Semi-Retired Life for 1984 Alum

Class of 1984 alumnus Austin Baskett enjoyed a long career within the beauty sector of business, but has joined the semi-retired life while going back to his roots as a graphic designer and illustrator as he will be a featured artist in the Denver International Airport this year.

“Yes, I am semi-retired,” said Austin. “I am now enjoying the ‘good life’ and spending my days enjoying my hobbies and the little things.”

Austin began his career working as a graphic designer before moving on to become the Creative Director at Chameleon Creative Graphic & Web Design Inc., a small boutique design firm in Boulder, Colo. The scope of his work was primarily focused on delivering new advertising campaigns and market strategies to clients in the technology sector. Austin stepped away from that position after his wife Joanna was accepted into a graduate program in Arizona. Through a professional connection he had in Boulder, Austin landed a job as the Creative Director for Styling Technology Corporation, a publicly traded beauty products company with a portfolio featuring 14 brands and 1,100 SKU’s.

Following his tenure as creative director, Austin moved on to become the Vice President of Global Marketing for American Crew, owned by Revlon. In this position, Austin was responsible for developing, executing, and managing the marketing strategies for the company along with managing a small team of employees, vendors, and supply chain partners and working with national accounts on extensive merchandising programs. He also consulted and founded a few beauty product companies.

His final career pivot came in 2015 when he joined Stars Companies, a large beauty distributor and manufacturer, as its chief marketing officer. Austin created and drove strategic initiatives for eight divisions, built e-commerce platforms and databases, and worked with chain partners to help create new and innovative products.

While Austin has stepped away from the office, he is now a driver two days a week for Via Mobility, a Boulder non-profit that helps people with disabilities safely get to their destination. He also is working on an art exhibit titled “The Art of Old Signs” which illustrates old neon signs using Prismacolor colored pencils. Click here to view Austin's website and click here to view his art online.