We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Hakala and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kate, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
A main reason that I wanted to start Park Hill Treasures is my passion for repurposing and keeping wonderful items from going into landfills. My business partner, Suzi Chierchie and I realized we have a shared love of “sourcing “ vintage items but it is difficult to find retail booth space for selling in the Denver Metro Area. At first we joked about starting our own store, but it was an idea that wouldn’t go away.
What should our readers know about your business?
As a retail business owner I am a total novice but am constantly learning. My dental career started the summer I turned 16 and worked as an assistant in my father’s dental practice. I was fortunate to be able to attend the University of CO for a BS in Dental Hygiene and worked in several offices around town, but quickly realized I wanted to be a dentist. I received my DDS in 1989 and I practiced with my father until he retired at age 85, and now have a classmate who works with me part-time. I still see patients 4 days a week. I also started and managed a dental emergency service called Dental 911, for 13 years. But having 2 practices that were open a combined 76 hours a week was absolutely exhausting.
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?
We take everyone for a day trip to Red Rocks, and if the timing is right we see a concert there as well. We always swing through Boulder with a walk along the mall and a meal at Dushanbe Tea House or Chautauqua Dining Hall. For a day in Denver we visit the Denver Botanic Gardens and then go to dinner at The Cherry Tomato .
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Suzi Chierchie, my business partner, is a medical billing IT consultant and has managed several businesses.. She also has an incredible work ethic. Our husbands, Dirk Turner and Michael Chierchie are unpaid “ guy Fridays” who have been called on for demolition, construction, electrical, hauling treasures and helping our vendors with their booths. They substitute as cashiers, too. Adam Minter, who’s book SecondHand was an eye-opening look at the vast amount of consumption and waste that occurs in the US
Website: www.parkhilltreasures.com
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