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OFC’s featured local LGBT entrepreneurs (continued)

OFC’s featured local LGBT entrepreneurs (continued)

Story continued from here.

 

Gary Mobell – Blue Bonnet Mexican Café
Opened in the 1930s

Blue Bonnet Mexican Cafe began as an American Café, turned into a Mexican restaurant in the 1960s by Arlene and Philip Mobell who passed it to their children, current co-owners Gary Mobell and Marci Rosenberg.

“I attended Denver University but couldn’t stay away from the restaurant,” co-owner Gary Mobell said. “I’ve been working at the Blue Bonnet since I was in junior high school. When it came down to it, I just wanted to be surrounded by people who loved their jobs and who took pride in what they did for a living.”

Mobell said that it has been the restaurant’s openness that has kept the business alive. “Our philosophy is truly about being inclusive and welcoming of all, instead of exclusivity. Denver is home to a diverse and wonderful population and as a native Denverite, I look forward to an even greater community.”

Blue Bonnet Restaraunt
457 South Broadway
Denver, 80209
bluebonnetrestaraunt.com

 

 

John Spotz – le’ Bakery Sensual
Opened in 1981

John Spotz decided to open the bakery shop after working as a cake decorator. Unsure about buying the bakery, Spotz ran with it and turned it into what he called “a Denver landmark.”

Specializing in custom designed cakes and
well-known for their erotic cakes, le’ Bakery Sensual has become a LGBT trademark in Colorado.

“Being a gay-owned business is incredible,” Spotz said.

“To have a community like we do, [who] have your back through the good times or even a recession is amazing for a small business. Our customer loyalty is extremely flattering.”

le’ Bakery Sensual
300 E 6th Ave. Suite 4
Denver, 80203
lebakerysensual.com

 

 

John Donohoe and Jim Doescher – Videotique
Opened in 1985

“We opened before Blockbuster,” said John Donohoe, who in 1985 opened a video store on the well-trafficked corner of 9th and Downing with his partner, Jim Doescher, and two friends.

“We were primarily trying to aim at the gay community, but also the whole neighborhood,” Dononhoe said.

So the four friends pooled their resources and talents and opened a shop that is a mainstay in the heart of Colorado’s oldest gay neighborhood.

“We have a lot of loyal customers. We still have the best LGBT selection, probably in the whole state,” he said.

Videotique
1205 East 9th Ave.
Denver, 80218

 

Sue Foppé – Foppé Creative Inc.
Opened October 1988

Sue Foppé started her business after feeling stifled from professional growth in the creative industry.

“I decided that it was time to take a leap of faith and start my own shop,” Foppé said.

Foppé Creative is a design and branding company specializing in sales and marketing materials, annual reports, educational materials, website design, print and electronic advertising and outdoor signage and banners.

As a member of the Denver Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Foppé discovered the willingness of the LGBT community to support LGBT-owned businesses.

“Through the Chamber, my business became more visible in the community and it was there that I have met some of my best friends and favorite clients,” Foppé said.

And Foppé believes in giving back; she donates her design services to organizations like The GLBT Center and the OUT spokin’ bicycle club.

foppecreative.com

 

William Haas, D.C. – Caring Hands Chiropractic
Opened May 1998

Recognizing that many people in the LGBT community have had negative experiences in healthcare, William Haas vowed his chiropractic business would be a safer place.

“I have also been the first point of contact that many patients have sought for advice on where to go to assist them in their coming out process,” Haas said. “It has been personally rewarding in so many ways.”

Caring Hands Chiropractic specializes in providing Chiropractic care to ensure quality healthcare for members of the LGBT community and wider Denver.

“I also wanted to be a role model to the GLBT youth and [my business] has allowed me to reach out to the transgender community to provide care for them in a safe, clean and professional environment.” Haas said.

Caring Hands Chiropractic
1712 Lafayette St.
Denver, 80218
caringhandschiro.com

 

Richard Rogers Ph.D. – Rogers Therapy, PLLC
Opened in 2003

Rogers Therapy came to Colorado when Richard Rogers, Ph.D., moved and transformed his private practice that he started in New York City.

Rogers said that the community has provided him with a great foundation in Colorado.

“It is within our community that I find myself reflected, appreciated, encouraged and welcomed home,” Rogers said. “I have been able to give back by providing therapy and coaching to LGBTQ individuals and families, and by conducting gay affirmative research throughout my profession.”

