Meet Madison VanderKolk | Creator & Owner of Made By Mads

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

Hi Madison, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
If I’m being candid, I never saw myself having my own business. It was quite the opposite actually. When I graduated college, I immediately went into a corporate sales job, thinking it was what I was “supposed” to do. I quickly realized that the typical 9-5 job lacks the sincerity that I so craved in my everyday life. I am a very social and honest person by nature, and I felt as if my personality and my morals were being put on the back burner. Once the pandemic started, I found myself unemployed, newly engaged, and at a total loss for what to do with my life. So, I threw myself into planning my own wedding. It didn’t take long for me to realize I absolutely loved the Colorado wedding industry. Not only are weddings a beautiful time filled with happiness and love, but they also provide a huge creative outlet to showcase what is important to you and your partner. They also require a lot of attention to detail and leadership, which just so happens to be a combination of all the things I love doing most. So, my own wedding inspired me to create Made By Mads, and start to offer coordination, styling, and custom decor to other couples. I now have close to twenty weddings under my belt and have also launched an Etsy store to sell my custom and handmade wedding decor, along with personalized gifts. My days are filled with chatting with couples who want their day to be perfect, and nothing makes me happier than making those desires come to life!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart most from other wedding coordinators is two things: 1. I am a very recent bride myself, so I can relate and provide appropriate solutions to my couple’s struggles and concerns more than most coordinators can.

2. I offer more than the average wedding coordinator because I also include custom decor packages and full set-up/tear-down of their chosen decor. This allows the couple to fully focus on their wedding day and not worry about having family or friends set things up for them. This also allows me to really let my creativity shine! I create all of their desired decor by hand and work closely with them to match their visions for their wedding aesthetic. My specialties include: wood and painted acrylic welcome signs, custom denim jackets, seating charts, centerpieces, bar signage, table numbers, and custom place cards.

Starting your own business is never easy, and usually requires an exhausting transitional period. In my case, I worked two or three jobs almost all of 2020 and 2021 in order to support myself while I started Made By Mads. I would have weeks where I would stay up until 12 or 1 am every night in order to complete an order, and then would have to wake up at 6 am the next day for my job. It has required a lot of personal sacrifices but has been well worth it, as I now work for myself full time. The biggest lesson I have learned during this journey is this: Good things come to those who work hard. You can be the most deserving person in the world, yet if you don’t put effort into whatever it is you want to accomplish, it simply will not happen. Goals are meant to be achieved, so you must put in the work to make them a reality.

In terms of my brand, I want my future couples to know that I strive to be as authentic and positive as possible. Weddings can be stressful, but if you have the right people in your corner, they don’t have to be. I want to connect with as many couples as I possibly can to help them with their weddings because I have been in their shoes and know how they feel! I wish I would’ve had a friend to take charge of my wedding for me and my husband, all while still involving us in the important decisions and details so the day was still a reflection of “us.”

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.
Denver is such a hub for amazing food and drink, and I recommend D Bar Denver to every person who asks me for a restaurant to go to. It’s my favorite of all time! They specialize in dinner, drinks, and dessert (hence the name), but also have fabulous brunch! If you go, order the D Bar Dates, steak and frites, and whatever rotating soufflé they have on their dessert menu. I also love Machete Tequila + Tacos. Their spicy margs are insanely good, and pair super well with their chili relleno tacos. For a more laid-back drink spot, head to Ironton Distillery + Crafthouse. Not only is it female-owned, but they make some amazing cocktails, like their Purple Mountain Majesty. Another great spot is my favorite brewery, New Terrain in Golden. For activities, you have to catch a concert in Denver. It doesn’t matter if it’s at Red Rocks, The Ogden, or even a bluegrass band playing at a local brewery. The Colorado music scene is so diverse and talented, that you’re sure to find something you like. If you’re like me and love shopping, check out Due South Boutique in Layfayette. They have amazing women’s clothing, jewelry, and small gifts, and they’re attached to their coffee shop, Brew! You can’t go wrong with any hike in Boulder either, especially the Mount Sanitas trail.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly believe I could write a short novel about all of the people who have supported this business and dream of mine, so I will try to keep it brief. To my dear friends Dani Faulkenberry (of Dani Faulkenberry Photography) + Jessica Cooke (of Jessica Cooke Photography), thank you for showing me that having your own business within the wedding industry is possible and is the best decision I have ever made for myself. To Carly Keller of Oh My Custom Designs, thank you for being my mentor and showing me how to be an incredible coordinator and creator. To my dad, Gordie, thank you for always supporting my passions and lifting me up when I have self-doubt. To my mom, Dawn, thank you for pushing me to start Made By Mads and being the best assistant a business owner could ask for. And the biggest thank you of all goes to my husband, Nick. Thank you for supporting me in every possible avenue of my life. Thank you for teaching me to be handy, and how to do things the right way. And thank you for showing up for me when it matters most. I love you.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByMadsDecor

Instagram: madebymadsco

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

Other: TikTok: madebymadsco

Image Credits
Jessica Cooke Photography