When Denver native Alyce Blum was a junior at East High School, she decided to take a semester off and travel and study; she found a place in Ecuador that would take her. East said OK, her parents said, “What? Wait until college for that junior year abroad!” But Alyce was persistent, so off she went to Guayaquil to work on her Spanish and have an adventure at 16. “I cried a lot but eventually made a few friends and was popular in the English classes. I learned a lot about myself, about the power of travel and life.”
Throughout her life, Alyce Blum has drawn on a deep sense of joy and ambition, always seeking experiences beyond her familiar surroundings. Raised as the youngest of three in a supportive family, she was encouraged to set goals and pursue her plans, which led her to study international relations at CU-Boulder. Her adventurous spirit took her to Madrid during her junior year, where she immersed herself in new cultures, honed her Spanish skills, and returned with a broadened perspective and a drive to explore further opportunities.
After graduation, Alyce set her sights on Washington, D.C., putting her degree to use as she entered the professional world. She began her career at Patton Boggs LLP as an in-house recruiter, interviewing potential summer associates and lateral hires. This role offered her valuable insights into the legal profession, the dynamics of working in D.C., and the realities of corporate life. After three years, Alyce felt it was time to return to Denver and pursue her original interest in international relations.
And, she found it with the Canadian Consulate in Denver, working in their trade commissioner office with high-level networking within the five-state area. While her achievements were externally validated—traveling, building relationships, and excelling at her job—Alyce realized something was missing on a personal level. Encouraged by her father to consider further education, she instead reflected on her strengths in connecting with others and began exploring professional coaching as a career path.
Her next stop? Working part-time at Lululemon, folding yoga pants, she had a great boss there who worked with her to help her create specific goals and a 10-year vision. Together, they came up with a plan that was far beyond pricey, stretchy pants.
She decided to become a Certified Professional Coach and trained under The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), she established her own business – Alyce Blum Coaching and Consulting. She conducted market research and began her own free Meet-Up Group where, once a month, she had sessions teaching professionals the how-to’s of networking. “It’s not just talking to people and grabbing their business cards, it’s learning and then practicing how to start a meaningful conversation, how to pivot out of a conversation, and of course, how to introduce yourself in a meaningful and memorable way.”
Skeptics would say: Everyone can network, all you have to do is talk to people.” Au contraire.
It turns out that there’s etiquette with networking. You don’t just foist a business card on someone. You take time to learn what’s going on and how the spoken words of a presentation find a common connection. You build relationships based on shared interests and clear communication.
Her expertise soon led to speaking engagements around the world, where she facilitated group workshops and helped professionals refine their networking strategies for real results. To further amplify her impact, Alyce partnered with Keith Bailey and Renee Larson to create Articulated Intelligence (AI), a business dedicated to merging traditional coaching methods with soft skills development. Together, they focus on helping professionals strengthen their verbal communication, forge strong connections, and maximize their networking experiences. The Articulated Intelligence team continues to travel and work remotely, empowering others to succeed through the art of meaningful networking.
Along the way, she met Habib Guerrero, a petroleum engineer, Colombian national volleyball player and professional model, who came to the U.S. to get his master’s degree. They clicked and have been married for nine years and have a six-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. In July 2019, they moved to our Lowry in a neighborhood full of children and parks. “We love Lowry for all the green areas, great parks, and stores. Logan Coffee Shop, Target, Crisp N’ Green, the Lowry Beer Garden, Woodgrain Bagels … there are so many good places here.”
Recently they joined in the fun at LUN’s Independence Parade and Celebration. “We find so much to do here, and in the fall, the trees are glorious with colors. Lowry is a great place to work and live. It’s convenient to the airport and downtown for meetings, so I am nicely placed here for work and family. The grandparents are nearby too. But what we love most about Lowry are the people, our neighbors. They are kind, fun and the type of people you can lean on for the good and the hard times.”
So, what have we learned from this wonderful story of a woman who gets what she wants, works hard, knows how to network, sells it, and seems to have the greatest of lives? For one thing, life isn’t always a straight line, so don’t give up, keep trying, work hard to be genuine, save all your good suits, listen to people, and yes, get and give business cards only if they are politely offered.
Alyce Blum is an articulate and delightful woman who practices what she preaches and gets what she wants.
Meet Your Lowry Neighbors is a monthly feature written by our intrepid reporter Sally Kurtzman, who knows everyone in our community. If you have a suggestion for a Meet Your Lowry Neighbors, please send us an email to connect@lowryunitedneighborhoods.org.