Rogers Therapy specializes in practices of psychotherapy, counseling, substance abuse treatment and provides tailored services to fit the individual needs of the LGBT community with respect to depression, anxiety, and problematic drug or alcohol use.

In 2010, Beth Vagle, an ADHD Coach, joined Rogers Therapy.

Rogers Therapy
425 South Cherry St. Suite 930
Denver, 80246
rogerstherapy.com

 
 

Arthur Williams – Babylon Floral
Opened in 2004

“I think perfectionism tends to be kind of a gay trait, so we like to just create whatever we need,” said Arthur Williams, a certified professional florist and certified floral designer, who in 2004 combined his expertise in gardening, sculpture and photography into an ultra-modern, artistic floral shop called Babylon Floral.

“We do weddings and events, corporate events, everything a regular floral shop would do, but everything is custom.”

Babylon Floral
1223 E. 17th Ave.
Denver, 80218
babylonfloral.com

 

David Schmidt – 211 Photography
Opened in November, 2005

David Schmidt created 211 Photography in his mother’s footsteps.

“Watching her start and grow her business really drove me to start my own company,” Schmidt said.

211 Photography specializies in family, children, weddings, corporate and event photography. In 2009 Schmidt opened a second company, Bloom Photography, specializing in children’s photography.

“I have a wonderful staff of photographers that help make Bloom a fun, fresh and affordable choice in children’s photography,” Schmidt said.

Over the past seven years, the studio has remained successful because of the LGBT community, Schmidt said.

“My business thrives on word of mouth referrals and some of the best referrals I get are within the LGBT community,” Schmidt said.

211 Photography
275 W. 32nd Ave.
Denver, 80211
211photography.com

 

Kimberly Zimmerman – Kimberly Zimmerman Counseling
Opened in 2007

Kimberly Zimmerman, a licensed professional counselor, opened her private practice to offer services to a wider range of clients and be her own boss.

“I wanted to work with those who may or may not have health insurance and use a sliding scale approach in order to serve clients with a wide range of financial circumstances,” Zimmerman said.

Being a part of the LGBT community has helped to provide a sense of openness and trust in her practice.

“I have been invited to offer services and education based on my personal and professional links to the queer community,” Zimmerman said.

“There is a lot of underlying trauma in the queer community and my experiences in helping have led to an even greater understanding of the subtleties with which it may manifest and ways to help treat its effects.”

Kimberly Zimmerman Counseling is an independent practice offering psychotherapy services with a focus on Buddhist principles of acceptance and mindfulness. Specialties include helping clients to develop a greater sense of choice and empowerment.

The counseling service specializes in trauma/stress, chronic illness, disease management, and uses therapies like body-based psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and family systems work.

kimberlyzimmermancounseling.com

 

 

Keo Frazier – Keos Marketing, LLC
Opened in 2008

“I have always been an entrepreneur at the core,” said Keo Frazier, principal at Keos marketing, LLC – who opened a business in the beginning of the recession.

“Being an entrepreneur feeds my intellect and nourishes my soul. In short, I was born this way.”

Keos Marketing LLC (pronounced “kay-ohs”) has two businesses under its umbrella: Keos Marketing Group and Non Profit Resource. The company specializes in engaging and interactive digital marketing. The company elevates and builds brands while providing online marketing, search engine marketing, website builds and is inclusive of all aspects of brand management and marketing.

Being a part of the LGBT community has helped Frazier sustain a support system for her business, and opened doors.

“The LGBT community is very supportive and they are my second family,” Frazier said, “right behind my biological family.”

keosmarketing.com
marketyournonprofit.com

 
 

Ken Hubbard, Michael Frank and Eric Van Maanen – 2Wice as Nice
Opened March 2011

In 2011, Ken Hubbard, his partner Michael Frank and friend Eric Van Maanen started a creative gay-owned secondhand store in Wheat Ridge, where the three sell quality home furnishings, home accessories, vintage items, collectibles and artwork.

“We started 2Wice As Nice because we believe that everyone should be able to afford nice things for their house in order to make it more of a home,” said co-owner Ken Hubbard, who said being in the LGBT community has helped the business.

“All of our LGBT customers have been extremely supportive of us and have helped us spread the word throughout the community, about our store.”

