Stacy Taubman, Founder of Rise Collaborative
Our series Talk Shop is a career and style profile featuring personalities from various industries. They are shot on location in Cherry Creek sometimes wearing clothing from stores in the area. Esther Lee Leach interviews Stacy Taubman, Founder of Rise Collaborative at the company’s Denver office. Stacy wears clothing from Denver Darling Boutique in Cherry Creek North
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ESTHER LEE LEACH// CLOTHING BY DENVER DARLING
LOCATION: RISE COLLABORATIVE DENVER
Esther Lee Leach: Describe your journey to RISE Collaborative. Why did you start the company?
Stacy Taubman: After teaching math for 12 years and collecting a Master’s in School Administration and School Counseling, I was floundering and unsure what was next in my career. I ultimately decided to start a tutoring and coaching company for high school girls in January 2013, while still teaching full time. I had enough success out of the gate to give me the courage to leave education and make this my full-time job. What I took for granted, though, was how much my classroom and my peers were a big part of my success. After interviewing 300 women in the community, I realized they were craving the same things I was: the opportunity to give back to the next generation, the ability to connect with other women who are striving, and the flexibility of a coffee shop with the polish of a corner office. And so RISE Collaborative came to be.
ELL: This week, you are having your grand opening in Denver. What has the response been like in this city?
ST: I’ve been blown away by the support we have received. The our VIP Unveiling Party was a huge success and we have over 500 RSVP’s for our Grand Opening.
ELL: Why is RISE Collaborative different from other co-working spaces? What makes it special?
ST: Our community is what makes us special. We are so much more than a workspace. We have curated an impressive group of ambitious women who are collaborative and growth minded. They support one and another and believe in the idea of “Shine Theory”.
ELL: What advice do you have for women who want to create their own companies?
ST: First I would say that there are no unrealistic goals, just unrealistic timelines. Spend time building your social capital. It is one of the biggest predictors to success and a quote from Jim Rohn which states that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
ELL: Do you have a go to fashion formula or uniform when you need to pull an outfit together quickly?
ST: I live in sheath dresses and pumps. It’s an easy and quick way to look nice without having to figure out what looks nice together. I throw it on in the morning and I know that cut of dress looks nice on my body type.
ELL: Where do you find your style inspiration?
ST: I love a timeless look that is both feminine and sophisticated. I always love what Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton have on.
ELL: Who are your favorite designers or stores?
ST: Truthfully running a startup my budget doesn’t allow for designer clothes. Full transparency I live in $30 Amazon dresses. I can order them online, get them quick, and they fit in my budget. At this point when I splurge or need a nicer look I go to Nordstrom or Rent the Runway.
Stacy Taubman @stacytaubman
Rise Collaborative @risecollaborativeworkspace
Denver Darling @denverdarlingboutique
In this week’s My Style Guide Stacy shares her journey to entrepreneurship.