Meet Ross Shafer: Solterra’s Newest Neighbor
Originally published in the Solterra Stroll, this profile has been updated for online readers.
Ross Shafer is a man of many titles—six-time Emmy® Award–winning comedian, bestselling author, successful entrepreneur, and now, proud Solterra resident. From growing a career that spans stand-up comedy to high-stakes business consulting, Ross brings a unique blend of humor and hustle to everything he touches. With a sharp wit, a relentless drive for reinvention, and a deep love for family, Ross is a master of turning life’s detours into unforgettable punchlines.
A Family-First Funny Man
Ross Shafer might be a national name, but to him, family comes first. “I have three children—and thankfully, none of them followed in my career footsteps,” he jokes.
His son Adam Shafer owns a mortgage company in Washington and has two children with his wife, Holly. Ryan Shafer, a Digital Marketing Executive at Levi Strauss, also has two children with his wife, Anh. Lauren Shafer, the youngest, is pursuing her education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Despite his achievements, Ross beams with pride over his role as a father and grandfather.
Ross made the move to Solterra just five months ago to be closer to his fiancée, Allison Dalvit. “I absolutely love this community,” he says. “The Italian-style architecture, the scenic clubhouse, the views of the mountains, and being so close to downtown Denver—it’s everything I was looking for.”
Business Brilliance (With a Side of Humor)
Raised by a German father and a Blackfoot Indian mother, Ross learned early that resilience and a sense of humor were critical tools for success.His father wanted to fly airplanes but couldn’t afford lessons, so he bought plans for a full-size aerobatic biplane and built it in their garage—for $100. When the plane was finished, he taught himself to fly in airshows.
“My dad only had a 10th-grade education,” says Ross. “But he didn’t let that stop him from achieving great things...When I saw my dad fly upside down for 1,000 people, I knew my life had no limits.”
Ross caught the entrepreneurial bug early. By third grade, he was buying junk bikes and skateboards to refurbish and flip. In college, he bought his first house with a $600 down payment and sold it for a $10,000 profit. At 22, he bought a bankrupt stereo shop and added a pet store in the back—branding it as “Woofers & Tweeters.” ( Yes, really).
That kind of creative marketing became his calling card—and it led to buying and selling 23 businesses. “Make ’em laugh and they’ll remember you longer than any paid ad ever will,” Ross says.
From Open Mic to Emmy Gold
After a stressful week as a young entrepreneur, Ross wandered into a comedy club for relief. He had so much fun, he thought: “What if I could make strangers laugh? That sounds like a fun job.”
He obsessively studied comedy, taped late-night sets, and performed at open mics. Within two years, he was headlining. Five years in, he hosted his own Emmy-winning talk show, Almost Live! on NBC.
When ratings dipped, Ross turned to marketing again. He started a campaign to change the Washington State song to the rock anthem “Louie, Louie”. The stunt went viral, landing him on national talk shows. Esquire Magazine even gave the movement its Dubious Achievement Award.
The campaign’s success brought in new opportunities—from hosting Match Game on ABC to emceeing Days End and The Fox Late Show, competing directly against legends like Johnny Carson and David Letterman.
Ross has performed across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and even in Saudi Arabia. One highlight?
“Sharing the stage with my comedy heroes like George Carlin, Albert Brooks, Jonathan Winters, and Shelley Berman. It was one of the most surreal, validating nights of my life,” says Ross. Also in attendance? Ross’s friends Bill Maher, Jay Leno, Drew Carey, Richard Lewis, and Kevin Nealon.
A Star Is Born… and It Wasn’t Ross
While producing Almost Live!, Ross hired a quirky Boeing engineer as a comedy writer named Bill.
“He didn’t contribute much until one night our lead guest canceled. Billy said he could do something funny with liquid nitrogen,” Ross recounts. “I thought, is this guy a terrorist?”
Ross improvised: “Please welcome a staff member we like to call… Bill Nye the Science Guy!”
The rest is history. Bill Nye became a cultural icon and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Best-Selling Author (Accidentally)
Ross never set out to write books, but after repeated requests from corporate audiences, he wrote ten. Three became bestsellers:
“The other seven? They look great on a shelf,” he quips.
The Secret to Success?
“Resilience, enthusiasm, and confident effort is the difference between being fulfilled and being miserable.” Ross adds, “Getting to the summit of any profession has a myriad of challenges, lots of rejection, and taking risks. You might experience a broken dream. Just keep working. Nobody fails in their career. Some people just quit too soon.”
What’s Next?
Ross is currently a high-demand keynote speaker, corporate comedian, emcee, and game show host. He’s also working on a new stand-up comedy special. From rebuilding brands to punchlines and presentations, his story is one of reinvention—and it’s far from over. Just don’t ask him to fix your stereo or fly a biplane.
Looking to energize your team, inspire your leaders, or bring unforgettable humor to your next event?
Ross Shafer is not just a six-time Emmy® Award–winning comedian—he’s a business reinvention expert who knows how to connect with audiences on both a personal and professional level. Whether you need a motivational keynote speaker, a quick-witted emcee, or HR-safe corporate comedy that brings real ROI, Ross delivers presentations that educate and entertain.
Don’t settle for a generic speaker—book someone with real credentials and unmatched versatility. Hire Ross Shafer for your next event!