Bonsai Design, a local outdoor adventure company, founded by John Walker (the “mastermind”), performs design services and installations of world-class adventure courses including zip lines and canopy tours. Bonsai began in 1992 and in 2005 moved to Grand Junction. Business has been booming ever since. With five full time “headquarter” employees and an additional 15-25 people in the field, Bonsai creates experiences that are simply, awesome. Bonsai’s projects begin with bare property and end with an environmentally friendly zip line or adventure course. Additionally Bonsai staff works with the employees that will operate the zip line or challenge course to ensure safety of participants and environmental stewardship. It is very important to the Bonsai crew to create more than a zip line, or an experience. They are striving to create environmental stewards and provide education to those that use their creations.
The Grand Valley’s skilled workforce has proved to be an asset for Bonsai Designs. There are many skills that are prevalent in the Valley that very easily can be applied to course construction. Sarah says one of the best things about having her business in Grand Junction is “the relationships with other business owners.” Bonsai has built great, lasting relationships with vendors that supply them with industrial materials.
Living and working in Grand Junction is a huge asset for Bonsai Design. Sarah Walker Shrader, CFO, and her husband Thaddeus, CEO love being a part of the Grand Junction community. The training ground for Bonsai is vast, from the small zip line out the front door of the office to the many different arboreal species, there is always something keeping the design wheels turning. Like many, Sarah has found that the relationships that have been developed throughout the community make this a perfect place for their business and their family.