Michael Ryan Clark is an award winning filmmaker and photographer who has dedicated his life to creating impact driven conservation media. Documenting conservation and adventure stories has taken Michael across 6 continents and dozens of countries. Michael has contributed photos and video to National Geographic, accepted awards at the United Nations, and worked with companies such as Disney, CBS, PBS Nature, and has partnered with various non-profits. Perhaps most impressively, he has also won the high score for Pac-man in an arcade in New Hampshire. 

In his commercial work, Michael documents his expeditions to far flung corners of the earth that can last for months at a time. Due to the nature of these travels and his conservation film background, Michael is able to provide social media packages and other assets for brands that can either highlight an adventurous lifestyle, culture and wildlife, or be used as a bridge to connect brands with tackling larger social and conservation issues if they so choose. 

Michael’s documentary projects have been used as tools to change policy in DC and protect millions of acres of forest, allowed him to work closely with outdoor celebrities like Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell, and has given him lifelong friendships and connections with people of various indigenous nations. His work has also landed him the highest awards in the outdoor filmmaking space. 

Michael is a skilled survivalist, and adventure athlete. Crossing crevasses at 19,000 feet, sailing a 42 foot sailboat 1,100 miles across the pacific, rapelling from vehicles to photograph climbers of the slot canyons in Utah, and living in remote unstudied jungles are a few examples of situations where Michael's skills have allowed him to capture media in adverse situations. Michael is also a proficient Spanish speaker and lives on the road, using a Ford Transit van he has built as a mobile studio to allow him to work remotely for months at a time. While not behind a camera, you can probably find Michael on skis, casting a fly rod, or out enjoying the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of the United States and Canada.

As host of nation-wide home improvement shows and owner of a prestigious residential contracting company, Matt Blashaw has to look good on camera and on the jobsite. Matt discovered DKOTA Grizzly at his local retailer, and after trying a piece on, knew he’d found a unique brand with a prefect fit that shared his commitment to quality and eye for detail. Matt is a dad, a husband and dog owner who – like many of our DKOTA Grizzly fans – loves taking on a home improvement project that his family will enjoy. He joins our following of makers who have discovered DKOTA: musicians, brew masters adventurers; every one of them passionate about their chosen craft; all of them sharing a common affinity for the brand that shares their passion. We think there is a maker inside of every man, and every year more of them are making DKOTA Grizzly their brand… just like Matt.

After growing up on the plains of Eastern Colorado, Jordan Suter has found a home in St. Louis, Missouri. Jordan grew up playing in talent shows with his younger brother Jacob, but it took moving 800 miles to a city he had never even visited to start the chain of events that would lead to his music career. Music has always been something that took up a large piece of Jordan’s life, but always seemed to take a back seat to other obligations. Jordan was a two sport highschool athlete, played baseball in college while he completed his biology degree. So (unfortunately) playing the guitar and singing was just something that happened behind closed doors-after all of the practices and homeworks were finished. After moving to St. Louis in 2017, Jordan finally found the time and a home to express himself through his music.

After attending an open mic night at Gaslight, where he showcased some of his original songs, Jordan started to entrench himself in the local music scene. With the help of the management at Gaslight and his band mates (Kyle Ray: drums, Rick Wagner: guitar, Danny Heflin: Bass, & Aden Black: vocals) Jordan had himself a crew that rallied around the songs and made themselves available to play whatever gig or show that was thrown at them. After listening to the stories that the songs tell while partnered with the musicianship of the band, it is easy to see how there has been such a buzz around Jordan and the band. To Jordan, making music is the purest form of creation. Whether it’s playing a songwriter night in a quite low lit room, or playing to a rowdy crowd at the local honky tonk, it’s easy to see how Jordan is truly a Midwest Maker. With a four song EP that was released in January of 2020, and a batch of new songs that will be steadily released as singles throughout the remainder of 2020 and 2021, Jordan and the crew are surely something to take note of in the local and national music scene.

Hailing from a background in fine dining, Chef Mike Johnson launched his culinary career under a young Emeril Lagasse before heading north to develop his skills under the expertise of Chicago’s Charlie Trotter and Gabino Sotellino. Johnson then traveled to Paris to train at the prestigious Le Buisson D’Ardent, and served a stint under Belgian Master Chef Daniel Joly in Beaver Creek, CO before bringing his culinary expertise home to St. Louis, MO.

