{TUSK}Kathy, I love that you are a part of TUSK’s March Issue featuring inspiring and creative people of Denver. You are someone that has personally inspired so many women as the original Director of Dress for Success Denver. With your recent decision to hand the reins over to a new Director, what will you miss most about DFSD?
I think what I will miss the most is the transformation of the women. To see their faces in the mirror when they come out of the dressing room. They stand taller and hold their head higher. To get a sense from them that they can get a job and they can do well in the interview. The overall confidence that can start building in that hour is remarkable. I love that.
{TUSK} What brought you to Dress for Success Denver?
It was a calling for me to give back to women in my community – give them a second chance. I can’t explain how loud that voice inside me was to do my part. Once I started the organization I knew it was the right thing to do because things just fell into place and people were there to help.
{TUSK} What was the biggest lesson you learned in your three years as Director?
I learned that we all have a story and that story has been our journey. What people see on the outside may not be the right perception of what we have been through in our lives. What matters is that we are here and we are all just learning about how to better live our lives and be better people.
{TUSK} Currently you are volunteering at The Denver Film Society and MCA Denver. Would you tell me a little bit more about both organizations and what led you to them?
The DFS is an amazing organization that supports independent film makers, producers, etc. Who wouldn’t love the making of a film? I hope to be able to immerse myself in all that I can as a volunteer. I would love to get to Sundance and volunteer at some point. It is so awesome to see actors you don’t know actually do some amazing performances.
The MCA is such a wonderful hidden gem in Denver. The artists that have their pieces in the museum are so incredible. I am able to be there when all of the art will be changed out to new artists. I love hearing their stories and how they came to be an artist. It has such a good feeling just to be there. I am extremely fortunate to be able to participate. As luck would have it, I am helping with the Oscar Party for the DFS that will be held at the MCA. It is my job to get designers to participate and show some of their fashions that night. These fashions will be donations that will be bid on by the guests. We have some amazing fashion designers in Denver.
It has been my goal for the New Year to erase the message my parents gave me about the arts. I find it to be my duty to indulge myself mentally and physically into this world of color and creativity on all levels. I feel alive when I am immersed in such a diverse community. I will find my place within this realm and give a voice to those who do not feel that they have one. I am grateful to start my new life today and see where it may lead. I feel like a kid in a candy store. What an exciting time for me to proceed!
{TUSK} So, what is your all time favorite film? and why?
A Box of Moonlight
It is a quirky film about an engineer who takes a road trip and ends up doing things he would have never dreamed of doing. Very funny, you must rent it.
{TUSK} And Artist? and why?
{TUSK} Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
I am always inspired by nature. The sound of water in an ocean or a river, or the green trees against the bright blue sky. Hiking deep in to the woods where your breath is the most you hear. I love color and how it makes me feel. I am inspired by artists of all kinds. I think I will end up doing some sort of art. I was meant to be creative.
{TUSK} You are also on the verge of an exciting new venture establishing your own company. I love your title, Visionary Consultant. Could you tell me a little bit more about your company and what a Visionary Consultant does?
Well, when I decided to call myself a Visionary Consultant, to me it meant believing, achieving, and receiving. Having the ability to listen to those who want to create a something in their lives and helping them with the process to get them there.
visionary - vizh-uh-ner-ee - a person of unusually keen foresight – This is the only definition that I felt comfortable with for me personally. I feel my strength is listening and believing to what someone is trying to achieve, and then showing them the process to receive it in their lives. Thanks for letting me go over this a bit. I thought maybe I should change it but I decided I will keep my first thought about it.
{TUSK} So, working with artists, what piece of advice would you give to artists trying to earn a living doing what they love?
I would tell them to do what they love and find someone else to do those details of networking, deciding on prices, target audiences etc. to someone who believes in them as well. I think when you are the artist - it is enough just to keep doing it. To have someone help you is worth every penny. Some of us can see where the artists need to go next as far as galleries, portfolio and just overall networking. The artists I know don’t seem to have that component and don’t want to do that part anyway. I enjoy that part so much. I become very passionate about the art and how I can get it to the population so people can immerse themselves in the overall feeling of the art. If you are an artist, keep creating so that we all can lose ourselves in the view.
{TUSK} What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I wanted to be an actress and I wanted to be on CNN. I went to acting school and also broadcasting school but then life happened and kids and what I wanted went by the wayside. I still enjoy being on camera and I am considering taking acting classes. I think it is a great outlet for those of us that are so involved in what we do every day.
I am still exploring who my favorite artist is……that is very hard – not sure I could ever have a favorite. I do enjoy
{TUSK} What political issue is most important to you right now?
The most important political issue for me is bringing our most courageous and brave men and boys home from a war. It is time for that war to be over.
{TUSK} Is there anything that people often assume about you that is not true?
I think people look at me and think that I have always had an incredible life because of the way I carry myself and am always so positive. Not true. The not so good journey at times led me to be who I am today. I am grateful for those times because they have created a sense of humility.
{TUSK} What is the one thing you have fought for or wanted most in your life?
I fought for ALL people to be treated equally no matter their race, color or creed. I would love for all of us to put aside our prejudices and just get to know people for who they are instead of always judging who they are not.
{TUSK} What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice that I have ever been given is: “If you are going
to hate something - Hate the false idea that you are not capable of your dreams.”
{TUSK} What do you love most about Denver?
I love that there is 320 days of sunshine in Denver. I am so energized by the sun in my life and being able to put the top down on my car so much of the year!
{TUSK} If you could see yourself in five years what would you hope to be doing?
I would hope to be working with incredible artists and fashion designers. I believe I could give them a voice in the community. I would love to be able to hear their stories. I believe we all have a story. I would definitely love to be traveling more. I am still trying to get to Argentina…..LOL
{TUSK} Kathy, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I feel lucky to have had the chance to get to know you over the years. You are truly someone who has contributed to Denver so much and helped a great deal of our community. Thanks for being a part of TUSK.
Thank you so much Denise – I am honored to be a part of your most fabulous project, TUSK. You are an amazing woman and I love being a part of your circle. Thank you! abstract and
