We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Dikken and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I absolutely love what I do. Helping families in the community find ways to interact together in the community where we live is rewarding not only because I am helping families, I am also helping businesses in the community get seen and noticed. Building my websites with information families want to know about keeps families coming back, which ensures my sponsors and advertisers are getting seen and their message is getting out to the people they want to see it. I love working for the community, both my readers and my advertisers.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I fell into this career as a Macaroni Kid Publisher when I owned another business. I started the Evergreen/Bailey/Conifer edition because our community didn’t have a platform like this, and I thought it would be a great way to advertise my current business. The community embraced the idea and Macaroni Kid took off to where I moved it to a full-time career and eventually took on a second site – Arvada/Golden/Wheat Ridge Macaroni Kid. I often feel like every other career I have had has taught me what I need to know to be successful in this business. Starting out was difficult, as any new business is, but dedication, and connecting with the community through the chamber, and other organizations has helped with growth. What keeps me successful, is consistently publishing my weekly newsletters, filling my site with valuable information that the community wants to know, growing my readership, outstanding customer service with my advertisers, constant communication and dedication are the keys to my success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I live in the Evergreen/Bailey/Conifer area I will focus on that. One week wouldn’t be long enough to hit all the amazing spots. My favorite places to eat are Aspen Peak Cellars in Bailey, Brooks Place Tavern in Conifer and Willow Creek in Evergreen. Zokas in Pine has always been a favorite as well. I always love to take visitors to walk around Evergreen Lake and to shop in Historic Downtown Evergreen. We will always hit up Evergreen Crafters and maybe Beau Jo’s or Creekside Cellars for lunch. For entertainment we would head to Wild Game in Evergreen or Blizzard Mountain Pinball in Conifer. Crafty friends would love Go Paint! For my adventurous friends we would most definitely book a zip-line tour with Denver Adventures or head to Lawson Adventure Park to climb the Via Feratta. Nature lovers we’d go on a hike at Staunton State Park or Pine Valley Ranch. Both show of the beauty of our community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce. Joining the Conifer Chamber jump started my business in so many ways. By teaching me to network, how to speak in front of others, marketing strategies, and connecting me with fellow business owners in the community.

Website: https://evergreen.macaronikid.com https://arvada.macaronikid.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackidjulied/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-dikken-18a8627a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacKidEvergreen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacaroniKidEBC https://www.facebook.com/MacKidArvada

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTpstm_sXqKcBkh7l27HtA

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