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

Hi Alyssa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea behind Linden Lane Boutique was to bring the fun back to shopping during the pandemic. One of the things I missed most last year was going out shopping, browsing and discovering beautiful things. Ordering online is convenient but its just not as much fun as browsing in a store and having someone help you pick out super special things. What I set out to do was to create a space that is just as much fun as going out to your favorite boutique; we bring the fun [online] to our customers with detailed product reviews, social channels and curated assortments. I want people to smile when you shop Linden Lane Boutique and maybe even giggle at a few items in the shop – that’s ok! It’s how we connect and make shopping fun again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my career after college, as an Assistant Buyer in San Francisco within Gap, Inc’s retail management training program and worked my tail off in the retail world for 20+ years before starting my own thing. I have designed product, launched brands, and shifted over to working in tech in 2014; all of these roads (however bumpy) have lead me to where I am today. After countless friends asking for my personal shopping help, gifting help – I finally set out to curate an experience of my own for customers. Starting my own business was scary – especially amidst a global pandemic & shopping slow down but I showed up. I showed up for myself, for customers and for the minority and women owned brands that I invest in and sell at Linden Lane. Every single day I show up and continue to try & build Linden Lane into the great household brand/store that I know it is capable of being.

My goal with Linden Lane is that I scour the internet and the fashion market, so you don’t have to. Everything that we carry are items that I would give to my own family, or have worn and tested before investing in. I aim to spread kindness, happiness and connection because I want you to feel like you’re shopping with your best friend.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived in great cities from growing up in Pittsburgh, moving to Manhattan to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle but Denver is home now and it immediately felt like home the moment I first came here in 2010. If someone had a week here in our area – I would recommend a few days in Denver and then heading up to the mountains to explore Frisco, Vail, Dillon and Lake Granby. Being the mountains for hikes, fresh air and water sports is the best! I would definitely recommend Sushi Den or Isakaya Den for dinner, Snooze and First Watch for brunch and make sure that friends explore all that Wash Park and Cherry Creek North have to offer. Locally in Denver we have an incredible art, brewery and food truck scene too so there’s always something happening around here to take advantage of. One of my favorite weekend activities is doing Barre3 outside – especially at the Breckenridge Brewery Farmhouse and then having lunch with friends.

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?
This shoutout goes out to my husband, family and friends who all have supported this endeavor over the last year – not only in purchasing from Linden Lane but also helping me grow my customer base and cheering me on every single step of the way. I have been truly humbled and will always remain grateful for their support. My husband, David, especially deserves immense grattitude. He is by my side, walking this journey with me and I am so happy to have him to brainstorm ideas and push the business concept forward.

Website: www.shoplindenlane.com

Instagram: @lindenlaneboutique

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