Rising Stars: Meet Natasha Vasco Jacquelyn Nakamura of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Vasco Jacquelyn Nakamura

Hi Natasha Vasco, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our journey began in the summer of 2023 when we, two teachers with a passion for creativity, decided to experiment a bit. We started by creating a fun little mushroom statue and gave it a disco flair—hence the name Disco Shrooms!

What started as a playful project quickly transformed into a vibrant side hustle. We love to say we’re “Teachers by Day, Disco Queens by Night,” embracing both our educational backgrounds and our artistic side.

Our first big step was participating in local Denver Makers Markets, where we showcased our unique creations. This helped us connect with the community and gain valuable feedback. From there, we expanded our presence by joining First Fridays at Beacon nightclub and being a vendor at fun events at Zodiac Hause. These experiences not only allowed us to share our unique products but also connect with a community that appreciates creativity and fun.

Today, Disco Shrooms is all about bringing joy and a bit of sparkle to everyday life, blending our passion for teaching with our love for artistic expression. We’re excited to see where this journey takes us next!

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?
Starting a new business while being teachers has been incredibly challenging. Teaching itself is a demanding job—we pour so much energy into our students, constantly balancing lesson planning, meetings, grading, and the emotional labor that comes with helping young minds grow. On top of that, we’re working just as hard to build our small business from the ground up.

Getting our name out there has been one of the biggest hurdles. It’s tough to juggle marketing, operations, and product development after a long day in the classroom. Even when we do everything right, it can feel like progress moves slowly. Finding the time and resources to promote the business, gaining support, and creating enough buzz to help it thrive hasn’t been easy.

Sometimes it feels like we’re pulled in a million directions—trying to make a meaningful impact in education while also trying to build something meaningful for ourselves. But despite the exhaustion and the obstacles, we remain committed to both our students and our business because they both matter to us. Each step forward, no matter how small, reminds us why we started this journey.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Disco Shrooms, we specialize in creating unique disco décor—from our signature disco shrooms to cowboy hats, planters, snowmen, pumpkins, and more. Every product we offer is handmade with love and care, ensuring that each piece is one of a kind.

What we’re most proud of is sharing our handcrafted items. There’s something magical about knowing that each product brings joy to someone’s space. Our mission is to spark joy and foster a sense of community, and we love being part of events where we can connect with people face-to-face and showcase the creativity behind our work.

What sets us apart is not just the shimmer of our products but the heart that goes into making them. Every item reflects our passion for creating beautiful things that bring a little extra sparkle to life. Whether it’s a disco planter lighting up a room or a disco snowman spreading holiday cheer, we hope our pieces inspire people to embrace joy and community in every moment.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a fascinating role in our lives and the journey of Disco Shrooms. On the positive side, we’ve experienced great luck through the support of our community. Meeting fellow creators at events like the Denver Makers Market has opened doors and provided invaluable connections. The enthusiasm we received from customers and fellow artists really boosted our confidence and helped us grow. Also meeting the owner of Beacon while vending at Zodiac Hause was a game-changer, opening doors to new opportunities and helping us gain visibility.

However, we’ve also faced challenges, like encountering high vendor fees that didn’t lead to the outcomes we hoped for. Initially, these situations felt discouraging, but they taught us resilience and pushed us to be more strategic in our choices.

Ultimately, while luck has influenced our journey, we believe our hard work and passion have been the driving forces behind our success. We’ve learned to embrace both the good and the bad, recognizing them as essential parts of our story.

Pricing:

• $5 Bracelets
• $20 Disco Shrooms
• $30 Disco Masks
• $50 Disco Strawberry
• We offer a range of products to fit different budgets, ensuring everyone can add a bit of disco flair to their lives!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.discoshrooms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoshrooms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoshrooms
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@discoshrooms