That’s a serious question to Skye Barker Maa and Lisa Ramfjord Elstun. The women come from different backgrounds and experiences, but they found each other through their mutual passion for fashion. They’re now building a business designed to help Colorado’s designers on their paths to success.
Darlene Ritz is creative director and founder of DCR Studios. The Denver designer is one of Small Batch Manufacturing’s first clients, working with them on clothes she plans to take to an event in Paris. After Labor Day, the employees will move into a large space in the nearby Stanley Marketplace, where Barker Maa runs Factory Fashion, a design workshop and sewing school.
Barker Maa and Ramfjord Elstun said they are determined to create high-quality products while promoting a workplace that is enjoyable. They were ready to provide on-the-job training for talented beginners, but found people with a variety of experience. “Being able to bring them back to what they really like to do within the industry makes sense,” Barker Maa added.