We were lucky to catch up with Maureen Koopman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maureen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At The CoLab Concepts, we’ve really taken a fresh approach to what a boutique event space can be. We’re not just renting out beautiful rooms—we’re curating meaningful experiences that feel like an extension of home, with elevated design, flexible use, and thoughtful hospitality baked into every detail.

What sets us apart is how intentionally we’ve created our spaces and offerings. We’re not a blank canvas in the traditional sense—we’ve done the heavy lifting for clients who want something stylish and seamless but still personal. From our all-inclusive micro-wedding packages to our beautifully layered rentals and ready-to-go event setups, we’ve anticipated needs and removed overwhelm, especially for those who don’t have time to become event planners overnight.

We also take pride in offering highly customizable options while still maintaining structure. A lot of venues fall into one of two camps: all DIY with no support, or rigid packages that don’t allow for any individuality. We live in the in-between. That balance is really what today’s hosts are craving—something that looks intentional without needing a massive budget or planning team.

Maureen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into this industry wasn’t a straight line—I didn’t start with a background in hospitality or event planning. I came into it as an Interior Designer & lifelong creative, a community builder at heart, and someone who’s always been drawn to creating meaningful, beautiful spaces where people feel instantly welcome.

I started The CoLab out of a desire to reimagine how people gather. At the time, I was noticing a gap—people wanted intimate, stylish, flexible spaces that didn’t require an overwhelming amount of planning or a huge budget. So many venues were either too formal, too impersonal, or not designed to handle modern, smaller-scale celebrations in a thoughtful way. I knew there was a better way.

Under The CoLab Concepts umbrella, we now offer several boutique venues with distinct personalities—from The Parlour and The Lounge, to our newest addition, Biographie Studio—all created with intentional design, high-touch hospitality, and genuine flexibility in mind. We host everything from micro-weddings and bridal showers to creative workshops, brand launches, and celebration-of-life gatherings.

What we really provide is peace of mind. We’ve created curated packages that remove the stress and decision fatigue, while still leaving room for our clients’ personalities to shine through. We also offer rentals and styling in-house, and our micro-wedding packages are nearly turn-key—designed for couples who want a beautifully executed day without planning for a year.

Something I’m most proud of is that we’ve built a business model that is profitable and sustainable without requiring our clients to spend money on things they don’t need. We don’t upsell for the sake of it. We don’t add unnecessary layers. We genuinely want people to have a beautiful experience—whatever “celebration” means to them.
I’m also proud of how we’ve championed small businesses and local talent along the way—from the incredible makers featured in our seasonal Home for the Holidays Pop-Up Shop to the women and underrepresented creatives we collaborate with for our events.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about us, it’s that we see you. Whether you’re planning your wedding, honoring someone you’ve lost, or launching a new chapter of your life or business, we’re here to help you celebrate it with care, intention, and style.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Absolutely. One of the biggest tests of resilience for me came when I spent nearly a year pouring my heart—and every ounce of energy—into renovating a 1920s storefront into what would become my first boutique venue. I opened the doors two weeks before the world shut down for COVID. It was devastating in the moment. I had built this space to be full of people, of energy, of celebration—and suddenly, no one could gather.
But what felt like the end at first became the beginning of something even better. That slow period, when events were paused and the world was holding its breath, gave me the space to listen more closely—to refine, experiment, and ultimately reimagine what people truly needed when they came together.

Originally, I had planned for the space to do a little of everything—co-working, gatherings, creative workshops. But as I watched what people were craving most post-pandemic, I realized it wasn’t more hustle culture—it was connection. So we let go of co-working and went all in on events. And it clicked. We stopped trying to add more and instead focused on removing barriers. Simplifying. Streamlining. Creating packages that made celebrating feel easy and joyful again.

That season taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about listening, pivoting, and trusting your instincts. I look back on that year with so much gratitude because it shaped the foundation of everything The CoLab Concepts is today: a place where people can gather in beautiful, intentional spaces that feel like an extension of home.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think my reputation has been built on consistency, creativity, and absolute, genuine care. I’ve always been someone who values the full experience—from the first inquiry to the last light turned off after an event—and I think people feel that. I don’t phone it in. Whether it’s a wedding, a baby shower, or a celebration of life, I show up with intention and heart every single time.

Word-of-mouth has played a huge role, and I think that’s because I’ve focused on building real relationships—not just booking dates. I make it a point to listen to what people need, even if they don’t know how to articulate it yet. And over time, that’s helped me anticipate things clients didn’t even know to ask for, which builds trust.
I also think my reputation has grown because I’ve never tried to be everything to everyone. I’ve leaned into what I’m good at—curating beautiful, meaningful events in boutique spaces that feel personal—and kept refining that over time instead of chasing trends or trying to scale too fast.

And finally, I’ve always tried to make things easier for my clients, not harder. In an industry that can feel overwhelming, I think our ability to simplify, deliver on our promises, and go above and beyond without being over-the-top is what really sets us apart—and keeps people coming back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecolabconcepts.com
• Instagram: @thecolabconcepts
• Facebook: thecolabconceptsvenues

Image Credits

Equilibrium Photography
Regovich Imaging
The Look Back Co.
Bailey Toot Photography
Jordan Lee Photography