Denver Business Leader Keo Frazier

Why She Reads to Cultivate an Innovative Mindset and See Things Differently

If you were to ever meet Denver-native Keo Frazier, you would soon discover that she is a woman of intellectual smarts and sophistication. Having met in 2010, our unique bond and friendship over the years have been filled with an uncommon rhythm and soul. We share many values and worldviews along with a fervent curiosity for all things human. 

A Colorado business innovator and trailblazing entrepreneur at heart, she has owned several successful companies including KEOS Marketing, a virtual marketing agency that she sold in 2016. 

Keo’s expertise spans a wide spectrum of areas including marketing and social media strategy, real estate, urban placemaking, arts, culture, and higher education. She has received a number of local awards including Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, Real Estate Winner, 2017, and Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Winner, 2012. 

With an Ivy League degree from Cornell University, she has spearheaded a number of marketing and branding projects throughout Colorado and nationally including with United Airlines, Forest City Stapleton, Five Points Business District, the City and County of Denver, University of Colorado, and the University of Denver among others.

In 2019, she founded New Thinkers, a thriving community of like-minded individuals that aims to bring people together in the pursuit of great change and solutions for global problems. 

On the eve of having just accepted an opportunity to become the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Denver Housing Authority, Keo and I recently sat down for cocktails to discuss books and the significance that reading has had on her life. 

On How Travel and Reading Align

Because I’m an innovator, I love to travel and experience new things all the time.  Reading is similar in that it allows me to transport myself into an alternative way of thinking. So whenever I’m reading a book, I always discover something I’d never thought of before or that emotionally touches me.

On Being Transformed

I swear that every single time I read even ten pages into a new book, my brain starts telling me that I’m already a different person and have been transformed. [Laughter]. How crazy is that! 

On Being a Speed Reader

I can get the gist of a new book really quickly. Like in the case of Brene Brown’s book “Dare To Lead” where I was quickly able to embrace the idea of leading with compassion. As a result, I spent a whole year embracing that trait. This underscores the value I find in books with respect to helping me remain innovative and pivot with the times. 

On Her Favorite Books and Genres 

I’m all over the place in terms of authors and themes that I enjoy. Honestly, I could name ten right now and then tomorrow give you another ten. One book that I frequently turn to is called Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris. It’s full of practical insights that you put into practice on a regular basis. Also, having come out as Queer a number of years ago, the books I often revisit are Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feingold and the Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. These are the types of books that teach you things about yourself that American society doesn’t. 

On Books About Business and Money

There are so many books that have provided golden nuggets in my continual quest to become a better business person and leader. To be honest, Trump’s books helped me learn a lot about business and money. Those books whether he actually wrote them or not teach you everything you need to know. A lot of the practices I engage in are because of those books. 

On Preferred Medium of Reading

Hardback all the way. I sniff the pages and love the way they feel. I always remove the paper dust jacket because I prefer the way it looks with it off. And I don’t write in my books, nor do I turn down the pages. I don’t do any of that — I like to keep them perfect. 

On One Book That Others May Be Surprised That She’s Read

Don’t laugh at me, I read “Fifty Shades of Gray” back when it came out. All in one night. It’s a book that allows people to let go and not judge. To be OK. To be you! That’s the thing about books and even art, they can free you. I particularly find it cool whenever I discover that someone else has a similar weirdo thought about life as I.