Meet Dee Marie | Founder

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

Hi Dee, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up in a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood as a Hispanic woman from a large, middle-class family, I felt like an outsider. It was a constant struggle to find my place, to feel like I belonged. The added complexity of coming out as queer exacerbated my sense of isolation. The lack of acceptance and understanding within my community and family pushed me to seek a different environment. Denver seemed like the perfect escape. As a young adult, I packed my bags and made the move. It was in Denver that I found a sense of belonging and a community that embraced my individuality. While the city’s diverse population and LGBTQ+ scene provided a much-needed support system, I noticed a growing need for entertainment and community spaces specifically designed for queer women. The few bars and clubs that existed often struggled to stay open, limiting our options. Inspired by my own experiences and the desire to create a space for others who felt like outsiders and were looking for alternatives to male-dominated environments, I founded MissFitts Entertainment.

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?
What sets us apart is our commitment to showcasing a wide range of voices and perspectives, often overlooked in mainstream entertainment. I’m most proud of the incredible community we’ve built around MissFitts. Our audience is passionate, supportive, and diverse, reflecting the very essence of our brand. Building this business has not been without its challenges. Balancing creativity with business demands, securing funding, and navigating the ever-evolving entertainment landscape have been a few of our significant hurdles. However, these challenges have also been opportunities for growth and learning. Through perseverance, adaptability, and a strong belief in our mission, we continue to move forward.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way include the importance of building genuine connections, staying true to your vision, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.

What we want the world to know about MissFitts Entertainment is that we’re not just about hosting events—we’re about driving a movement towards greater representation and inclusivity in the entertainment industry. Our story is about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and where diverse voices can truly thrive. We’re excited to continue pushing boundaries, supporting underrepresented artists, and contributing to a more inclusive creative landscape.

A notable recent achievement was our collaboration with Bonfire Event Co. to host the first-ever, Havana St. Pride in Aurora, CO at Stampede during Pride Month. This was our largest roster to date, thanks to sponsors such as; On Havana St. We’re looking forward to expanding this event next year, as we call Havana St. home.

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.
My partner Christine is a great Hostess and helped map this trip and adventure through Colorado. We are Colorado Proud.

First stop Crema Bodega inside Denver’s Central Market. We would take the i-70 route to 38th Ave and down Brighton Blvd to Broadway. This drive shows many of the former industrial districts’ street art. We will park about a half mile away with no stress parking as this walk from Broadway down Larimer is full of graffiti and street art murals. There’s nothing like coffee and art.

Before we head to the hills we will stop at our favorite dispensary Simply Pure. Wanda James Founder/CEO Woman/Black/Vet-owned business, supporter, sponsor, and ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

Now onto the scenic highway 6 West to 119 along Clear Creek, we make our way to Black Hawk/ Central City. This town is full of history, be sure to walk the streets and see the historical preservation. We would stay at the newly renovated building in Black Hawk The Monarch, then get lost in the casinos as the night passes by.

Glenwood Springs, here we come. Stopping at Hanging Lake for a hike before we get into town. Once in town, we will take the magnitude of the Colorado River and water park in the heart of town. We will spend the night at The Hotel Colorado in the infamous Molly Brown Suite. Here you can learn more about the history of this historic (and haunted) hotel. The hot springs are a must whether it’s the large man-made pool or natural spots along the Colorado River.

Drive into the sky across Independence Pass. This breathtaking scenic highway will take you through Aspen to Leadville. Check for road closures, closed in winter. Heading into Leadville, stop at a small town before Turquoise Lake is Twin Lakes. Stay at the Roadhouse Lodge and Cabins. Walk the lake, paddle the lake, and enjoy the wildflowers, birds, and night sky.

As we head back to Denver we will have to catch a MissFitts Entertainment show. Some of our favorite places to eat in Denver are;

Breweries/ Cocktails:
Lady Justice
Comrade Brewery
Fort Greene

Coffee
Coffee Story
Queen City Collective
Crema Bodega

Shopping:
Town Hall Collaborative
Stanley Marketplace
Any of the Retail Shops off South Broadway.

Breakfast/Lunch:
French Press
Bagel Deli
La Reyna Azteca

Dinner/Date Night
Leezekaya (Seoul Restaurant Group)
Somebody’s People
Zane’s Italian

Any time someone visits Colorado we always encourage them to eat, drink, and stay and shop local.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my early 20s, working at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret (now known as The Clocktower) gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the world of entertainment. This experience left a lasting impression on me. Witnessing the performances and being surrounded by such talented creators I fell in love with the energy and creativity, it truly opened my eyes to the power of storytelling.

The second would be Town Hall Collaborative, a queer woman-owned space that gave me my first opportunity. While MissFitts Entertainment doesn’t have a physical location, we’re fortunate to partner with various venues, including Town Hall Collaborative. Their commitment to inclusivity aligns perfectly with our mission, and they’ve been instrumental in helping us bring our events to life.

And lastly, but most importantly, is my partner, Christine. She has been my rock and biggest cheerleader throughout this journey. Her love and support have been invaluable, and I couldn’t be where I am without her.

Website: https://linktr.ee/missfittsentertainment

Instagram: @missfittsentertainment

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

Image Credits
Veronica Lee, Ashleigh Vlieger