Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 8

137 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 8 vectors to growing the brand and business and establishing WBU’s footprint here in Denver.” He shares that both Tina and he are very active in community outreach initiatives, particularly to support wildlife conservation and environmental education programs. “We’ve always been on the lookout for organizations we can partner with, and ways that we can push the ball forward on things related to wildlife in general, but birds and waterfowl more specifically,” Dean explains. “We already do quite a bit of outreach, and work with a number of the rehabilitation centers around town. We plan on doing more of the same, but on a bigger scale as we grow to more locations.” Recently, the Seiferts partnered with the Denver Audubon Society, raising $2,000 to help their research and conservation efforts. They’ve also hosted the Raptor Education Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary and educational organization, which brought a turkey vulture and several other amazing birds into their store. Dean notes, “The kids can come and actually see some of these birds, up close and personal. We find it’s a great opportunity to educate people. And that’s a big piece of representing a WBU store: there are elements of conservation, rehabilitation, and an understanding that you’re part of a broader community and you have this role to play.” “Tina and Dean, they started with giving back,” says Pickett, warm-heartedly. “That’s the way to make big changes, to engage, and to bring your brand promise to more and more people.” As for the act of birding itself, Dean believes it’s a nice foray into the “wild” of wildlife science. “It’s a neat kind of hobby because you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy it,” he says. “There are multiple layers and levels of understanding to what’s going on in that little ecosystem you call your backyard.” WI LD B I RDS UNL IMI TED