Sharing stories is one of the best ways to learn from others. Stories motivate us to innovate, create and chase after our own dreams.
Each of these Cherry Creek women, business owners and change-makers have their own unique stories—ones that convey a sense of hope and liberation. As you learn more about these strong women, we hope you feel inspired and empowered to live your best life.
Anuschka Pashel, founder of Bloom by Anuschka
CR: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.
AP: I started Bloom out of my garage when I first came to Denver in 1999. While I'd worked in studios and workshops prior, this was my first business. I had a creative vision to bring everything beautiful and wonderful together in one place. When I had the opportunity to add a retail location, I worked hard to bring it to life. I bought from all over the world—candles from Morocco, pillows from Uzbekistan, jewelry from India—so that people in Denver could have a truly unique and beautiful environment. I started designing my own jewelry for the shop. Now, I'm starting to take up painting, so who knows what will be next.
CR: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
AP: Before I met my husband, I was first friends with my mother-in-law. She made gorgeous pottery that I wanted for my shop.
CR: What are you working on now?
AP: We’re moving into a gorgeous new space in Cherry Creek North, just over on Second Avenue and Steele Street. There’s a lot of work that will have to be done, but once everything is set, it’s going to be stunning. We’re hoping to open our doors at the end of October.
Deviree Vallejo, real estate advisor at LIV Sotheby International Realty
CR: What’s your greatest accomplishment?
DV: I have been a top producing real estate agent in the Denver market for many years now, which was a goal from the day that I became licensed. The majority of my business is from referrals, which is extremely important to me because it means I am providing a positive enough experience to my clients that they continue to refer me to their friends, families and co-workers. On a side hustle note, my development partners and I currently have about 200 units in planning or under construction, ranging from townhomes to an extended stay hotel. Development has always been a strong interest of mine.
CR: What would your dream home look like? Where would it be located?
DV: My dream home will be in close proximity to both mountains and water, so we have many options for outdoor activity. I want to own acreage for my kids and dogs to run around as well as accommodating my massive vegetable garden and my desire for more animals. The actual house isn’t as important for me as the location. I can appreciate many different architectural styles and types of homes.
CR: How will you know you’ve made it in life?
DV: I look at it as a daily occurrence and always ask if I am being the best version of myself. Hopefully, I say yes more than no. I’m a work in progress but the goal is to always be improving. ABI instead of ABC is way more important in my book.
Alicia Moore, founder of Tenth & Spruce
CR: What led you to a career in fashion and design?
AM: I’ve always had a love for clothing, but for me, it was less about "fashion" and more about how clothes make me feel. That said, I do not have a background in fashion or design. I have a background in marketing. I've worked on behalf of some amazing lifestyle brands. I study brands, founders, and their stories, so I've always known I was going to start my own company. My ah-ha moment happened one ordinary day when I was putting on an old blazer that I got from a thrift store. The blazer was a man's coat, which at some point was tailored to fit a woman. It was made by a company called Saint Laurie, which as far as I know only ever made clothing for men. That is when it dawned on me that women don't have the same quality sports coats and jackets that men have. I saw this need and decided it was time to give women the blazer they deserve—jackets to not only rival the men’s but surpass them in design and quality. In 2019, Tenth & Spruce was born.
CR: What does a blazer mean to you?
AM: To me, a blazer is a confidence cloak. It's something you can put on, over just about anything, and it instantly transforms your outfit. Maybe it's the strong, angular shoulders or the straight line of a lapel, but it somehow justifies whatever else you are wearing and makes you look like you have it all together.
CR: What’s a quote you live by?
AM: "I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream," by Vincent van Gogh. As an entrepreneur it's all about the dream—the dream to create something, to build a better future, to contribute to society in a meaningful way. It also speaks to the fact that we don't have to have it all or know it all. We just need to have an open mind and be willing to dream.
Katerina Jeng, co-founder and strategic director at Spectacle
CR: How did you get started in marketing and what led you to Spectacle?
KJ: I fell into marketing after graduating early from Cornell University with degrees in English and music. My first job out of school was marketing for Yahoo and Flickr, and while I gained necessary experience working in tech, I realized I did not fit into the corporate world...I was also experiencing my own identity journey and discovering what it means to be a queer, first-generation, Filipina-Taiwanese-American woman. Making the decision to become my own boss was pretty easy. Once I founded Spectacle, the focus on representation and inclusion in marketing came organically. I’ve always been passionate about cultivating a community for people who don’t thrive under dominant systems of power, and when the pandemic and the largest racial uprising of our generation hit in 2020, there was a collective awakening to the importance of this, too. Since then, we’ve taken off.
CR: At Spectacle, you focus on inclusive marketing. What does that mean to you?
KJ: Inclusive marketing means representing people of diverse races, gender identities, classes, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and perspectives; and making them feel recognized and validated through content and campaigns. This includes being at the forefront of ever-evolving inclusive language, visually showcasing people of all walks of life, understanding our current socio/political/economic landscape, partnering with people of marginalized groups, and most importantly, ensuring inclusive values are at the heart of a brand, and that organizations are taking concrete action towards collective liberation.
CR: What’s something people don’t know about you?
KJ: I am weird! As I learn to shed my people-pleasing tendencies, I find I have less and less tolerance for code-switching and “performing” the person I think I should be. When I feel safe around someone, I’m silly, playful and wild. As someone who works in media, I think it’s crucial to remember that what you see is a projection of what people and companies want you to see. While I strive to be as open and vulnerable as I can online, you simply can’t capture the weirdness and multiplicity of a person in an Instagram post.
Amy K. Wright, owner and founder of Amy K Wright Photography/Tell it Well Greeting Cards
CR: Why did you add cards to your business?
AKW: When I first started my business, I wanted to provide photography services, and I was passionate about creating a product that could provide a tangible way for me to create good in the world. In 2016, Tell it Well Photo Greeting Cards was created with the mission of helping other female entrepreneurs around the world through small business micro-loans. A percentage of every card purchase goes to provide small business loans to women in poverty in the US and around the world through the Whole Planet Foundation. It has been a dream come true for me to share my art through my cards and provide a way for people to connect through the act of giving and receiving a handwritten note.
CR: What makes the perfect photograph?
AKW: This quote from photographer Paul Caponigro sums it up: “It's one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it's another to make a portrait of who they are.”
CR: What motivates you?
AKW: My passion to empower other business owners to tell their story well through beautiful, authentic images that reflect their spirit and personality, engage their customers and grow their business is the heart of what motivates me.