Meet Trailblazer Heather Garbo

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

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In Fall 2015, I took a career hiatus to stay home with my kids after many years working at a community development nonprofit organization. But I was finding I was going a little crazy without using my working/writing brain.

I’ve long been passionate about supporting local businesses as I strongly believe these businesses shape not only our community’s character but also our everyday quality of life.

For example, I live two blocks off Tennyson Street and, especially as a stay-at-home mom, these businesses became an integral part of our world. It was where we went for a much-needed storytime break, for a cup of tea, to buy gifts, for a yoga class, or even for an ice cream treat. The businesses helped me to feel less isolated and more a part of the community even though I spent a good chunk of my day alone at home with my kids.

Though you don’t need to be a stay-at-home parent to feel isolated. This can be the case for entrepreneurs working from home, for new retirees, for area newcomers, or even just those who are a little more introverted. But, visiting the local bookstore or coffee shop can help you feel more connected to your community. They become our gathering places outside of home and work.

And to continue to benefit from the quality of life that these businesses give us, we need to patronize them, or one day they will be gone.

I knew there was no longer a Denver resource for identifying which businesses and shops were independent, so I decided to create the hyperlocal blog, Denver Dweller, to highlight our local businesses as well as life in Denver.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’d recommend to anyone who is a solopreneur, freelancer or working independently in some way to surround yourself with a strong network of people.

I built my career in communications, but the blogging world was new to me and it’s definitely been a learning process. The double challenge of learning along the way and working independently could be discouraging at times.

Some days, I’m not sure if my perspective makes sense outside of my own head and other days, I find my motivation slipping. I’ve often wished there was someone sitting nearby to just bounce ideas off of.

What I’ve found is when working independently it’s especially important to surround yourself with a strong network of people who support your goals even if they’re not always right there working directly with you. I have a small network I turn to for advice, strategy, brainstorming or even just on days when I need a little cheerleading. And I’m now fortunate to also have some fantastic contributors who are also a part of that network.

So, even though I work independently, I’m definitely not doing any of this alone.

We’d love to hear more about Denver Dweller.
Denver Dweller focuses on highlighting and promoting locally-owned independent businesses, especially local shops. The businesses we feature are helmed by Denverites who might be your friends, neighbors or acquaintances. And they aren’t just in the business of selling… our local businesses are also community builders.

Local businesses serve as gathering places. And they also frequently create community-building events, whether on a small in-store scale or on a larger scale, like the annual Tennyson Trick or Treat which packs the street with hundreds of kids in costume. These businesses contribute to Denver’s sense of community in a big way. Yet, I don’t think everyone realizes how much being a small business owner can be a labor of love for your community.

I frequently think about a conversation I had with one local shop owner who has two very popular stores yet he confessed that it wouldn’t be feasible to keep his shops open if he didn’t also have the support from his spouse’s income. And people love his stores!

Every month I see that Denver Dweller sends thousands of visitors clicking through to local businesses, so I know I can feel good about doing our part to build awareness of supporting our local businesses and helping these businesses thrive, which, in turn, contributes to a thriving local community.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
Yes, certainly there are challenges, but there are also so many opportunities for women, especially if they have a strong network of female support, whether that’s a professional mentor, a mastermind group membership, or even a friend who cheers on their successes and validates their challenges.

One thing that I believe working mothers, in particular, are well-positioned for is following an entrepreneurial path. There is no one who’s learned to multitask and balance her time better than a working mother who’s had to breastfeed an infant while conducting a conference call or care for a sick child while working from home. I think that maybe why so many professional women who become mothers are finding success by pivoting to an entrepreneurial role. I know countless women who, upon having kids, left successful careers working for others to start their own business. And while I don’t know a single business owner who ever truly mentally clocks out, I think so many working mothers have learned how to balance that time well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.denverdweller.com
• Email: heather@denverdweller.com
• Instagram: /denverdwellerblog
• Facebook: /denverdweller

Image Credit:
headshot by Darcy Varney Kitching; all others Tory Riter/Denver Dweller

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