunteer at multiple churches, helping with ministries from kids to college students. On the kids side, I create timelapse illustration videos that take stories, sermons and lessons and transform them into kid-friendly content that meshes poetry with art. On the college students side, I have mentored CSU students as they navigate discipleship and leadership within their volunteer roles.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
My biggest accomplishment is publishing my first-ever children’s book as an author and illustrator, “Is My Mane too Fluffy?” last October. I sat on the manuscript for five years before a friend and mentor ensured that I devoted 2025 to completing the illustrations and creating the final version. Through breaking a huge goal into small, attainable steps, I was able to create a finished product that I’m incredibly proud of.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I see myself having published at least three more books while building my KidCourage brand to include digital and printed products and materials that help kids embrace their intrinsic worth. In 10 years, I see myself opening a children’s bookstore where I also teach and lead creativity workshops and events for kids of all ages.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Let go of perfection and embrace simplicity and consistency. That is why I love chalk art. It forces you to work with every line you put onto pavement. As a perfectionist, this is daunting yet incredibly rewarding. Chalk is messy, takes time and builds on itself layer after layer, and yet, through steady commitment, it can be turned into something beautiful.
Tell us something unique about you.
One of my favorite hobbies that I recently picked up is rollerblading. There is something so freeing about being able to strap on my rollerblades and explore the trails of Fort Collins. It’s not only great exercise, but it’s such a relaxing way to unwind, be outside and spend time with others.
Why do you feel that art is a powerful tool for helping children?
Art cultivates creativity, wonder and imagination. In a world where we often become hesitant to share our creativity as we age, I believe that embracing art and storytelling throughout childhood can be one of life’s most beautiful gifts. As an artist, my goal is to create illustrations and stories that inspire imperfection, a willingness to smile and the feeling of being in the present.
What topics do you hope to explore in future children’s books?
I believe that one of the most powerful tools we have is creativity, and my driving force is being able to instill that in the hearts of kids so that they can imagine, innovate and create without boundaries. Through future children’s books, I hope to use fun and relatable characters, alongside poetry and rhymes, to tell stories that empower kids to know just how loved, valuable and wonderful they truly are.
