“Most people don’t recognize opportunity when it comes, because it’s usually dressed in overalls and looks like a lot of work.” Thomas Edison

LIKE MOST PEOPLE, my life has been filled with countless surprises and unexpected turns. I’m one of the fortunate ones. Because while I usually dream big, I could never have predicted I could be in such a great situation. It wasn’t an easy path, but I would not change one thing in my life. Each experience, for better or worse, has molded me into the person I am today, and I couldn’t be happier.

I’m aware I have been afforded a number of opportunities some could only dream of. Professionally I have been blessed to spend my entire professional career working in sports. The journey began with a dream as a teenager, growing up in Auburn, Washington, to work in sports or photography. Who would have guessed I would get both?

That dream led to an education and my first job as the Sports Information Director at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. That was followed a job with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletic department, a position as Director of Public Relations with the Kansas City Royals and my current position as the General Manager/Editor of Huskers Illustrated Magazine. As if that wasn’t good enough, three years ago opportunity came calling – literally.

After six years with the Royals, I was ready for a change. I was spending 200 nights a year at the ballpark and stress was taking its toll. I wanted to move back to Nebraska but wasn’t sure how to make that work. Determined to figure it out, I took a leap of faith, resigned from what seemed like a dream job and started cleaning out my office.

I had spent countless hours developing a career to land a position with a professional sports team and now I was walking away. I sat in my office at Kauffman Stadium, basically as a free agent, not knowing what would come next. I couldn’t help but think how it all started. As Brad Pitt says in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, “I guess that’s what happens in the end, you start thinking about the beginning.”

Within the hour of giving my notice, my friend Jason with the New York Yankees called. Completely unaware of my new situation, he called to get my advice on helping the Yankees find a designer to help produce their media publications. After a number of names went through my head, I gave him one … mine.

That was the birth of Barnstorm Creative. And while it would take a few months to officially adopt the name, work was underway within days for our first client – the New York Yankees.

It’s a little backward from how you imagine starting our own business, but those twists and turns are what make life so much fun. Barnstorm Creative has given me a venue to work on all of the things I enjoy – publications, graphic design and my life-long passion of photography. My clients, whether they are major sports organizations, or parents looking to capture moments with their children, receive unbridled passion and an effort to produce creative, inspirational work.

This business venture has only been possible because of the efforts of countless people, including colleagues, friends and my supportive family. Of course, this would never have a chance if it weren’t for the patience of my wife, Jen, who has to endure some quiet nights while I bear down in front of a computer screen.

While, you may find smarter and more creative people, I believe it will be difficult for you to find somebody that will work as hard.

I hope we can chat or work together soon!

Aaron Babcock

402-613-2177