Steve (‘95, Speech Communications) and Amy Bohner’s journey from Humboldt students to successful entrepreneurs underscores the profound impact that their education and experiences at Cal Poly Humboldt had on their lives. They continue to contribute to the Humboldt community, blending sustainability, creativity, and a strong sense of place in everything they do.
Steve’s introduction to Cal Poly Humboldt was through a friend and his love for soccer. He quickly immersed himself in the punk rock scene, becoming a DJ for KHSU before it became a public radio station.
"We played punk rock music and invited bands to come play in Arcata," he says. Among the bands they brought in were soon-to-be legends like Green Day. Thanks to the support of the station's general manager, Parker Van Hecke, this experience was crucial for Steve, teaching him valuable lessons in organization, professionalism, and community engagement.
His time in the Speech Communications department, marked by influential professors and hands-on experience, was instrumental in shaping his future endeavors.
“I learned so much as a Speech Communications major. I didn't necessarily like speaking publicly, but we had to a lot, especially for the radio.”
For Amy, who attended Humboldt as a Child Development major, a visit to the North Coast put her on a path to Humboldt.
"As soon as I moved up here, I knew I would stay here for the rest of my life, and luckily, I met someone that feels the same way," she says.
She cherishes her experience in the Child Development lab, where working with children and observing them through a two-way mirror provided invaluable learning opportunities for students.
“I loved working in the children's lab. We would observe the children's behaviors and then how the staff responded. It was so useful to see how situations were handled in real-time, and I feel like I learned a lot from that experience,” Amy says.
Steve and Amy have nothing but praise for their time at Humboldt. Steve highlights the supportive environment that allowed students like him to take on significant responsibilities, encouraging a sense of professionalism and community.
“When I look back on my time on KHSU, I realize how much freedom Parker Van Hecke gave us—these 17-year-old and 18-year-old kids. It feels like that was the best way to learn, though, you know? By making mistakes and throwing yourself into it,” Steve says.
Amy values the unique setting of the campus, nestled in nature, which provides a holistic educational experience.
“My favorite thing about attending Humboldt was the campus and the proximity to town, because I used to love just hopping over the bridge and getting food in town and then taking it back, and you could find so many little nooks in nature at the community forest. I loved that the whole campus is set in the redwoods, it’s beautiful,” says Amy.
After graduation, Steve founded Alchemy Construction in 1998, and Amy joined the crew soon after they met. Their firm has been integral in shaping Arcata’s landscape, contributing to iconic spots like Café Brio, The Alibi, and the Dead Reckoning Tavern.
“It's fun to build environments that allow socialization and for people to make memories," Steve says.
Steve manages the construction company, which prides itself on green building practices like solar and radiant heating installations, and utilizing recycled materials. His commitment to sustainability began early in his career, influenced by his work at the Arcata Recycling Center, and continues to be a guiding principle in his projects.
“Being sustainable, reusing, and reaching zero-waste seems like the right thing to do and it is kind of the heart of Arcata, like, if you don't, you're kind of like, ‘what are you doing?’ I think Amy goes a little bit extra and sometimes there's a higher cost to it, but The passion to, you know, stick to your guns and keep stuff as much out of the landfill as possible when you're trying to run a business, is kind of a pretty good philosophy to have,” Steve says.
In 2015, Steve and Amy expanded their entrepreneurial spirit by founding Alchemy Distillery. Amy manages the whiskey distillery full-time, bringing her passion for sustainable practices to the forefront. The distillery is renowned for its zero-waste efforts, including donating spent grains to local farmers for livestock feed and using upcycled materials like bowling alley lanes for the tasting room’s décor.
“Our construction company built this tasting room and built the distillery. There are some features that are upcycled. That's a term I really like for creative reuse. Our construction company went in and took apart the bowling lanes and made tables from the lanes, these benches, and all the facade wood,” Amy says.
Amy loves the balance of working solo on her craft and the vibrant social interactions when the Alchemy Distillery tasting room is open, making it a true community hub.
For prospective students considering Humboldt, Steve and Amy emphasize the unique advantages of attending a small, environmentally conscious college town. Steve believes that experiencing the slower pace and friendly community of Arcata, along with its natural beauty, is an invaluable part of the Cal Poly Humboldt journey. Amy appreciates the lasting sense of community and the energy of living in a college town, making it an ideal place to both study and live.