YellowDog works with some amazing organizations of all shapes and sizes, from local entrepreneurs and community organizations to national nonprofits, corporations and everyone in between. But the woman-owned small businesses we get to work with right here in Denver will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Maybe it’s the fact that our majority owner Jenny Mulligan grew YellowDog, along with her husband/partner Dan, while also raising two girls. Or maybe it’s just that no one leads the pack like a woman entrepreneur. Whatever that secret sauce is, telling women’s stories is one of our greatest privileges.
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating just a few of the woman-owned businesses we are lucky enough to work with. These renegades are making waves and building bridges in very different industries. The common thread? A genuine drive to leave a lasting legacy and lift others along the way. Plus, they’ve all used the magic of print and design to tell their stories through YellowDog. So, let’s celebrate these remarkable women and the connections they’ve made through creativity.
The Tangled Ball
When Marsha Corn started her yarn shop in Edgewater Public Market, she had no idea she was building the very community she needed. It’s no wonder that crafters flocked to her classes, events and shared workspace that are so infused with her infectious enthusiasm for the fiber arts.
But before the Tangled Ball was a bustling hub of color and creativity, it was a big idea that needed a visual identity. Marsha turned to YellowDog to build out her brand and deck out her shop.
(Fun fact: Marsha knew Creative Director Jen Gauerke from their kids going to school together. Community connection at work!)
Jen and her team brought the sense of craftsmanship and joy at the heart of Marsha’s big idea to life through the Tangled Ball’s branding and physical space. All you have to do is wander into the shop to absorb the messages that we are all a work in progress, you are welcome in the fiber arts and, even in adulthood, creative pursuits are meant to be fun.
Our best tricks at work
Logo design – We spun up a logo with just the right mix of whimsical typography and tidy (but not too tidy) lines. It’s a brand mark that’s delightfully playful and instantly recognizable.
Signage – We stitched the Tangled Ball brand into their signage—bold, inviting and impossible to miss. With crisp lettering and just the right pop of color, the shop looks as good from the outside as it feels inside.
Wall murals – YellowDog dressed up The Tangled Ball’s walls with a mural that’s as inspiring as a fresh skein—because every maker (and every masterpiece) is a work in progress.
Not-your-average business cards – Instead of settling for the expected, we designed business cards that really measure up. (These babies fold out into a legit measuring tape!)
Stickers and temporary tattoos – You know you’ve nailed the logo when you just want to stick it on everything. Luckily, we’ve got the technology to do just that.
Thinking outside the box
As the business grew, Marsha felt called to reach beyond the shop’s four walls and invite more people into the fiber arts club. She developed the WIP Kit to do just that–simplify the process of learning to knit and walk newbies through their first project one step at a time.
The product had to be as welcoming as the shop, communicating the same sense of joy visitors get when they walk into the Tangled Ball, wherever they may be in the world. YellowDog created an epic unboxing experience, complete with design and print of a custom box, welcome letter, branded tissue paper, tool bag and instruction manual.
We are lucky to have a front-row seat to Marsha’s big ideas and can’t wait to see what’s next for the Tangled Ball!
Honorable mention: Do you love these photos as much as we do?? They’re captured with skill and love by Stephanie Tucker aka Marlee.Co Portrait Photography. Stephanie has quickly become YellowDog’s go-to photographer for all things brand shoots, product photos and good vibes. We even get to do print for her business, too!
“Jen (and YellowDog) was the first and only person I thought of when opening my business. I knew she would be able to see my vision. When the store moved, I also knew Jen would be able to help me expand on what I had created.” – Marsha Corn
Danaya Wilson, Changemakers Wanted
Danaya Wilson is an award-winning CEO of international compliance training provider BetterCertify. YellowDog has worked with Danaya on design, print and marketing for her firm for years, including a 2024 rebrand. We’re so proud of the work we’ve done for BetterCertify, but even more excited about what the future holds for its intrepid leader.
Sure, she’s a 40 Under 40 honoree, a Titan 100 winner and helms a ColoradoBiz Journal Top 100 Woman-Owned Company. But her newest role might be her best yet: author!