Today, Mike is the chef and owner of St. Louis’ Sugarfire Smokehouse, an award-winning restaurant known for its succulent brisket, pulled pork and ribs, as well as its signature sandwiches and sides. With thirteen locations (and counting), Sugarfire has consistently been ranked best barbecue in St. Louis both locally and nationally. Chef Johnson continues to establish himself as a culinary master and renowned competitor, placing 1st in the 2015 and 2018 Memphis in May World Championship, 3rd in the 2015 World Food Championship (bacon), and more recently, spearheaded a grilling demonstration at the 2018 Budweiser Big Bud Sizzle, successfully breaking the Guinness World Record for most people simultaneously grilling at one time.

Through incredible talent, creativity and innovation Chef Johnson has created his own, unique place in the restaurant industry.

A true master of his culinary craft, Chef Johnson, puts his mark on every recipe through his signature spices, rubs, and sauces. The same holds true with every item of clothing Dakota Grizzly creates. Designing a clothing line is like building a recipe... from the fabrics, we select, to custom buttons, and even our tags, we take pride in the signature details and how they come together on each piece in our line.

As third-generation Midwest Makers, dedicated to crafting your next favorite shirt, Dakota Grizzly is proud to recognize Chef Mike Johnson as our Spring 2020 featured Midwest Maker, as we continue to support all Makers nationwide.

In 2011 Kevin Lemp made his  passion for beer a profession by opening 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis, Missouri. Makers of year-around and seasonal barrel aged beers, their dedication to perfecting a handcrafted portfolio of craft brews has made them one of the fastest growing breweries in the Midwest.

To achieve the high level of quality and consistency required for success in the craft beer world, the Makers at 4 Hands have mastered the art of attention to detail.

Whether it's the perfect blend of hops and barley in a brew, or the fabric and fit of your favorite shirt, the best Makers create a product unique among their peers: a product where the details make the difference.

True craftsmen, the passionate crew at 4 Hands Brewing excel at what they do–and it shows. As third generation Midwest Makers, Dakota Grizzly is proud to recognize them, and support Makers nationwide.

A true Maker, Griffin House has been writing original music since he picked up his first guitar for $100 in high school. An Ohio-native and now national recording artist, Griffin has pursued his passion of music and worked hard to make a career.

His ability to write and tell stories through his music is truly authentic. Inspired by those around him, Griffin's lyrics reflect the stories people tell by how they live their lives. With a strong focus on family, friends and his own life experiences, he feels he can always find inspiration in someone.

As artisans, we too are inspired by those around us, to the point that each of our garments have their own name and story behind them. Griffin's originality, passion and artistry embodies all that the Dakota Grizzly brand stands for.

The wilderness of the Midwest was tamed by explorers: Rugged men who blazed their own trail and never quit. That spirit of the independence, hard work, and self-sufficiency lives on today in the families that make the Midwest their home. They are the Makers–past and present–who forged the Heartland. The story is the Dakota Grizzly story. We are proud Midwest Makers, true to our roots, passionate about our craft, and proud to support and outfit Makers everywhere.
We invite you to discover our distinctly crafted and richly detailed apparel honoring that craft.

We are excited to announce that we are partnering with makers from the midwest who encompass the Dakota Grizzly spirit. Read about our fall makers, Ryan Hanlon.

A true Makers, Ryan Hanlon's love for cars was passed on to him from his father Jim 'Pops' Hanlon. Together in their garage workshop they continue the family tradition of restoring beauty and original factory detail to iconic American cars.

Ryan's passion as a Maker extends to film production, inspiring him to start the award-winning company, Route 3 Films. Hours of dedication and commitment go into both these pursuits, producing a final product that is the embodiment of his hard work and skilled craftsmanship.

No surprise then, that Ryan chooses a brand born of a heritage of family tradition–a brand that reflect his rugged independence and attention to detail.

We truly understand the importance of these values and, like Ryan, put the same passion and dedication into every Dakota Grizzly piece we create.

The Hanlon's story is our story.

As third generation Midwest Makers, from a 75 year history of garment making, we are proud supporters of Makers across the country.

We are Dakota Grizzly.

If you'd like to be considered a partner with Dakota Grizzly, contact us.