Community Spotlight (May 11, 2026)

Hey community, I want to celebrate our friend/mentor/coworker at The Tumwater

Craft District.

My first encounter with Jay was at our monthly meetings at the Craft District. Being a brand new business owner, I was a little confused by the faces around the table because I was unaware that business owners and business representatives participated in the meetings. So, clearly….I’m the oldest, and Jay…the youngest.

At first neither one of us had a lot to say or contribute….because we’re all really wondering what we are doing here and how we are going to make this new thing work.

Outside of the meetings, Jay was one of the first business associates that trusted us to create a custom mug for his big sister’s Christmas present. That may not sound like a big deal, but to a small business owner, it was a huge boost to our confidence in being a legit small business. 

As the warmer months came, I started noticing as we were walking by the outside gated beer garden, on our way to set up shop for the day, Jay was consistently outside picking up, cleaning up, and making sure the place was going to be a pleasurable experience and respectful to all our visitors. I tried to thank him, when he was within ear shot….because it’s not something I see anyone else doing on a regular basis. His actions and respect for the place goes well beyond his young years. I don’t know that I have ever seen someone serve so well.

What I really appreciate now about Jay is his commitment to not just the Tumwater Craft District, but his employer/business owner of Mount Olympus brewery. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen an employee, work so hard to bring IN the community in so many creative and unique ways that really say: ‘we want you here, doing what you love, and doing what your friends like to do.’

For example: Musicians that they host on a regular basis, trivia night, paint and sip, custom clay cups, knitters, etc… every week is something different!!

Recently, I asked Jay to be my first interview for telling stories about people from the Craft District and I gave him a couple lists of questions to ponder. Some questions looking back and some looking towards the future. Here’s a bit of our friend’s answers:

Where did it all start?

“I was born in West Jordan, Utah. My family moved to Shelton, Washington shortly after I was born. I was raised on Arcadia St. in Shelton, right down the road from the elementary school I attended. A typical rural town kid, had chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs, and such. I spent most of my time on pedal bikes with my friends who lived on the same road. Out building forts, camping and generally running amuck when we weren't in school.  I was a giant book nerd, and big time sports kid, 11 years of baseball. Spent lots of time on home remodel jobs with my old man, he was a contractor in Mason County for some time. Divorced parents at the age of 9 and all the fun that comes with that. Ya know, regular kid stuff.”

What was your little kid dream to become?

“I really don’t recall having a big dream as a kid. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Hoping to answer that question myself someday.”

Who were the people who influenced you the most?

“I mean doesn’t every little boy think their dad is a superhero? I suppose that would have been my influence as a young boy.”

Did you want to go to college?

“I grew up in the generation that was told we all had to go to college or we wouldn't amount to anything. I was told that from a very young age, and it seemed to me that I didn't have a choice in the matter. I thought I wanted to be a mechanical engineer by the time I finished high school, however upon entering college courses and getting a real look into the field, I realized it wasn't for me. I finished out my first semester at the college and was flat broke, so instead of putting myself further in debt for an unknown career, I chose to join the workforce at 17.”

What are some of the past jobs that shaped you the most?

“My first real job was building hiking trails at Alderbrook Resort in Union, WA. Hard labor has always been a strength of mine.” (No Kidding!) “I worked a lot of construction jobs, I was everything from a small engine mechanic to a trim/cabinet carpenter. The most interesting occupation was definitely my tenure as an ironworker/welder. I worked for a company that rebuilt old wooden rollercoasters. I traveled the country for work, spent all my days up to 150 feet off the ground, and got to build some very cool thrill rides. Lots of stories from the travels and time I spent on that crew.”

Did you have a teacher that inspired you in anyway?

“That would be a close tie between my grade school art teacher, history teacher, and my high school weight lifting coach. They all were exemplary people with amazing attitudes, character, and a rich passion for life as well as their role as an educator. It was hard not to admire them.”

Who currently is your role model or influencer?

“The word influencer makes me a tad nauseous. Maybe some old philosopher who didn't have a care in the world? I can’t point to any one person or entity. Just constantly practicing to be a better version of myself everyday and stay here in the PRESENT MOMENT.”

Where do you see yourself in: 10, 20, 50 years?

“I really don’t know, and that is at the same time both very exciting and slightly terrifying. I guess we'll just have to wait and see where I land, either way I'm looking forward to it.”

What’s a memorable story from when you worked on rollercoasters?

“I was working on Twisted Timbers in Doswell, Virginia back in 2017. We were in the middle of tearing apart the old dilapidated coaster, and prepping to build the new and improved version. I removed some metal panels on a support beam about 50' in the air, and found what looked like a rather large bird nest inside the space. Upon further inspection, the nest was home to a mama flying squirrel and her 6 brand new babies! Unfortunately, they would not be able to stay in their home any longer as we had a job to do. As mama disappeared to safety, I scooped the nest up, (babies inside) and placed the whole thing in a soft sided crane bag, which I then hung from the wooden structure about 20' from where I was working. Over the next 20 minutes or so, as I continued my work, and did my best to look like I wasn't a threat to squirrel-kind, mama squirrel came back up to where I was hangin in my harness. She would run along the boards, keeping a very close eye on me as I worked, and quick as a flash she would dart in the bag, grab a baby squirrel, and be gone into the trees before I could get a second look at her. 6 trips later, she had whisked all her babies away to an undisclosed tree, hopefully a much safer and quieter home than the noisy construction site they were rudely evicted from.”

Just for Fun:

Favorite Movie 

“Probably Snatch or Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, I'm a bit of a Guy Ritchie fan haha.”

Favorite Pastime

“Dead tie between playing music, and playing golf!”

Favorite Book

“I go back and forth with books, often rarely having a favorite. Most recently, I got a lot of enjoyment from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, I've been on a bit of a philosophy kick lately.”

Favorite Musician/Song

“Oh this one changes day to day depending on my mood or needs. I am very fond of This Must Be the Place by The Talking Heads, in contrast, Alice in Chains is a 10/10 band for me specifically the Dirt album.”

Favorite Hot drink

“A quality pour over/hand pour coffee! Absolutely can't be beat, bonus points if I get to drink it from Carefree Quail clay!” (Thanks for the plug!)

Favorite vacation place

“Literally anywhere, I am up for any and all kinds of adventures so as long as I am on vacation I'm good to go!”

Something you can not live without

“There is probably something but the goal is to be able to say nothing and mean it right? Trying to be less materialistic.” (Good Answer!)

Unique fact

“I'm a huge fan of type 2 fun. 30 mile hiking days with 10k+ vert, currently training for a marathon and an ultra in the future. Anything difficult that will push my limits and have me sore the next day, I'm in. Also cold plunging in frozen alpine lakes is one of my all time favorite activities, most think it's insane, I recommend it to everyone haha.”

So, community, let us watch and  learn from those who are younger, and have learned far more valuable lessons, by making their own path rather than following friends for four years. I really appreciate the wisdom he gained from stepping away from the college track to real life learning on the job. We are so fortunate to have people like Jay, who are both humble, hard working and not afraid to make his own path to a successful career— his way!

Thank you, friends, for listening and supporting people with a passion to make a difference in their communities!! You are the best!

The Carefree Quail

Check out Mount Olympus Brewing at Tumwater Craft District