Tentiko launches, looks at growing in Denver and expanding to other cities in 2013

Jim Chesebro started rethinking his own priorities in 2011 and came up with the idea for Tentiko.

 

"It came out of a passion to rediscover my city," he says. "I wanted less stuff in my life, and more experiences. It's about wanting to experience more and possess less."

 

The resulting company, Tentiko, is "an Etsy for experiences." The company offers a curated calendar of workshops, lessons and other experiences "where we look for the best in every category," says Cyd Crouse, co-founder and CEO.

Now four employees strong, Tentiko will likely double its Denver staff in 2013 as it looks to replicate the model in other cities,  with Austin and Portland near the top of the list.

 

Chesebro, now the company's marketing lead, and Crouse had worked together for healthy-living retailer Gaiam and other ventures taking the name for the company from outéntiko, the word for "authentic" in the Papiamento language that is spoken on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. (Crouse splits her time between Curaçao and Denver.)

 

Tentiko launched with five experiences in December 2012, and has more than 30 lined up for the first two months of 2013. Chesebro says early feedback is "fantastic." He says the social (and sometimes boozy) atmosphere sets it apart from classroom experiences.

 

The cost of a Tentiko experience ranges from $25 to more than $100. The company splits revenue with the host. 

 

The diverse curriculum includes everything from turducken-making (poultry provided by host Mark DeNittis) to knitting to boxing to Denver walking tours.

"The categories are learn, make and enjoy," Crouse says.