Check Out Ken Jimenez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Jimenez. 

Ken, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born In Oakland, Ca in 1968.  I became a Hip-Hop dancer, and ultimately a professional dancer in the 1980s. I toured the country performing with likes of Madonna, Bobby McFerrin, E-40, En Vogue, and MC Hammer. 

I opened my first performing arts studio, Motion Underground, in Boulder Colorado in 1999. It was the first Hip Hop training center in the state of Colorado. I received a multi-cultural award for the program, as Motion Underground was a center that brought people together from different backgrounds, all using dance as a tool for personal growth and community. Several dancers came out of the program and went on to work with industry greats like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Pink, Brittney Spears, Chris Brown, and more. 

I worked as an Entertainment Consultant for the Denver Nuggets. I created the first Hip Hop dance crew to perform for the organization called MOB SQUAD. In the sports arena, I produced halftime showcases for fans with artists like Debbie Gibson, Young MC, Vanilla Ice, Mc Hammer, and more.

In 2012, I took a position with the Detroit Pistons as Entertainment Director in Michigan. I worked there for 7 seasons and managed a 1.2-million-dollar budget, 60 performers, and was honored to produce shows with artists such as Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Kid Rock, Flo Rida, Salt-N-Pepa, and more. Our team received accolades such as ‘Entertainment of the Year,’ ‘Best In-Game Showcases,’ and ‘Best Campaign of the Year,’ as recognized by the NBA.

From there, I joined Gail & Rice Agency in Detroit as the VP of Entertainment. I worked with top automotive and event producers in the marketing and experiential space. I produced live events and auto show productions for global companies, delivering live brand experiences. 

As the saying goes, “happy wife, happy life”, I appeased my wife’s wish to move back to Colorado. I began working with Imprint Events Group as a Sr. Creative Producer. Shortly after the move, Covid crushed live events industry, and we were forced to shift.  I opened Fifteenthreesixty, a company that provides creative, digital content, and Cool Box Ideas, a company that provides live entertainment experiences.  These two companies marry my love for producing entertaining and creative content in both live and digital environments.  

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path is never smooth! I do believe the more you know, the further you go. With no college degree, I took a longer road to educating myself and proving my value through results.  I had to learn the business and organizational goals to better understand how I could use my creativity and skillset to help foster those goals.  From entertaining 20 people to 18,000 plus people, the approach and results have always been authentic and organic, as good entertainment and presentation will naturally heighten the community experience, and help it grow. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for my audio, visual and live entertainment productions and experiences. I believe my recipe for success results from a combination of natural talent, experience, research (trends, cultures, companies, etc.) and a shared interest for a successful impact, for all my clients.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned to trust my creative process, to surround myself with motivative and passionate people, and to always be flexible! 

Contact Info:

• Email: kj@coolboxideas.com
• Website: coolboxideas.com & fifteenthreesixty.com
• Instagram: coolboxideas