At my core, I’ve always felt a deep pull to the Rocky Mountains, the rawness of the wilderness, the freedom of the high country, the clarity that comes only from thin air and wide-open landscapes. The Rockies have long been my sanctuary, where my mind clears, my heart beats steadier, and my soul feels closest to something greater.

In 2023, I set out to buy a leather duffel bag for weekend trips west to Colorado. But every option I found felt out of touch. Too many buckles, outdated designs, colors that didn’t resonate, and no real creativity. So I decided to make my own. At the time, my wife Mikayla and I had just welcomed our first child. I was working a full-time job and knew nothing about leather, startups, or ecommerce. But there was a push in my heart I couldn’t explain, something driving me beyond reason.

Around the same time, I began truly diving into the Bible. I had grown up calling myself a Christian, but it wasn’t until then that I started to know Him. Not through tradition or title, but through scripture, surrender, and relationship. As I spent nights and weekends learning leathercraft, sketching designs, and building a brand, God was working on something deeper: He was rebuilding me.

For two and a half years, Everwest™ became the vessel through which I not only created a company, but allowed God to excavate my old identity and lay a new foundation rooted in Him. Just months before launching, I was being groomed to take over a successful business, with equity, a great salary, a clear path upward, and a lifetime of financial stability. Then God spoke, quietly at first, then louder, telling me to walk away from it all. The income, the prestige, the security. Everything the world celebrates, He asked me to lay it down and trust Him fully.

So I did.

Today, Everwest™ isn’t just a leather goods brand, it’s a reflection of faith, freedom, and the untamed spirit of the West. Each bag is a rugged, refined canvas that you can customize and make your own. We have over 190 branding irons so you can burn your mark into the leather. Initials, lyrics, ski runs, bible verses, or whatever stirs your soul. It’s about self-expression. It’s about the journey. And above all, it’s about walking boldly into the purpose God has set before you.

Whether you're headed to the mountains, chasing adventure, or searching for meaning, we hope Everwest™ is a part of your story. Every scar in the leather, every brand, is a reminder: you were made for something greater. Bold, wild, and eternal.

If you ever want to talk about Everwest™, the high country, or Jesus, I’m always happy to connect.

Saddle up,

Jake Bunz, Founder