"After that event, I wanted to challenge every assumption that I had."
Travis Stoliker is the Director of Marketing for premiere web hosting company, LiquidWeb. We have the honor of having him as the inaugural Black Rucksack Polestar!
Travis is 28 and a pretty ambitious guy. While attacking head-on everything he does at LiquidWeb, he also manages to write music, play hockey and design and build the famed Stoliker Pedi-cab. And I would wager that almost no one knows how to relax better than this guy… a deck with hot tub, rock concerts and downtown East Lansing are always on the table.
Travis’ Website: http://travisstoliker.com
Travis on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tstoliker
Professionally, what drives you?
-Thank you for this opportunity. Growth, learning and continual improvement are what really drives me. I enjoy challenging myself and the status quo. I get enjoyment out of growing and improving constantly.
What is the best advice that you’ve ever received?
-Change is life’s only certainty. I think that was from my father.
What do you find is the best way to unwind, relax and chill?
-Drumming and a Miller Lite.
You’re grilling out on a Saturday afternoon with your favorite brew in hand… what food do you throw on the grill?
-Steak, without a doubt. I am a huge fan of steak. I think it may be the only thing that I actually know how to cook.
When you were in high school you suffered a serious injury while playing hockey… what happened? What did you take away from the experience?
-During my senior year of high school hockey, my throat was cut by a hockey skate during a tournament in Saginaw. I lost an incredible amount of blood and had to be transported by ambulance for emergency surgery. After over 200 stitch’s, inside and out, and tying off one vein, I was able to return to hockey in a few weeks. This near death experience made me reexamine my entire life. My priorities, my desires, my goals – everything. Don’t trust (the opinion of anyone else). Live your own life. View the video of the injury here.
Your number one motivation in life is…?
-To improve the circumstances of everyone in my family and future family and to have an enduring positive legacy by having a positive impact on others.
Who was your childhood hero? Do you still idolize this person?
-My father. Yes, he is still the best man that I know.
Living and working near one of the largest university campuses in the United States seems perfect for a guy in his 20′s… do you enjoy it? Does it have any drawbacks?
-I do enjoy living in a college town with a younger demographic for many reasons. One of the main reasons being that I am a drummer and I enjoy loud music. I annoy my neighbors a lot less when they are closer to my own age and stay up late. There are a few small draw backs to living where I do, for instance, this weekend MSU is in the Final Four and there exists a very real possibility that my house will be subject to fire during another East Lansing riot. 
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would say to them?
-Nikola Tesla. I would say “You were right. Thank you and I’m sorry”
What’s the most unique and memorable travel destination you’ve been to? Would you suggest it?
-Edinburgh, Scotland. I would highly suggest it to anyone interested in learning more about our history.
What is one adventure or event that you’ve experienced that shook you at your core?
-During a senior year high school hockey game I had my neck cut by a hockey skate. It was a life threatening wound and it seriously changed my perspective on life, experiences, and time. After that event I wanted to challenge every assumption that I had. Challenge every rule that I encountered and really try to discover who I am in the short amount of time that I have on this earth.
As an avid drummer, you must have a pretty sweet kit… what do ya got?
-I currently have a Roland V-Drum kit. The TD3. At the moment I don’t have an acoustic kit and I must say that I do miss it. I will be getting a new kit after I finish renovating my basement.
What skill do you think every man should have?
-Ability to make a campfire. Now I don’t mean that everyone needs to know how to start a fire the old fashioned way, rubbing two sticks together, but I do think that every man should be able to make a nice campfire successfully.
Any personal projects you’d like to highlight?
-Currently my only ongoing project that I can think of is my 3 wheel bicycle tailgate machine. What I like to call – (the) Stoliker Pedi-cab.
