Darlene Cancino shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Darlene, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about my kids. I set my alarm for 6:45am (which feels painfully early for a non-morning person like me 😅). I usually try to squeeze in 5 more minutes in bed before my 9-year-old twins come barreling into my room around 6:50am and that’s when the real wake-up call happens.
I hear them brushing their teeth in my bathroom (never theirs, of course 🙃), and that’s my cue to finally get up. First stop: a giant glass of water (I’m not a coffee drinker… I know, shocking, right?). Then it’s breakfast, either something I prepped the night before or a quick throw-together, and we all sit down to eat together.
By 7:30 we’re out the door, me still in pajamas, messy bun, and teeth unbrushed (don’t judge 😅). I drop the kids at school and then head home to get myself ready (this is when I brush my teeth) for my favorite part of the morning, my workout at CLMBR in Cherry Creek. If I don’t do it in the morning its probably not happening.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Darlene, founder of SPYTFUL, a Colorado-based brand that celebrates individuality and confidence through fashion. Colorado is an amazing place for style, we’ve got casual, we’ve got fun, and for anyone who says people here don’t have fashion, just head out at night in Cherry Creek, LoHi, Capital hill, the Art District, or anywhere in Denver. We don’t follow trends, we create them and make them our own. From Aspen Chic to Denver Street to Cowboy Elegance, SPYTFUL captures it all. And because style isn’t just what you wear, we’ve added unique lifestyle pieces for your home and hosting, too. Whether you’re exploring the mountains, grabbing cocktails in the city, or throwing a dinner party, SPYTFUL is about embracing your style in spite of it all.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was Darlene a fun-loving, carefree woman living life to the fullest, sitting front row at fashion shows, saying yes to spontaneous travel, going backstage at concerts, and meeting people from all over the world. Life felt limitless.
I got married to my wonderful husband and became a mom to my amazing twins, Richard and Alessandra, in 2015. And I did, I conformed to who society thought I should be. When asked about myself, my answer became, “I’m a mom of twins.” And my “about me” ended there. I was just a mom. The woman who once thrived in fashion, travel, and music slowly disappeared. My Jimmy Choo’s were traded for Birkenstocks (which, don’t get me wrong, I love, they’re SO comfy). But somewhere along the way, I had lost me.
But my story doesn’t end there. Fast forward to my kitchen table in December 2021…
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a moment I almost gave up. The idea for SPYTFUL was born at my kitchen counter in December 2020. I did the research, found a designer to help with tech packs, and after trying several, finally landed on a manufacturer I loved in New York. By July 2021, we were a month into production when disaster struck an explosion at the factory destroyed everything: their machines, and our finished products. I was crushed and ready to quit.
But a good friend reminded me, “Darlene, that’s your story. In spite of it all, you will launch.” Those words stuck with me. I found a new manufacturer, pushed forward, and in July 2022, we officially launched SPYTFUL.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Oh, absolutely! What you see is what you get with me. I’m naturally bubbly and outgoing, and I’ll talk to just about anyone. If you catch me in the morning car line with no makeup, hair in a bun, waving like crazy, that’s still me! (People probably wonder, “Who is this lady?” 😂). And if I’m ever quiet, it usually just means I’m lost in my head, brainstorming ideas or planning the next thing. But the second someone comes up to chat, I’m right there, fully present. I genuinely love connecting with people.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, absolutely. For me, giving my best isn’t about applause, it’s about pride in what I create and staying true to myself. My real “praise” comes when I see women wearing my designs with a smile. No words needed, just seeing how happy and confident they feel is more than enough. Praise fades, but the feeling of knowing I gave it my all and made someone feel amazing lasts forever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spytful.com/
- Instagram: @spytfulshop
