Meet Macqenna Ledford | Designer & Boutique Owner

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

Hi Macqenna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I spent many years working for “the man” and I decided that I wanted to be that man. I was raised to be a leader and learned amazing communication skills from my religious background and my mother that is fascinated by mental health and different personalities. I wouldn’t trade those lessons for the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was raised by my Artistic single mother who always inspired creativity. To keep food on the table she became a Real Estate agent when I was 5 years old and found it difficult to unbox her art supplies so she handed some down to me. She found me drawing and painting clothing instead of faces or places and she knew I would be a designer.

Being surrounded by the structure of her entrepreneurial spirit and her creativity, I was bound to be a leader. My mother taught me about different personalities and the color code test, which STRONGLY influenced my desire to do custom work and make original dreams come true through fashion. My grand mother was also a huge influence in designing as she was the crafter of the family.

In my early adulthood I spent years doing clerical work and recently decided to peruse my own business designing after 8 years in the medical field. I enjoyed helping people, but several Doctors I worked for told me I am a leader and have trouble accepting authority.

Some may take that as a negative thing and, yes, I was one of those people. After depression over that subsided, I decided to let those comments light a fire under me and show the world what I’ve got!

I told myself “YES, I am the leader of my future, so I WILL NOT stop until I am seen and heard!”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My little town of Durango, Co is one of the best places to get local food and experience nature. I would take my friends to the local Ska Brewery to enjoy their wonderful fresh fountain. If they were feeling adventurous, I would take them up to hike Ice Lakes and maybe stop off at a local hot springs after. We can’t forget about the best Jamaican BBQ food trucks in town Juicy’s Shanty, which was painted by none other than my brilliant talented husband Parker Ledford of Parker Hi Art.

You can’t go wrong with some fun in the sun at any of the surrounding lakes and rivers. Tico Time Resort is where we spend most of our summers with our friends that have become family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my amazing Mother, my Grandmother and Grandfather, my beautiful sister Karma, my fashion genius cousin Shelby, and my wonderful supportive husband Parker. Being surrounded by their open minds and creative spirits has kept me on my feet for years. The biggest drive for me would have to be the creativity I have inspired in my 4 children. They are absolutely brilliant and it is so satisfying to see how they have grown beyond what I have even shown them. They will keep me going for years to come.

Website: www.maddamhatter.com

Instagram: maddamhatter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maddamhatter18/