We had the good fortune of connecting with Graham Casden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Graham, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our mission at Ocean First is to create and support a community of ocean enthusiasts who are passionate about experiencing and preserving our marine environments. Ocean First is reinventing the dive industry by shifting the paradigm and creating education impassioned environmental stewards. We offer swimming, diving, traveling, youth programs and marine science camps, all the while being the only B-Corp in the dive industry. Founded in Boulder, Colorado and recently expanding to Key Largo, Florida, we strive to protect all of our waterways from the mountains to the mangroves. Ocean First is committed to using business as a force for good and we’re mindful of how our business practices affect our community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Historically, I really enjoyed working on marketing and developing the Ocean First brand, but over the last few years I’ve moved more into strategic partnerships and forging alliances with like-minded businesses striving for similar goals. I also love filming and have shot a lot of the content in our courses and training videos. But, truthfully, it’s been a while since I’ve filmed underwater, so a bit too much email and slack of late.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If we could, we would spend all of our time at our dive shop Ocean First Key Largo or at Marine Lab with our friends there. But, admittedly, we do need to venture out of the water.

Coffee: One Grind (their mocha is divine!)
Breakfast: Mrs Mac’s Kitchen
Lunch: Eco Eats
Sunsets, Dinners + Live Music: Snook’s (highly recommend “The Lychee”)
Staff BBQ’s are also high on our list of faves!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Over the years, there have been a lot of both people and organizations that have been instrumental in helping Ocean First grow into the #2 SSI dive center in North America. As a mentor, no one was more influential than Doug McNeese, former President of SSI. Doug enthusiastically shared his decades of industry insights and, in doing so, helped Ocean First become one of the premier dive centers in the country. Additionally, our recent expansion to Key Largo highlights one of our key partners in Florida, Ian Koblick and Marine Lab. Situated less than a mile from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Marine Lab has been offering science camps for middle and high school students for over 30 years and brings that wealth of experience and knowledge to our rapidly growing partnership.

Website: https://www.oceanfirst.blue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocean.first/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocean-first-divers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/divecolorado

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OFDBoulder

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/oceanfirstdivers

Other: https://www.oceanfirst.blue/about-ocean-first/green-initiatives/

Image Credits
All photos are ours.

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