We had the good fortune of connecting with Leticia Raymond Darius Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leticia Raymond, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I understood that starting my own business was going to be a challenge, I knew that taking on a second business would be even bigger. I started The Carefree Pup in 2016 and worked hard to build that business into a flourishing entity, I knew Darius and I could do the same by taking on Crown Boulder. We both knew we wanted to take on an exisiting business and giving it our own touch, we also knew that it would take time, commitment, and effort, even some tears, to earn the trust of exisiting clients and develop relationships with new connections as well! We wanted to be in an industry and fed both our souls and kept us connected to the communities we’ve been a part of for years.

What should our readers know about your business?
It’s been quite the journey. Both Leticia and Darius have spent most of their adult lives in schools, working with impacted communities and helping our youth not only achieve their dreams, but discover their dreams. Leticia was an educator and school leader for 22 years before taking the full-time leap into being a business owner. While it wasn’t an easy decision, it was where she was supposed to be. Having started multiple successful businesses, taking on Crown Boulder was the next right step, and so far marked all the boxes. Darius has been in schools for 15 years and continues to coach track and field. His expertise and love of the sport fuels his mission of helping each student achieve their best and land their dream life after high school. He stepped away from his positioin in the districts in 2019 so he could devote his energy to coaching. Once Darius and Leticia came across Crown Boulder, they both knew they found their next adventure together. Our greatest challenge so far has been a bit of a course correct and making Crown Boulder our own; making the shop ours and ensuring our regard to quality and connection shines through. We’re both commited to building relationships in the community and creating a recognition space where EVERYONE is welcome and honored.

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.
While Darius would probably take people to The Rusty Melon or the local sports bar, Leticia would definitely tell you to grab your sneaks and go on a sunrise hike, followed by somewhere amazing to eat like Sushi Den or Bee’s Thai. They’d both end the day with a delicious dinner off the grill while we enjoy the incredible Colorado sunset!

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?
Darius and I probably owe a shoutout to one another…when you’re chest deep in several ventures sometimes you forget to lean in and love on each other when we need it the most. None of this would be possible without one another. Secondly, we owe an incredible amount of gratitude to our families, Leticia’s mom, and in particular our children for sticking with us through all the late nights, crazy schedules, and countless hours helping with order.

Website: www.crownboulder.com

Instagram: @crownboulder

Facebook: Crown Trophy of Boulder

Image Credits
Photo by YourStoryDenver Katie Torres

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