Meet Alycia Scantland: Boutique Owner- Mångata

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

Hi Alycia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance, for me, really changes from day to day, week to week, year to year. Sometimes the balance is going all in for an extended time to really see my efforts pay off in a short span, then I rest or go on a trip for a little to recalibrate. Other times, balance is working all day and then coming home and completely logging off. Over the years, I’ve learned to prioritize my ‘me’ time just as much as work to avoid burnout. Even though I am fully passionate and in love with what I get to do as a job, it is still work and can become heavier than I can carry without the proper balance of rest and play. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Mångata, to me, is all about being a platform for others to shine. I make a huge effort to choose the artists I carry and look to support those that are leading from passion and heart. I believe that there is an artist inside all of us and I hope to use my business to inspire others to follow their dreams. Now that we have a physical location, I am excited to expand on what we offer. Last summer, we started a project called Criaturas De La Luna, which is an event/gathering based activation that leans on the pillars of art, movement, and ceremony. We tend to rotate them around the full/new moons in the month and each one varies in offers. In the past, we’ve done cacao circles, yoga, painting, tinctures, flower mandalas and more! We’re also excited to start offering workshops and classes lead by some of our resident artists to give the community a taste of how and what they create. Getting here hasn’t always been easy and has felt a bit like a wave of inspirations. Mångata, honestly, started as a passion project that I would give as much time to as I was able. Sometimes, I felt like I barely touched it, other times it was all I thought about, and then there were times when I wasn’t sure what I was doing at all. I’ve always chosen to lead with my heart and my intuition on what choices I made. Looking back, I can see that, by doing so, it lead my down the right path- even when the road seemed foggy at times. It sounds cheesy, by I always lean into the belief that the Universe has my back and if I just listen, trust, and work hard I’ll get to where I’m going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting I’d start in the city and take them around my favorite neighborhoods. I love eating at Uchi, Il Posto, Dio Mio, and Honey has the best elixirs around! We’d stay at the Ramble hotel so that we could be in walking distance from all of my favorite places. For activities, I’d take them to some of the events that Archipelago puts on since there is something in there for everyone! To get out of the city and into nature, we’d go to Everland in Sedalia for a couple of days. Everland is so epic! Not only do they have amazing art, beautiful land to hike, and a giant forest swing, but the team putting it all together is wonderful! Next we’d go check out the Beyul Retreat just outside of Aspen. Their new backcountry adventure lodge meets well ness retreat pretty well sums up what people expect coming to Colorado and would be the perfect way to end our time together!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, this answer could go on for hours! When I first had the dream to start my own boutique I was so excited, but didn’t know where to begin. My friend, Tyler Fey, was a huge help in those first steps- he even registered me with the state without my knowledge and said “Now you have to do it!” Since then, it’s been nothing but support to get me to where I am. All of my friends that modeled for me to get photos online, camped with me at festivals behind my store’s booth and helped me sell all day, shared my story and encouraged me through it all…I couldn’t have done it with out every single one of them. I’ve had many mentors throughout the years. A big lesson I learned is not to be afraid to ask for help! In my experience, most people want to share what they know and are honored that you asked them! Recently, I opened up my first permanent retail space in the RiNo District. My dear friends, Lana Blum and David Champion, have really been an anchor for me through the process. Lana has helped take on some of the day to day at the space and David is sharing space with me by using the upstairs portion as his office for his company, Maya Health. I also have an amazing employee, Javon, who is my right hand man and is always helping me check ‘to-do’s’ off my list. He says “You start at the top, and I’ll start at the bottom and we’ll meet in the middle.” I am infinitely blessed for all the support I’ve found along the way and hope that I can offer myself and my space as an ally for many others as well.

Website: www.mangata.world
Instagram: @mangata.world
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mangata.world
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoecQfXS1KW9Bf4rIRMyahg

Image Credits
Annalesia, Earl Standerford, Alexandra Troxtell, Dzirae Gold, Jaina, Alycia Ann, Jade Sanchez, Francesca Coviello,