2Wice As Nice
9155 West 44th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, 80033
2wiceasnice.net

 

Beth Wright – Peace Dog Pet Boutique
Opened in 2010

Beth Wright said she started her pet boutique for a simple reason – she was laid off.

“I worked in the pet store business previously,” Wright said, “and the customers encouraged me to continue work in this industry.”

Wright said being in the LGBT community hasn’t affected business in a noticeable way, but gay rights activist Tim Gill happens to be one of her best customers, she said. Peace Dog is a pet boutique that sells collars, leashes and treats.

mypeacedog.com

 

Kim Brady – Little Bit Cleaning and Concierge Services
Opened October 2010

After leaving the corporate business world, Kim Brady realized she would rather own her own business.

“I began to realize how much I enjoyed cleaning, organizing and helping others find time within their day to enjoy life,” Brady said.

“Many of my LGBT friends, colleagues and associates have hired me or referred me to others. I can honestly thank many people in the community for that blessing!”

Little Bit Cleaning specializes in residential housecleaning and concierge services like grocery shopping, errand running, in-home laundry services and dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up.

littlebitcleaning.com

 
 

Mark Cameron, Brian Grace, Scott Pouland, Wil Stafford – Black Crown Lounge
Opened in May 2011

Cameron, Grace, Pouland and Stafford saw the need for an upscale authentic piano lounge in Denver, and made the long-time dream of opening a lounge and accent store became a reality.

The Black Crown Lounge and Crown Accents offers live piano music daily with a diverse wine and cocktail list, with an eclectic array of home decor for sale throughout the building.

Cameron said that the LGBT community has always been a supporter of the business, as was true in previous businesses he’s operated. “We have a large and dedicated following [of folks in the LGBT community] which certainly contributes to our success.”

Black Crown Lounge
1446 S. Broadway
Denver, 80210
blackcrownlounge.com

 

Eddy Bowles – The Corner Boutique Framing
Opened August 2011

Owner Eddy Bowles was a professional dancer for most of his life, and after meeting his partner, David Schmidt, who owns 211 Photography and Bloom Portraits, the idea of custom framing was born.

“I am now a custom framer who dances around the house and the frame shop to keep things interesting,” Bowles said.

Bowles said LGBT customers have supported him, so he’s determined to give back.
“As a gay man, I want to support the community as well so I look for other gay-owned businesses to frequent.”

The Corner Boutique Framing is a full-service custom framing studio in the Highlands, that shares a space with 211 Photography and Bloom Portraits. The studio is housed in a space that is meant to inspire creativity and style. The shop also carries ready made frames with gifts and bits of home décor.

The Corner Boutique Framing
3275 W. 32nd Ave.
Denver, 80211
thecornerframing.com

 

Linda Cox – RENTaBUTCH
Opened November 2011

“One of the main reasons I started this business was to help people, times are tough,” said Linda Cox, an all-around handy woman with a knack for solving many problems in a simpler way.

The service company aims to reduce carbon footprints through repairs rather than replacements.

Cox said she wouldn’t be so busy without the LGBT community’s business. “It’s my main demographic,” Cox said. “I’ve been doing niche marketing and the support from the community has been amazing.”

RENTaBUTCH specializes in home and auto repairs. The business also consults customers on bids for home remodels and car purchases, and Cox teaches Do-It-Yourself maintenance to those interested in learning how to repair and maintain things.

RENTaButch on Facebook

 
 

Alex Degelman – The Interior Design Company and There Urban Whiskey Bar
Opened There Urban Whiskey bar December 2011

Alex Degelman had recently started his own design firm, The Interior Design Company, when he bought tHERe Bar and converted it to There Urban Whiskey Bar in December.

His mission? To transform the intersection of Colfax, Franklin and Park Ave. and bring the LGBT community together.

The LGBT community is too segmented, Degelman said – There Urban Whiskey Bar could bring everyone together. He’s been undaunted by the tough economy.

“The bar was actually very easy, because no matter how bad the economy gets, people still drink,” he said with a laugh.

There Urban Whiskey Bar
1526 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, 80218
theredenver.com

 


OFC’s 36th Anniversary Feature on local LGBT entrepreneurs is in three parts:

Main story: LGBT entrepreneurs overcome adversity.

Page 2: Featured local LGBT entrepreneurs

Page 3: Featured local LGBT entrepreneurs – more (you are on this page).

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