SHINE A LIGHT
DRUMMING UP A COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN DENVER By Michelle Loeb
Rupp’s Drums 2045 S. Holly St. Denver, CO 80222 (888) 756-5777 www.ruppsdrums.com Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Alex Simpson, Owner/Operator
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At 26 years of age, Alex Simpson is almost as old as Rupp’s Drums, the 34-year-old business he purchased from former owner Brad Telepo in April. But don’t let his youth fool you. Simpson brings to the role a work ethic and community spirit that makes him the ideal person to carry on the legacy started by Bob Rupp in 1984. “Bob Rupp is an energetic businessman who, through the force of his personality, was able to single-handedly create a customer base that still remains loyal to the store over 34 years later,” said Simpson. “Each day, someone comes in and talks about shopping with Bob Rupp.” Simpson had been a sales manager at Rupp’s from 2012 to 2015 before leaving to pursue other opportunities, including stints as manager at Rocketspace Rehearsal Studios in Denver, studio manager at The Collective School of Music in New York City and manager at Michiko Rehearsal Studios, also in Manhattan. It was his time in New York that made some of the strongest impact on the business plan he put in place upon purchasing Rupp’s. “The drumming community in New York City, though incredibly competi-
tive, was also surprisingly inclusive, welcoming and tight knit,” said Simpson. “When I made the decision to purchase Rupp’s Drums, I decided to do it in order to foster a strong Colorado drumming community, similar to what I found in New York.” Simpson continued, “The scene in Denver is young, and it’s growing quickly. There are many bands and drummers here, and it’s ripe for something like that — a place where people want to go to meet other people and be a part of a community.” To help foster that sense of community, Simpson is launching a weekly hang for drummers at the store, in addition to hosting drum clinics, masterclasses and other happenings designed to bring people together. However, Simpson’s plans go beyond simply curating a calendar of events. His focus is on making the everyday business conducted on the sales floor as welcoming and inviting as possible. “When I first worked here, I loved having my own customers who I knew by their first names, who I hung out with outside of the store and who only bought from me,” said Simpson. “I’m trying to bring that genuine, relationship-driven approach back to the store because, if I’ve learned anything in this industry, it’s that there is no shortcut to earning a person’s trust.” Simpson currently oversees a staff of eight people, including an operations manager, drum instructors, web contractors and sales associates who specialize in specific areas, such as used/ vintage gear acquisition and educational outreach. “Our entire staff is made up of working drummers with years of experience on the stage, on the road and in the studio,” Simpson noted, though that isn’t the main criteria he looks at during the hiring process. “I am of the mind that it is far easier to teach someone product knowledge, systems and sales techniques than it is to teach someone the right attitude. The most knowledgeable, experienced drummer in the world could hand me their SEPTEMBER 2018