Hope Dealer Denver Courtney

Positively Inspirational: A Monthly Spotlight

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Denver Courtney, a clothing and antiques dealer who will be in the middle of all the antiques festivities this month at Zapp Hall in Warrenton.

1.What is your business?

It’s called Denverado Texas. The core of it centers around entertainment, people, and faith.

I’d say first and foremost, I’m a Christ follower. My mission is to live a life so that those people who know me but don’t know HIM (Christ), will want to know HIM because they know me. My side hustle, however, is interior designer, singer/ song writer, poet, party pumper, and smile maker who slings his share of preloved vintage clothing, one-of-a-kind antiques, and custom swag, like original t-shirts, handbags, and jewelry. My girlfriend Coty calls me a Hope Dealer. That makes me smile! I’m a lover of all people and my mantra is “live free,” soar on the wings of eagles!

2.) How did you get started?

It has everything to do with my mother and father. My mother is an artist and interior designer and my father built custom homes. They’ve always been a great creative team and wonderful teachers. They taught me both sides of their businesses. My parents also modeled their faith in a way that was undeniable. Proud to say they are still moving and shaking after 54 years of marriage! Wear love like a garment!

3.) How long have you been in business?

My mother and I had a very successful design business and showroom in Houston called Courtney & Company Home and Ranch for 25 years. When I wasn’t on the road with the band, I was working with clients. We closed the showroom in 2015 when my mother and my sister were both diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time. Mom decided she wanted to focus on grandchildren and family. Best decision! Both mom and sister are cancer free! I no longer had a showroom or a band. All I knew to do was to fall on my knees and pray. HE answered God led me to Round Top, more specifically Zapp Hall in Warrenton. It was a new beginning, a new family, and a new season of life ... it is where I launched Denverado’s lifestyle brand...

I hope you come to see me in my building I designed and built. I’d love to meet you and swap stories. I’ll be at Zapp Hall this month, October 14th - Oct 30th selling my merchandise and throwing a few great dance parties! You might even catch me singing with The Black Cat Choir! Mark your calendars for Friday, October 21 - Denverados 80’s Nite in the Zapp Hall Beer Garden (costumes encouraged) Wed. October 26th at The Halles in Round Top/ Disco Party in The Crown Bar!

Thursday, October 27th is The Big Texas Prom Nite at Zapp Hall. The theme for Disco Alley will be “Alice in Wonderland.” I hope to see you there!

4. What kind of service do you provide?

Interior design, landscape design, and Home organization, I can also design and build you a party barn! Dj the party or the wedding you throw in your party barn! It’s a multifaceted list for sure.

5.) What is your background?

I come from a long line of teachers, preachers, and builders. As a child, I was a daydreamer. I was purely creative and could always draw anything, and over the years I have used those gifts in everything I do… from acting to singing, painting to writing, promoting to planning parties, interior design to landscaping.

6.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

Take a deep look at where your mind goes when you dream about the future. What does it look like? Is it something that gets your heart pumping and your mind racing? If so, Go ahead a jump! Let your curiosity and your dreams drive your life … not your fears … dive into the deep end, face your fears with passion, make some mistakes, learn from them and pick yourself up again, don’t quit, then down the road you can be confident in knowing this is the life you chose, you never settled for anything less. I’m big on hustling, but I’ve also learned and experienced through my faith.

7.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training?

Oh, I believe that you can never get enough training and experience, wherever that comes from. I’ve learned from my parents, college professors, preachers, and teachers. My children teach me and traveling has been a wonderful teacher and inspiration as well. We are all in this “school of life” every day, it’s up to us if we want to continue to learn and grow.

8.) How did you decide to give the name to your business?

Well, My given name is Denver. Little did my parents know that the name they chose for me would set my course on an open road up into the high mountains, not just physically, but spiritually as well. I’ve always had a love of the American West, Native Indians and their culture, the lore and grit of the pioneers, and big skies and frontiers that stretch further than the eye can see. Those are my inspirations. “I like little roads without numbers the best, the dusty bumpy ones that lead over hills to places unknown. I wander seeking competition in unforeseen encounters and unexpected sites, in sunsets, storms, and passing beauty. I keep thinking I’ll find something wonderful just around the next bend.” I always do! I wrote that over thirty years ago. That’s who I am, Denverado Texas. The name Denver means, “journey or passage” … go figure!

9.) What are some things you’ve learned through your business and your life?

Good question, here are my 20 learned lessons and wisdom gained 1. No one has it all figured out.

2. NEVER let your INNER CHILD die. 3. Smile and laugh often! 4. Good or bad you can learn from everybody. 5. Maturity is accepting that you won’t always get the answers to the shit that hurt you the most ... heal anyway. 6. Embrace all your emotions, don’t ignore them, if ignored ... then it will take longer to heal. 7. To love is to be vulnerable, stay open or you might miss out on the greatest love of your life.

8. You don’t have to learn everything the hard way. 9. Have integrity, Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. 10. One day you will need to be forgiven, learn to forgive. 11. NOBODY reads minds, just say what you feel. 12. Listen to understand, not respond. 13. Before you speak, ask these questions first...Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? 14. No one prepares you to watch your parents grow old ... time is not on our side. 15. Everyone you LOVE is eventually going to die, so spend time with those you love and connect with, it’s worth every minute ... see #7 above. 16. Be you, blaze your own trail ... your tribe will come alongside you. 17. Keep a sense of wonderment and always go on an adventure ... play! 18. In life “you” really don’t control much...but you do control the choices you make. Live by the fruit of the Spirit ... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ... there is no law against these things. Tend to (weed) your garden.. 19. Love people right where they are at. 20. Pray ... always pray ... God knows the desires of your heart ... He has a better plan for your life than you do!

10.) What makes you laugh?

Life! I find humor in everything!