Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Cameron
Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Palm Beach Gardens. My mother and father were originally from Miami, and moved to Palm Beach Gardens after my father retired from the NFL where he played for the Cincinnati Bengals for 11 years. I grew up split between the two prolific landscapes of Florida. My time with my immediate family was spent on the water fishing and diving. My extended family lived in central and northern Florida where they owned ranches, cattle and race horses. My summers would be spent visiting family up north and spending time on the family ranches. It was a unique way to grow up, As a 3rd generation Floridian there is something special about the sides of Florida you dont see on a postcard far from the city skyline. The vastness of the middle of the state, never ending pastures graced with the occasional random palm tree in the center of an open field. It made an impact and offered a perceptive of simplicity that can dissapear in the heart of Floridas busiest metropolitan areas. By the time I was a teenager I had mastered spearfishing and by extension shark interactions as well as diving in the everglades alongside gators. “Florida man” activities quickly became as natural as driving on I95. After highschool I attended Mississippi State University where I played football for 4 years. After graduation returned home and began working for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and eventually was fortunate enough to continue my ultimate professional goal of flying professionally as a Commercial helicopter and fixed wing (airplane) pilot. My current position as a pilot affords me the opportunity to support our law enforcement Deputies by coordinating assets on the ground, pursuing suspects, and providing safety and overwatch for the public, as well as search and rescue efforts at sea and on land. As a rescue swimmer in the aviation unit, when I am not flying I can deploy both on land or in the water to assist in lifesaving rescue efforts. During that time I have also operated several business to include a dive charter that specialized in apex predator interactions, and a clothing brand inspired by my experiences in Florida called Coastal Cowboy. The brand is a representation of my most influential memories growing up immersed in the ocean and my families history in the Florida cattle and calving business. It is a representation of Florida as I know it, a diverse landscape that has been a proving ground for grit, and determination, while fostering the confidence to conquer the harsh environments I grew up in.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to achieve anything worth while has its challenges. Each facet of my life presents those challenges in a unique way. Life as a first responder is filled with mental health challenges. Interacting with people on in most cases the worst day of their life for whatever the situation may be has to be met with tools to ensure those feelings emotions and events get properly processed. If not, they can weigh heavily on you and be carried into other aspects of your life. On the professional side of things its nonstop. Aviation in itself is a very education heavy profession that in our line of works is combine with the additional responsibility of law enforcement. That means continual updates and recertifications on training whether it be firearms, CPR, new search tactics, etc. In addition, as a rescuer, the responsibility of physical readiness also has to be maintained.
Being an Entrepreneur presents its own set of challenges. When you take that on you’ll wear 10 different hats. Product designer, marketing, accountant, the list goes on and on. In the beginning it can be extremely overwhelming. Coming up with a clear plan and staying disciplined with a schedule has been a huge key to accomplishing what seems like a revolving door of issues as you grow and being to delegate.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Coastal Cowboy?
Coastal Cowboy is a Uniquely Florida lifestyle apparel with a deep heritage. It goes back to a time when Florida was the nations largest beef producer in the United States, and the land was harsh and untamed. The logo, a cowboy riding the back of a bull shark with lasso in hand, I believe represents the Coastal Cowboy brand perfectly.. There are a lot of Florida centrtic brands that represent unique parts of Florida, its nightlife, the ocean, its affluent areas. Coastal Cowboy is a representation of what Florida was and still is if you know where to look. It’s off the grid, it’s blue collar, with every design not based on a cliche, but a memory. A memory of mine that shaped who I am because of this place. It’s authentic, because it’s personal. Thats what I’m most proud of.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Take all the risks! Fear of failure is something I think growing up with in Florida provided me with that I was able to conquer early. It’s shaped my life. Florida is such a melting pot, and that diversity of experiences allowed me the chance to fail time and time again at a ton of different things. Whether it was sports, hunting, diving, relationships, or being an entrepreneur. If you don’t take the risk you’ll never know. That’s a simple line that can be universally applied. Nobodies getting out of this life alive, so take the risk.
Pricing:
- typical apparel 20-40 $
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coastalcowboy.shop
- Instagram: coastalcowboyofficial
- Youtube: coasta cowboy
Image Credits
Ocean shots – John Dornellas
Helicopter helmet on/visory down – Mike O’Malley
leaning up against trailer with cowboy hat on – Mike O’Malley
