BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
Relevant Goods, Provides an Intimate and Connected Shopping Experience and Happens to be Owned by Bad Ass Mama of Three, Natalie Beale Esquivel.
Relevant Goods, Provides an Intimate and Connected Shopping Experience and Happens to be Owned by Bad Ass Mama of Three, Natalie Beale Esquivel.
I remember meeting Natalie on the first day of school at Steele Elementary. She was new and I met her through a mutual friend. I remember thinking, “I need to get to know this woman.” There was just something about her that I felt instantly connected to. As I would later find out she, too, is a mother of three who is navigating the world as a small business owner. So, yes, we had a shared vision of the sometimes shaky balance of motherhood and being an entrepreneur. She owns the beautiful boutique, Relevant Goods, located at 250 Broadway.
Tell us the short story behind Relevant Goods.
Relevant Goods came about after a slew of major life changes. I grew up in Denver, left home for 18 yrs and came back following a divorce. After having been in the home with my 3 kids for 12 yrs and out of the traditional work force, I bit the bullet to start the shop. Relevant Goods is my love letter to Colorado. It is a little spot intended to validate style, creativity and connection for myself and others.
How has being a small business owner changed the way you look at the world?
Everything. Being a small business owner has changed everything about the way I look at the world. I used to see buildings vacant or being torn down, businesses gone and think about what was going in next hoping it would be more cool, more hip, more fun than the ghost of what was previously there. Now I look at vacant buildings and wonder what happened to the people running those places. I find myself questioning what they’re doing now, how they are making it, how their lives were affected? I realize at a new level that owning and running a small business takes extreme dedication and commitment. It takes heart and soul regardless of whether it is successful in the eyes of the public. I have extreme respect for those who have made it and for those who haven’t.
What is your favorite item of clothing in your closet?
My favorite item of clothing is the cream knit shawl that belonged to my mother in the 70’s. I have worn it for years. It’s timeless.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is about texture, clean lines and being comfortable. I like to mix layers of modern clothing with statement pieces from different eras. No gimmicks. When I look back at photos twenty years from now I want to see sophistication on the spectrum of trend.
We love the atmosphere of your shop. Is this what your living room looks like?
Ha! My living room is small but has an eclectic feel. Always texture. It’s more colorful than the shop but I still like to mix eras. I feel fortunate to be filling it with local art and artifacts from talented folks I’ve met since I’ve been back in Denver.
Define the perfect day.
The perfect day at this point in life would include no plan! I miss spontaneity like crazy. It would ramble through untold and unforeseen adventure with one good meal, a bit of sunshine, nature and my kids.
Favorite album of all time?
Favorite Album? That is a rabbit hole question for me. I would have to say Led Zeppelin II because it introduced me to looking deeper than the radio and it is full of sounds that lead to exploration of the blues, soul, rock, and songwriters, all branches I still actively seek. But as I say that I know 30 minutes from now I will think of another album that was equally influential. Gillian Welch’s Music from the Revelator, Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, George Benson’s Breezin’, Disco Duck the Best of Disco Duck. I think I’m now off topic.
Old school Tribe or New school?
Hmm, that’s tough. New school. I think their message is so relevant and the sound is good enough to make anyone dive deeper into their work to find and love old school Tribe too.
What are you reading right now?
I’m not reading much for pleasure these days but I’m working through a couple of pages each day of Gabrielle Bernstein’s “The Universe Has Your Back” (given to me by a fellow female neighboring business owner) and my youngest son and I are together making our way through Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince.”
Any advice for future mompreneuers?
I’m not sure I’m qualified to be giving anyone advice. I’d say to mompreneuers that owning a business will test every deep and dark insecurity you have. Do it anyway and face them. Also, keep in mind what your priorities are long term. I know my time raising kids is precious and extremely temporary but will have a much greater effect long term. Business and kids will both take as much as you will give. In the end, my kids (in balance) always win out. My presence, as in really being present to them emotionally, is invaluable and will influence how they move through the world for the rest of their lives.