Left Hand Laurel – Deborah Read Fowler

The adage, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," typifies Niwot's Deborah Read Fowler. Read Fowler, owner of Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate (DRF), was already resolutely involved with the community when along came COVID-19, shifting her dynamism into overdrive. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and a keen sense of humor, Read Fowler simply gives her all to Niwot, which is why she is the recipient of this month's Left Hand Laurel.

"What is new is my concern, and I'd say passion in equal measure because we're at a very fragile state at the moment with the COVID thing," Read Fowler said.

"It's so key to have a proper downtown and it's such a precious thing. Precious things need looking after," Read Fowler said referring to Niwot's commercial heart - the Cottonwood Square Shopping Center and businesses along Second Avenue.

With stringent COVID regulations making it particularly difficult for small town businesses to survive, Read Fowler's mindset was, "We've just got to adapt." Realizing this made her excited to evolve business as usual approaches into novel new ways to support local commerce, many of which are likely to have staying power after the pandemic passes.

Niwot Business Association (NBA) president, Eric Bergeson, owner of Niwot Wheelworks and the Wheel House Bar said, "We all worry that our event or program will fall flat or fail in some way, and I think that many times fear causes us to pull back a bit or even completely. There is no fear in Deb. She's willing to put herself out there and take the risk."

It was Read Fowler's idea to tout the "Keep Niwot Strong" slogan. Those three simple words materialized into a mountain of efforts and events which Read Fowler was instrumental in creating, organizing, and implementing.

Read Fowler's 20 years of experience in supply chain management, basically moving things around the world, was powerful training in the art of resourcefulness. It gave her the wisdom to know that when life feels out of our control, it's important to be laser focused on that which is controllable.

"Deb really has been remarkable in this challenging year," Bergeson said. "When we fully realized that most of our traditional events meant to attract folks into town wouldn't be happening at all this year, Deb stepped up in a big way and we all saw the results."

As it became clear that necessary safety measures would last longer than originally anticipated, Read Fowler's role as the vice-president of the NBA and a business owner put her smack dab in the middle of problem solving. When businesses were ordered to lock down in March, Read Fowler helped initiate a gift card program for local businesses with a centralized purchasing point at the Niwot Market.

Then there was a series of COVID-safe weekend sidewalk sale events and the Fall Pumpkin Walk offering shoppers a month-long giveaway of treats as they visited local businesses and OctoberFeast where eating and drinking establishments set up outdoor stands to allow for safe strolling.

A splash of end-of-year holiday events took place during December featuring horse and carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, musicians, and pop-up vendors throughout the town.

Businesses reported there was an uptick in sales as a result of the intentional lively energy being spread throughout town. "It was a team effort," Read Fowler said. "It just makes me happy."

Fowler also sponsored a gingerbread house competition, purchasing the kits in order for the $420 raised to be donated to the local chapter of Cakes4Kids, which provides birthday cakes to children who are in shelters, group homes, and low-income housing.

The rollover into a new year brought more inspired happenings - Jumpstart January, with activities throughout town and prizes sponsored by DRF Realty and the Après Ski Pop-up celebration featuring music, food, and drinks.

Catherine McHale, NBA Economic Development Director said, "Deb is a powerhouse of activity and creativity who truly makes things happen. I love collaborating with her on our many happenings in Niwot."

Read Fowler's community involvement is extraordinary even in an ordinary year. She's served as the NBA vice-president for the past four years, and for ten years she's taken on the role of the president of WINC (Women's International Niwot Club) which culminates each year with the hugely popular Holiday Craft Fayre at the Left Hand Grange. Read Fowler is also the president of a Front Range Leading Ladies (FRILLS), a local women's business group. She was a board member and is now a guild member of Community Food Share and is on the board of directors for the Boulder Symphony.

Each year Read Fowler sets up Santa's Mailbox for children to send and receive Christmas letters, she's involved in fundraising events for Boulder Voices for Children, and she collects items for Love for Lily, a non-profit for families with babies in intensive care.

She said she perceives her immersion in each of these entities as part of an "ecosystem" that continues to grow and support the local community.

While working in Chicago for an international shipping company, Read Fowler would often visit clients in Niwot. Twelve years ago, Read Fowler along with her husband Andrew, who is a principal with Wind Tower Technologies, decided to make this small town their home. The couple has two children, Francesca (11) and Oliver (15).

Read Fowler has been selling residential real estate for seven years, starting DRF Real Estate/Colorado Landmark Realtors seven years ago. Her business has since become a top-seller of homes in Niwot.

She tells her kids, "You've got to make sure you've put your best effort in and you've got to do your bit." Her kids are definitely listening. Francesca holds the record for selling Girl Scout cookies in her troop, and in 2019 Oliver organized a fundraising dinner to benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

"One of many things I have learned in my role on the NBA board this year," Bergeson said, "is that there is no dearth of passion and good ideas for generating activity and business in Niwot. The challenge is leadership and execution. Deb brings it all, and she is relentless."

McHale reiterated that sentiment. "Lots of people have great ideas but this is one lady who really rolls up her sleeves and gets the job done. You know that if she gets involved in something, it's going to be a success because for Deb, there is no other option."

True to form, Read Fowler said, "The longer it goes, the more we've got to do. I think we've all got to do our bit because if we don't keep the downtown going, it affects everybody - everyone who works here and lives here."

February's Keep Niwot Strong event, Love Niwot Walk, is underway through the end of the month. Pick up a pass and a swag bag at DRF Real Estate (136 Second Avenue, Ste. E) and visit each business on the pass for a free love-inspired gift. Be sure to turn in stamped passes to be eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the month. Prizes are sponsored by DRF Real Estate, the event is sponsored by the Niwot Business Association and Niwot's Local Improvement District.