Rising Stars: Meet Cassandra Allen Brown of Denver’s Central Business District.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Allen – Brown.

Hi Cassandra, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I learned to crochet as a child in an after-school program and immediately became hooked! LOL! Anyway, after I entered high school, I put my yarn and hooks away and didn’t pick it back up for several years. When I turned 40, I became very ill and was diagnosed with Lupus. At the time, I had a very highly stressful job as a legal assistant for a large litigation law firm and decided it was time to quit my job and get my health in order. I did.

Picked up my yarn from where I had stored it in my closet, and began crocheting again. LOVED it! Very relaxing, and all was right with the world. I hosted a large yarn event in a shopping mall. Women crafters and yarn lovers came from all over the city for that one special day. Big success. I decided to open a yarn shop. I am a #downtowngirl always have been since I was a child, shopping and going to the moves with my dad downtown. Then I began working in a law firm downtown at an early age and stayed downtown for several years.

I opened my yarn shop in downtown Denver not really knowing what to expect. I only knew that there were a large number of women who loved yarn as much as I do and wouldn’t it be great to meet them over their lunch hour, after work, and while on a break from whatever meeting they might be in town attending. So, I located a space in a high-rise condo building and signed a lease. Although the location was decent, I discovered that the landlord was stealing from me! After filing a police report and speaking with the Detective assigned to the case, I decided to relocate.

I moved closer into the Central Business District. You know what they say: Location, location, and location. Yep! That did it! I have been in the Central Business District ever since. Love it, and so do my customers. They just walk in and are so very excited to be there!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, I learned by trial and error simply because I had no idea what types of yarn my customers would want to purchase. Also, my first landlord was a thief, and that was an obstacle, and then marketing was another issue that I learned how to master over time.

When you first open a retail business, everyone from Facebook, Yelp, to Comcast is trying to get your money! So you learn really quickly the best resources for your budget and also the best free advertising! The next challenge is just balancing your time between your day job, family, and your business. I always tell everyone considering opening their own retail business; don’t quit your day job! After thirty-three years as a litigation paralegal, I was blessed to be able to leave that behind and work, operate and manage my dream job as a yarn shop owner.

The sheer joy that you receive from being able to truly assist your customers in the manner in which they deserve is priceless. At the end of the day, hospitality and customer service excellence is the way we do business over at Yarn Shoppe Denver. Our Faith allows us to overcome any obstacle and all challenges.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am overjoyed to finally feel comfortable saying that not only am I an artist, but I am also a fiber artisan, indie dyer, knitwear crochet designer, yarn shop owner and soon to be published, author! And, if that were not enough, I am the official Travel Concierge for Knit and Crochet experiences in Downtown Denver, Colorado, and multiple other cities. I specialize in planning your entire Friday night stay-cation and/or weekend getaway at a wonderful hotel which includes dinner, a fun night of knitting, and crochet, and we also include a complete pattern kit. The next morning you will enjoy a wonderful breakfast and a relaxing overnight stay. Let someone else cook and clean! You may book your travel concierge knit and crochet experience in my online store: https://yarn-shoppe.square.site/ we are here to serve you.

I would say that I am most proud of my amazing family. I literally could not do what I do without them. My wonderful husband DeForest has always been supportive of my business and love of fiber arts. He has done everything from the interior design, window displays, to working in the Shoppe when I was unable to do so. My two amazing kiddos Gabe and Taylor have worked the Shoppe, stocked the shelves, and Taylor has organized my home office desk more times than I can count! I am truly blessed to have my family, and I love them very much.

What sets Yarn Shoppe Denver apart from the rest; would have to be our relentless pursuit of customer service excellence and hospitality. We may not be the largest LYS in the city, however, we will make you FEEL like you are the only customer who needs our undivided attention to help with your yarn project. We greatly appreciate our customers!

How do you define success?
Complete joy in what you do, and being the best at it.

Contact Info:

• Email: yarnshoppedenver@gmail.com
• Website: www.yarnshoppedenver.com
• Instagram: @yarnshoppe_denver
• Facebook: yarnshoppestudio-denver
• Other: Google: https://g.page/YarnShoppeDenver?share