Meet Tracie Amend | Event Designer & Rental Company

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

Hi Tracie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My intention with starting my business was to offer one-of-a-kind experiences and events in and around Telluride, Colorado. However, launching my business the same month covid hit meant I had to completely rethink my business. I saw we had large families coming to town and every restaurant was closed. So, I partnered with a chef and together we would deliver a restaurant experience in their home. I would arrive, set the table with beautiful linens, flowers, glassware, flatware, etc. They could then serve the chef prepared meal in the luxury of their home safely.

I began to grow my inventory of luxury linens, glassware, flatware, etc. to meet the demand of these dinners. As events began to return, the demand for luxury table items grew. I know operate one of the only luxury table top rental companies in Telluride. It was not where I thought my company was going but I’m so happy I am where I am today.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I grew up working the hospitality industry and I love my career. I started working in a hotel gift shop and eventually worked my way up to an executive in a large luxury hotel company where I oversaw the sales & marketing efforts around the world. I believe in leading by serving and not by ego and my proudest moments are promoting someone to the next level in their career. I loved that I worked in almost every area of the hotel before becoming a leader. I knew how to clean a room, check in a guest, and everything that goes into the guest experience.

I’ve always been drawn to luxury boutique hotels and I still get excited to travel and experience a new hotel. I like to bring those ideas back to my events and provide something unexpected.

When I moved my family to Telluride, Colorado I stepped away from my corporate job and choose a slower lifestyle in the mountains. I continue to remind myself that work/life balance is a good thing!

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?
I am lucky to live in a town where beauty is everywhere. If my best friend was visiting Telluride, we would start the morning with a hike to a waterfall followed by brunch at the Sheridan. We would ride the gondola to town and take in a concert in Town Park or a class at Ah Haa before lunch at Oak where my kids like to run off to skip rocks in the river. After a walk around town, we would end the evening with dinner at Allred’s where Mario always treats us to the best views in the house. Can you tell Summer is my favorite season in Telluride? Although every season has something new to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was fortunate to have worked at Omni Hotels & Resorts and the Global Hotel Alliance where I oversaw the sales of 45 hotels nationwide and many more hotels around the world. My boss and mentor was a man by the name of Tom Faust and I always loved his quote “Hope is not a plan.” meaning success comes from making a detailed plan, executing the plan and measuring your results.

Website: www.theamendcollective.com

Instagram: theamendcollective.com

Linkedin: tracie amend

Facebook: the amend collective

Image Credits
all photos are by Abie Livesay