Check Out Heather Dawn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Dawn. 

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in a small-town Oklahoma, I may not need to explain all the ways in which I quickly desired expansion and something greater than shame-ridden religious programming, and all the “isms” that came from rural intellect. Never feeling like I fit in, I moved to Denver after graduating from college and I spent 17 years as a commercial interior designer until I began to desire helping others experience themselves in a safe space of expression. With “a hope and a dream” I left the safety of my career and in October 2019 I opened Coco Coquette Denver. Coco Coquette is an Austin-based wig, makeup, and sparkle palace, based on the integrity that everyone is welcome, and self-expression is celebrated. From our in-house wig parties to our M2F transformations, to our accessories, we love seeing people shine in their skin! Prior to, and during the onset of the pandemic, I was enrolled in Embody Emerge‘s Queer Competency Certification and Trans*Send program to gain knowledge and information to better help support community. This also gave me a chance to do a business audit to ensure that I was operating an inclusive-minded company. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Smooth road, would not be how I would describe opening up a retail shop 5 months prior to the pandemic. Not only was it a struggle to find a space, sign a lease, and refurbish a disaster of a space (it was hard to find people who would show up to do the work), it was also extremely expensive. I completely shelf funded the whole thing and dipped into my savings to help keep the shop open during 3 months of shut down. And it continues to be a struggle, partially because we are still dealing with a very contagious virus, and partially because some of us are dealing with the trauma of it all. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Coco Coquette Denver, I am a space holder for the many clients that venture into the shop for either a full transformation experience or just finding the right wig for their vibe. I create all the custom wigs and headpieces that are sold in shop, and I get to curate a collection of accessories from other small femme-owned businesses. What I am most proud of is having clients tell me what a magical place I have created, how happy they are to know that a place like this exists (for their 12-year-old son to shop), and what a fun time they had at one of our wig parties! 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love how supportive the community is in Denver. Most people are very willing to support small businesses, help the less fortunate, and speak up for those that need elevated. What I like least about or city is how expensive and how hard it is to live and run a small business, especially during a pandemic. 

Contact Info:

• Email: heather@coco-coquette.com
• Website: https://coco-coquette-denver.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coco_coquette_denver/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CocoCoquetteDenver

Image Credits:
La Photographie
Stephanie May