We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chandler Lipe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chandler below.

Chandler, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I struggled tremendously during both of my pregnancies. I am someone who has always had a level of self confidence. When I went through my transition into parenthood, the confidence that I’ve so easily accessed was completely gone. I was lost, I felt alone, and I didn’t know what was going on. Unburying myself from the weight of that chapter in my life was a herculean task and it opened my eyes to the hurdles that people go through as they navigate their reproductive identities. I left the workforce and spent a year feeling like I’d lost not only who I was, but also the path I had believed I was on.

What got me out of my suffering (both times) was curiosity, and connection to the humanity of the parenthood journey. To become a parent is a deeply vulnerable venture, and it proves to be a very beautiful opportunity to connect with other individuals on their journeys. I was used to a more American interaction previously: humor, peacocking, and surface level conversations. To be hurting, and to feel the support of others who’ve known the hurt, was a new realm of community for me.

I opened The Den as a space to build community and navigate parenthood together. The space is intended for community, connection to local support, and a beautiful place that sparks inspiration. It’s a place for adults and children to co-exist and celebrate their unique experiences as families and as individuals.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was previously in Project Management/Account Management. I always worked directly or indirectly with Fashion and Beauty brands. When I left that career, it was in pursuit of a better understanding of how to support myself and others on their parenthood journey. I went through training and certification to be a coach, I volunteered as a phoneline operator for Postpartum Support International, and I studied Matrescence at the Teachers College of Columbia for a semester. All with the goal of building a better landing place for folks navigating their own journeys and seeking compassion and community.

The Den is a social lounge for families that’s curating a beautiful space for community, classes, and great coffee. It’s lovingly designed for adults and children in equal measure, and aims to provide a supportive and dignified experience for anyone navigating the parenthood journey and searching for something different.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

We are very new, but I’ve found this to be the most effective way to get anything done: I listen to people’s stories. And I’m honored to do so, quite frankly. When you give people the chance to share what’s happened to them, you give them a place to express themselves and you provide an opportunity for real connection. You also hear things that can be helpful down the line. The strategic partnerships I have lined up are often due to hearing some fringe detail of someone’s story, not something that I would find on their website. The success of my product depends on the authenticity that people feel when they experience us. If we can really know the people we work with, be that as customers or as partners, that is felt within our output.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I had to go to treatment for an eating disorder after my second child was born. I had to step away, momentarily, from the work I was doing. It was scary to do that, but going back to my earlier point, our offering is based on authenticity. I couldn’t say others needed to show up authentically & take care of themselves & their mental health if I was suffering and playing as if I was fine during the day. My experience in a treatment environment was deeply supportive and eye opening and it only made me feel that much more ready and willing to help others by first accepting help myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thedendenver.com
• Instagram: thedendenver_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandler-lipe-6917192b/

Image Credits
Images by John Curran