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Life and Work with Bridget Mitchell

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Mitchell.

Bridget, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Colorado’s Front Range. As a typical Coloradan, I cheered for the Broncos, visited Eliches’, went to birthday parties at Casa Bonita and knew north Denver before it was the Highlands.

I went to college in Boston, Massachusetts. It’s where I fell in love with travel, good wine, delicious food and the ocean. But, I missed the sunshine. After nine long New England winters, I knew I had to get back to Colorado.

I worked as a business development professional and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Reserve. I met my soon-to-be husband and we settled in Park Hill.

I’ve always loved charming boutiques and I’ve always been drawn to bright and clean design. When I saw the “For Lease” sign in my current shop window. I knew this was “it.” It’s exactly what I had been searching for.

Red Lark was born out of a desire to share an experience with others in a space where you always feel welcome and know you can find something special.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I jumped in with both feet. I signed the lease and Red Lark opened six short weeks later. I knew starting a new business would be challenging, but I was surprised by just how much I had to learn. Fortunately, my husband is savvy and I have gracious friends that offered a lot of their support.

I hired a consultant to help with a business plan, initiate a marketing strategy and draft an operating budget. Everything cost considerably more and took more time than I originally anticipated. Prioritizing is essential. You can only invest so much. I often had to ask myself, “is the juice worth the squeeze?” It is possible to remain true to your vision, but it requires planning and resources.

Ultimately, the hardest part of starting something new is finding balance in the rest of your life. There are only so many hours in the day and the juggle is real. I remind myself to be present when I’m not working on Red Lark. I appreciate and relish my time with my family and friends more than ever before.

Please tell us about Red Lark.
Red Lark is a lifestyle boutique specializing in curated homewares, unique accessories, and thoughtful gifts. There is something for everyone: women, men, babies, kids, and even pets!

I saw a need for this type of boutique. I believe that people want to shop in their neighborhood. However, I’ll never overlook the convenience of online shopping, and I’ll never try to compete with giant online retailers. All of our products are hand-picked by me and with the philosophy that it will bring either value or joy to someone.

At Red Lark, customer service is paramount and I want all of our guests to enjoy their experience.

We celebrate our artisans and vendors. We share their enthusiasm and provide a space where people are encouraged to relax and linger.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I believe most women want to encourage and support other women on their professional and personal journeys. Most of the women I know want to see each other succeed.

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Image Credit:
TheUnfoundDoor

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