I grew up in Colorado and am a first-generation American with a Greek father and a French-Canadian mother.  I attended public and private schools in Colorado including Larkspur Elementary, Kent Denver, and Vail Mountain School.  I completed my undergrad at Connecticut College with a BA in International Relations and was a soccer player, alpine ski racer and  horseback rider.  I captained my college ski team 4 years and I was on the Greek National Ski Team as an older adult.   I was a decorated athlete and I still love sports.  Post undergrad I wanted  to attend law school at DU – I was wait listed and never got in. I packed my bags and moved in with my Mom, who charged me rent, to live in Edwards, I became a ski instructor and found a job in construction. 

Working my way around I was able to land a job as a secretary at with George Shaeffer Construction and I was blessed to meet his team and fall under the wing of my first true mentor, Judy,  who helped me on her time off to read blue prints, teach me about door schedules and how to become a project manager.  I learned so much at this job.  I worked hard and was given a position they created for me – Construction Administrator.  I owe so much to George, Judy and that team.  

It was then that I learned the cruel reality of how design and construction more often likely are in conflict and the home or commercial building owner suffers with the lack of information shared or be accurate so the owner doesn’t have to deal with a million change orders to complete a project.  I was in love with the process of building and the complications it brought but not at the expense of the cost of unknowns and how to fix the process.  Then I saw Jim Neenan on the cover of the Denver Business Journal and my life changed.  The title was Archistruction = Architecture meeting Construction under one roof – one process.  I knew I wanted to work for him at The Neenan Company.  

I figured it would be best for me to get a degree as a female to get a leg up on the opportunities,  and I decided I would attend the University of Denver in the Real Estate Finance and School of Construction Management and I was going to work at The Neenan Company.   Little did I know the job was in Ft Collins when TNC decided to hire me – when I interviewed in their Denver office, and school was at DU 4 nights a week and I rented an apartment by DU.  Nonetheless, I was hell-bent to make it work and loved every minute of it.  I met my current husband Brian at TNC and convinced him to move back to the DU area with me. 

Within TNC was a development wing of the company and I was a project manager on some of their projects.  Upon suggestions for improvements to the company systems and the company needing to break off the development wing to win more business, the NexCore Group was founded and I was asked to come with them – in Denver to work in the Medical Office division.  Gladly accepted!   I was so lucky to have amazing mentors and friends at NexCore for over a decade with them. 

And, after years of traveling and then with 2 very young kids,  tired of missing events and not being able to manage my own schedule, my husband and I took the plunge and I left my comfort zone and we started a business venture.   I say we because it was his and my opportunity and he gives me all the credit but he was and is my rock in the success we have.  Together we had a great opportunity.    We bought into the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise and opened the Cherry Creek North location in 2011 and no experience owning or running a business, I went in head first.  6 years later – BMC – Matt Joblon’s group bought the building we leased space in.   

Our second location with Hand & Stone in Westminster was just getting to a good place and I was not prepared to move and rebuild.  After 6 months of hard work, looking for a new location and many other franchise issues, we sold our franchise in Cherry Creek.  We didn’t celebrate but waited for another business opportunity.   After looking in many locations and deciding what direction to go and what experience I needed to own a real estate or property management company, many decisions were imposed or directions and choices made available.   After searching, finding and vetting businesses, I was so fortunate to hear from my old colleagues – the Vicario brothers from Hand & Stone – that they heard about a new franchise: Crave Cookies.  And that was all I needed to start off looking at Crave. 

A year and a half later, we own all the Crave locations in Colorado and hope to be the developer to whom others buy our locations from us.  

We chose our first location for Crave Cookies to be in Greenwood Village by Cherry Creek High School in the King Soopers Center.  This location is beautiful, close to us and close to I-25 and 2-25.   So convenient for customers. Great tenant mix as well. 

The cookies are so delicious and well made.  It’s a game changer.  The weekly flavors are meant to help you satisfy your cravings and something new each week.  Our sharable sizes are to die for!  Anyone can order on our app to pick up or have delivered.   We offer larger catering sizes for tail gating, company parties, home birthdays and get togethers.  Freshly made all day long. 

Open kitchen with smiling faces and pumping music.  Black subway tile, bright sunlit space, bakers in site measuring, decorating, and welcoming you into the store.   Super fun vibe at Crave Cookies. 

So many issues.  Build out costs, over scheduled subcontractors, and building department time lines are a challenge we had to overcome.  If you don’t have good people helping you – the business incurs ridiculous delays.  I refuse to open in Denver proper based on the excessive wait times for construction permits.   It’s asinine how long things take in Denver anymore and they don’t seem to want to help small businesses.    The biggest challenge we have is food waste and accommodating the 945pm craver who wants 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies just as we are closing.   I mean not a bad problem to have = but we would love more online orders that we can get ahead of orders.   We have to disappoint. 

We are striving to be the Go-To Cookie Company in the Denver Metro area and to be at all outdoor food events!  Getting permits in every county takes time but it will be worth it! 

Denver is the most amazing place to be.  I have been here my entire life and I still cannot get over the weather, the people, the food and, our amazing sports teams!   I have been in Love with the Avalanche and the DU Pioneers hockey teams since I could watch hockey.  And now that my kids play at Cherry Creek High School and we sponsor the teams for Coach Mel, I cannot get over how lucky we are to have such talented people here.  I mean Landeskog, McKinnon, Makar, Drouin, O’Connor, and Wood.   Insane and don’t get me started on Coach David Carle and the Valour team and their coaching staff.   We are the luckiest state in the country to have such talent here.   

You can follow us on Instagram @CraveCookiesColorado

For  more detailed information about us on our website at CraveCookies.com