Danaya’s first book, Changemakers Wanted: Your Blueprint for Lasting Impact and Ethical Change, was published by Forbes Books in February and is already making waves. Danaya is building a better future for women in the workplace, a mission she knows will benefit not only individual professionals but families, industries and the economy at large. Informed and inspired by her experience disrupting a traditionally male-dominated industry, she’s stepping up and speaking out to create the future she wants to see for her daughter.
Taking the book’s message beyond the page was central to Danaya’s vision from the beginning, and YellowDog was honored to help.
Our best tricks at work
Personalized book plates – These limited-edition, custom book plates are Danaya’s way of sharing a personal touch with dedicated readers, wherever they may be. The design captures the spirit of the book, with room for Danaya’s signature to turn a copy into a collector’s item. We even got to help with the copywriting!
Lapel pin cards – Danaya wanted to empower readers to spark change out in the world and connect with fellow changemakers. We created these stunning backer cards to provide context and inspire connection.
Unboxing change – This YellowDog-designed custom printed box is sure to get noticed. YellowDog helped Danaya create a stunning unboxing experience, complete with die-cut spark stickers and tissue paper.
Honorable mention: How dreamy does this book launch event look? We connected Danaya with Samantha at Sarine Planning–another local woman-owned business bringing big ideas to life and looking good doing it. Their partnership could not be more aligned, and we love seeing them shine together!
“YellowDog has been an invaluable partner in elevating both BetterCertify’s corporate brand and, more recently, my personal author brand. Their suite of services—along with their elite, custom solutions—is truly hard to find in today’s market. They are available on-demand, responsive, and deeply invested in refining messaging and branding.” – Danaya Wilson
Sticky Fingers Cooking®
When Erin Fletter founded Sticky Fingers Cooking® in 2011, her goal was simple: to spark joy in kids by getting them excited about cooking. What started as a few local classes has since expanded into a national brand teaching kids the magic of food through school programs, cooking camps, private events, online classes and brand partnerships. With over 200,000 kid chefs and 3,000+ original recipes, Sticky Fingers Cooking® is whisking up a whole new generation of confident, curious eaters!
But a growing brand needs a strong, cohesive visual identity—and that’s where YellowDog comes in. Like a great sous chef, we’ve been right by Erin’s side, bringing the Sticky Fingers Cooking® brand to life through design and print.
Our journey with Sticky Fingers Cooking® started small, but over the years, we’ve become the go-to creative team behind their vibrant branding. It’s been a perfect pairing—one part whimsy, one part strategy and a whole lot of delicious design.
Our best tricks at work
Logo and brand graphics – From fresh fruit icons to playful typography, we’ve designed a feast of visuals to match the fun, educational experience of every class.
Program branding – New programs mean fresh visuals! Each new Sticky Fingers Cooking® initiative gets a unique look while staying true to their brand’s flavorful personality.
Event design and printing – Whether it’s a franchise summit or a new marketing initiative, we’ve whipped up dynamic materials that meld perfectly with the Sticky Fingers Cooking® experience.
Stirring up a national movement
With Sticky Fingers Cooking® now rolling out as a franchise, the brand is expanding its reach far beyond its original markets. YellowDog is helping lay the foundation with:
- Franchise guides – These step-by-step manuals help new franchise owners follow the proven Sticky Fingers Cooking® recipe for success.
- Web-to-print portal – Franchisees can easily order brand-approved materials on YellowDog’s custom print-on-demand platform–because consistency is key (and nobody likes a half-baked brand presence!).
At YellowDog, we’re egg-cited to continue supporting Sticky Fingers Cooking® as they grow. It’s a privilege to collaborate with such a dynamic, mission-driven brand that’s changing the way kids experience food. Here’s to many more years of cooking up creativity together!
“I can always count on YellowDog to think deeply about our brand, nail a new design, and always deliver (and exceed) our expectations! [They’re] the secret sauce in our brand’s visual identity, and we’re so grateful for this ongoing partnership.” – Erin Fletter
These are just a few of the amazing women making waves in Denver and beyond. So this Women’s History Month, sniff out your new favorite and then bark it from the rooftops.
When you’re ready to bring your big idea, we’re here to help.
