Meet Laura Stratton | Co-Founder and Musician

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

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My wife and I started Butterscotch Studios for multiple reasons. We were both feeling burnt out in our previous work and wanted to create something that would bring us daily joy and fulfillment. After getting married this past September, we felt inspired to begin our new chapter by building something meaningful together.

With my background in music and Sam’s in visual art, we share a deep love for the arts and a passion for fostering community connection. We truly thrive on bringing people together in a positive, creative space. Given the current state of the world, we also felt a strong desire to create a warm, cozy, and safe environment where people can feel at ease as soon as they walk in.

Our past work experiences gave us the confidence and tools to step into entrepreneurship, and we’re lucky to complement each other’s strengths. We work incredibly well as a team, balancing each other out in a way that makes this journey both exciting and fulfilling.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been a musician for nearly my entire life — I started playing piano at age four and picked up the guitar at thirteen. Music has always been at the core of who I am. I’ve been in several bands, but my main project is Foxfeather, which I started with Carly Ricks Smith, while we were in college at CU Boulder. We’ve been playing around the Front Range for over a decade, and that experience continues to fuel my soul.

In addition to performing, I’ve taught private music lessons, run a house concert series, and booked live music at Vindication Brewing. Having been on both sides of the industry — as a performer and a booker — has given me valuable insight and practical tools that directly inform the work we’re doing at Butterscotch Studios.

Being a musician and artist comes with its challenges. It’s a constant hustle to make a living, promote shows, and create a sustainable life amidst the instability and uncertainties of the music industry. But every challenge has shaped me into a more resilient and adaptable artist. I’ve learned the importance of perseverance, building genuine connections, and staying grounded in the joy of creating.

What I want people to know about Butterscotch Studios is that it’s a place born from those experiences — a space where artists and musicians can feel supported, inspired, and part of a community. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where creativity thrives, and where people can share their art in a warm and welcoming space.

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 were visiting for a week, I’d want to give them a full experience of everything I love about this area—great music, amazing food, and time outdoors.

We’d definitely catch some live music if possible! The Soundpost Sessions in Longmont always put on incredible shows, so we’d check their schedule. Other great spots for live music include Bricks on Main, Left Hand Brewing, Abbott & Wallace, and the Longmont Museum.

For dining, we’d make the rounds at some of our favorite spots—Cantina Rosa for amazing tacos and margaritas, Sumo for sushi, The Den for cozy comfort food, Jeffe’s for delicious Mexican, and The Roost for great drinks and a fun atmosphere. We’d also have to stop by St. Vrain Cidery, where our friend Brooks cooks up incredible dishes on the weekends. And for breakfast, we’d make a trip to Boulder for Walnut Café—one of my favorite spots for a delicious morning meal.

We’re big fans of Lyons, so a visit to Spirit Hound Distillers for a drink is a must. We’d also explore nearby towns like Boulder, Fort Collins, Loveland, Jamestown, Nederland, and Ward—each with its own unique charm.

For outdoor adventures, we’d go hiking at Rabbit Mountain, paddleboarding at Macintosh Lake, or take a walk with the pup around Pella Crossing. To unwind, we’d take a yoga class at Sol 19 in Longmont—it’s such a great space to reset and recharge.

It’d be a mix of music, adventure, relaxation, and good food—basically, the perfect week!

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?
There are so many people who have played a role in my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the love and support I’ve received along the way. First and foremost, my wife, Sam—she’s my rock, creative partner, and the person who keeps me grounded and inspired every day.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to Carly Ricks Smith, my best friend and musical partner in Foxfeather. We’ve been writing and performing together for over a decade, and I wouldn’t be the musician I am today without her. I’m also incredibly grateful for the rest of the Foxfeather family—Jay Elliott, Blake Smith, and Chad Mathis. Each of them brings something unique to the band, and together, we’ve created a sound and community that I’m so proud of.

Harmony House in Boulder also deserves special recognition. I taught music there for many years, and Robby, the owner, always created such a welcoming, supportive, and inspiring environment. The sense of community and creativity that thrived in that space has been a huge influence on me. It’s something that inspired me to open Butterscotch Studios, and I strive to foster a similar, harmonious atmosphere here—a place where people feel encouraged, connected, and at home.

I also have so much gratitude for my family. They have always supported my musical dreams, never questioning my path and always encouraging me to keep going. Their unwavering belief in me has been a huge source of strength, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support.

The music and arts community in Longmont and the greater Front Range has also been a constant source of encouragement. The people who show up to support local music, the venues that give artists a space to share their work, and the fellow musicians and creatives who lift each other up—it’s a special community, and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.

It really takes a team, and I wouldn’t be here without all of these incredible people. Butterscotch Studios is a reflection of that support, and I hope it becomes a space where we can pay it forward and uplift others in the same way.

Website: https://www.butterscotchstudios.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterscotch_studios_loco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569849966860

Image Credits
Branded Beet, Courtney Nicholson-Paine