Business: The mama ‘hood
Address: 2902 Zuni St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2012
Contact: 303-643-5662
Employees: 20
Interview with Linda Appel Lipsius, co-founder and CEO
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
The idea for the mama ‘hood came while I was living in Los Angeles, pregnant with my first child. I lived near a business that focused on breastfeeding support and another business that offered pre- and postnatal yoga. The two businesses provided me with expert advice, community and exercise to keep my mind and body on track during and after my pregnancy. When I moved back to my hometown of Denver, I became pregnant with my second child and couldn’t find that same mix of services and community, so I set out to build it. I was fortunate to be introduced to Amanda Ogden, the mama ‘hood’s co-founder and lactation consultant and Allison Schneider, who runs the mama ‘hood day-to-day. Our team also includes Patience Bleskan, who heads our child and parent education, Sara Gunther, who runs our yoga program, and a long list of care providers.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
We provide a very broad range of services under one roof: yoga, breastfeeding support, childbirth education, child development education, parent education and fantastic retail. A number of local providers rent our consult rooms so they can service their clients in our neighborhood. Some of the providers include pediatricians, physical therapists, nutritionists, massage therapists and homeopaths.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
We are helping women and their families enjoy this most magical experience and trust themselves. Our tagline, “thriving mamas. thriving babies. thriving world,” sums it up.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge is getting the word out about what we offer. This model is still pretty new. I have had so many women tour the mama ‘hood who tell me that they would have given anything to have had a place like this when they were pregnant or a new mom. So spreading the word that a place like the mama ‘hood exists and can’t wait to welcome you is our biggest focus.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
We welcome everyone with any birth plan (hospital, home or birth center), any feeding plan (bottle or breast) and any child development plan. We don’t preach. We support and help every mom and her family make the best decision for her.
