We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Tollefson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I left a big corporation as a Senior Promotions Producer at FOX Sports to start my own company. After starting docu+brand C R E A T I V E and having 4 people working out of my home office and having my dog barking while I was on the phone with the clients, I realized we needed another workspace option. The concept of coworking intrigued me over the years as I love the idea of collaboration. Hence why The Flamingo House came to fruition, a creative coworking space that is geared to the small startup or freelancer who wants to be around a community to help grow their business. The Flamingo House is named that because flamingos do better together and that is the nature of our space.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nothing is easy in life. I think we all have great ideas. What separates the ideas from the execution are the people willing to wake up at 4am and put those ideas into action. Nothing is impossible. If you are saying something is impossible, you might just ask yourself if that is just an excuse. Entrepreneurs find a way. Then, we all have to find a way in business to not only survive but to thrive and find a happy space where you have balance and can enjoy your passion.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I love from Jupiter all the way down to the Keys, but my jam are my local spots in east Boca and Delray Beach. Rebel House is near Mizner in Boca – it’s that Wynwood vibe meets small-town. Ask for the jalopeno watermelon cocktail that isn’t on the menu, but the guy with the stache will make it everytime! Prosperity Brewery is next to The Flamingo House – the best craft beer in town and ask for a Clutch Plate IPA from Dom. Oceans 234 on the beach! Tucchi’s pizza by Sanborne Square. Dadas is a quaint restaurant in a converted house off Atlantic Ave in Delray. I’m definitely taking a friend in town on Birds to tour my buddies at Next Door / C&I Studios in FATS Village. Thrift Shop in Wilton Manors – you might just catch me with my mammadeaux finding some mid-century bargain at Jasper Kane consignment. Showing public art in Wynwood – most likely ending up at Wood Tavern, one of the originals; or you can take someone special to that intimate, hidden gem of a mojito bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mentors in my life helped me build more character, lead me in the right direction and inspire me. I credit my brother who explained that you shouldn’t just exchange time for money at a corporation, you should put your passion into work and become an entrepreneur to make it happen yourself. He is an entrepreneur running two large companies called Tikiz and Selluxe with a motto of: “what steps are you taking today for tomorrow.” Kristy Whelchel, a boss woman from Whelchel Partners, was an old soccer coach who is still a huge influence guiding me through positive choices in life. The most recent bond I have made is with Andrea O’Rourke from Boca Raton’s City Council, who is responsible for creating the Art in Public Places Board that she encouraged me to sit on. As a huge advocate for public art, she and I align on so many visions for bringing more art + culture to our town. I believe in a collaborative, team approach and loyal people who have my back – the ones that aren’t high fiving me if they think I’m not making wise decisions, they tell me straight up how they feel but they know they just want me happy and support the paths I take and wild business ideas that pop in my head. I surround myself around people who are smarter than me, who push the envelope, who like coming up with outside the box ideas and who can push me to be a better version of myself.

Website: www.theflamingohouse.com
Instagram: @theflamingohouse
Facebook: theflamingohousecoworking
Youtube: The Flamingo House Boca Raton
Other: @docubrand www.docubrandcreative.com

Image Credits
Amber Tollefson