The first thing you notice when you enter Panache Cyclewear’s Boulder headquarters is the casual camaraderie – and calm focus of the designers, the sales chief and the operations manager. Don Powell spent a decade racing in the pro peletons of Europe, then combined his racing experience with degrees in economics and an MBA and an eye for design, then worked for a while with industry leaders before branching out on his own to found Panache late last decade. By 2010, he lured former VeloNews publisher Andy Pemberton and Competitor Group VP of Sales Kevin Burnette to join his fast growing enterprise
Panache style pays homage to cycling’s traditions while embracing all the possibilities of the new technologies. Mix in a rider’s perspective with an engineer’s devotion to quality control and their business is growing in favor with an international audience.
While still in the growth phase, the Panache core team shares a spacious office with Specialized marketing and public relations man Ben Delaney and a high end bike shop run by a former major road team mechanic. Boulder cycling and triathlon industry types from nearby offices at Retul and Competitor Group’s Velo News drop in for rides or to discuss trends in the trade. Not to forget elite riders and triathletes who consult on their team kit designs.
And all the while, these forever young at heart cyclists and creative designers remain cool and welcoming to a fairly steady stream of clients and young parents bringing tiny future cyclists along for the visit.
Photographs 1-15 and 17-20 © Timothy Carlson
Photograph 16 © Emily Zinn
Don Powell, a former European based professional cyclist, founded Panache and his positive attitude carries over to every member of the Panache team.
Andy Pemberton, operations, Don Powell, founder and CEO, and Kevin Burnette, head of sales, at Panache headquarters in Boulder.
Kevin Burnette showing design examples to the GS Universal Storage Containers team.
Kevin Burnette (with assistance from very young visitor Savana Butterfield) showing design examples to Rod Bolls, Zac Rudolph and Kirk Peterson.
Andy Pemberton showing a 'strike off' sample, describing how color match is guaranteed.
Don Powell discusses unique design and color options for a wide variety of Panache customers
Panache has a calm casual atmosphere. While father Tyler Butterfield consults on a design off camera, fellow tri-star Nikki Butterfield gathers daughter Savana while business carries on smoothly in the background.
Don, Andy, and Kevin conferring on the fly regarding the route for the lunch hour ride.
Specialized Marketing/PR guru Ben Delaney, former editor of Velo News, shares office space with Panache. The synergy of different but like minded industry types working in the office is one of Panache’s strengths.
Don Powell dialing in his bike before the ride.
Retul's Ivan O'Gorman giving the boys a bit of grief for running late
Colby Pearce, 2004 Olympic track cycling team member, versatile racer at all cycling disciplines and current Boulder coach, discusses the finer details of the ride with Don Powell.
The Boulder Cycling Collective Lunch Ride ready to roll out from Panache headquarters.
The BCC Lunch Ride cruises along Boulder’s Flatirons.
Retul Boulder area fitter Ivan O'Gorman showing off a dialed TT fit
VeloNews Tech Editor Nick Legan opening it up on the climb – Emily Zinn of Velo News, the designated photographer / chauffeur, borrowed my Nikon with fisheye lens to take the best shot of the day.
Andy Pemberton gets off a few emails right after the ride
Don Powell and Abi Mickey, Panache’s intern and a top Colorado University cyclist, work with Bermuda’s Olympic triathlete Tyler Butterfield on the Tokio / Butterfield Racing 2012 design.
Abi Mickey showing off the GS Panache women's line.
Abi Mickey and Corey Moxon - Panache clothing and sponsorship coordinators for CU’s cycling team.
