Jersey Banks
Jersey Banks, grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Denver, Co. Leaving Denver after high school, she attended The New School University in New York City where she studied contemporary dance and began a lifelong love of the city. Like many graduates in the arts, she was a “starving artist”; a professional dancer, by day, and a “jack of all trades” in the city’s hospitality workforce by night. Engaging in high profile guest services, hosting events, being the scantily clad and untouchable entertainment, beverage “aka” bottle service, bartending, and even “working the door”, she caught more than a glimpse behind the curtain, becoming satiated to both nightlife and her performance pursuits. After taking a break from dance and wanting to refine her service experience into something that fed her interests in art, people, and working during daylight hours, she eventually cartwheeled into real estate. She hated it. It did, however, foster the meeting of Lyon Porter, (her soon-to-be life and business partner). In 2014, they accidentally turned a single-family townhouse in Brooklyn into a boutique hotel and lifestyle brand, Urban Cowboy Hotels. What started as a passion project for design and good conversation, became a much-needed antidote to the exclusive pay-to-play nature of the city. “The Cowboy” evolved into a community of travelers and artists. Now with 5 properties under their umbrella, the Creative Studio in Brooklyn, A luxury boutique hotel in Nashville, a lux lodge resort “adult camp” in the Catskills, a 70’s Motel, Dive Bar & Swim Club called the Dive Motel, and a downtown boutique, her hometown hero project and homage to the west in Denver, Co. As a co-founder and owner, Jersey’s role with both brands has evolved from the innkeeper of the mom-&-pop B&B in Brooklyn to overseeing operations across all locations and heading company culture. She is now focused on Brand Development through experience, merchandise, and design as the CEO of the Urban Cowboy Creative Studio. The Studio serves as the in-house creative and brand management team for all Urban Cowboy projects, private clients, and collaborations. Jersey also shares a 4-year-old with her partner Lyon.
Appears in 1 Episode
A Conversation With Jersey Banks, Co-Founder, Urban Cowboy
At Karrikins Group, we work alongside leaders to close the gap between great ideas and real results by combining business expertise with social science to help teams a...
