Dena Rupp of Downtown Erie, PA on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Dena Rupp and have shared our conversation below.

Dena, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m ready to step outside my comfort zone and become the leader I know I’m capable of being – not for others’ approval, but for my own growth. For much of my life, I followed the expectations set by others: to listen, follow the rules, and do what was considered “right.” In doing so, I often ignored my own curiosity, creativity, and desire to explore new paths.

In my mid-30s, something shifted. I began to challenge old beliefs, ask myself hard questions, and take ownership of my life. Through self-reflection and therapy, I’ve been learning to quiet the outside noise and focus on what truly drives me.

Now, I’m committed to doing hard things – to challenging myself, following through, and seeing how far I can go. I’m learning to balance ambition with awareness, to push forward while recognizing that growth also requires boundaries. My journey is about finding that balance and becoming the most authentic version of myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dena Rupp, and I’m the founder and owner of Purrista Cat Cafe in downtown Erie, as well as the co-owner of Flagship City Press Stationery & Gifts. Purrista is Erie’s first cat cafe – a space where people can enjoy great coffee, connect with adoptable rescue cats, and feel part of a caring, creative community. Since opening in 2022, we’ve helped over 365 cats find homes, and I’m proud that something so simple has had such a big impact.

Flagship City Press grew out of my love for design and meaningful details. It’s a stationery and gift brand that celebrates creativity, connection, and local pride – from hand-designed cards and journals to curated items from independent artists. We’re opening our first storefront next to Purrista, giving Erie a space to discover beautiful, intentional products that tell a story.

What ties both businesses together is purpose. Whether it’s through coffee and cats or stationery and stories, my goal is to create spaces that inspire connection, authenticity, and joy – places that make people feel something real.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I’ve built with… myself. It took years of unlearning what I thought I was supposed to be and reconnecting with who I actually am. I grew up believing that being “good” meant keeping the peace, following the rules, and doing what others expected. Over time, that made me lose touch with my own voice.

In my mid-30s, I started doing the work – therapy, reflection, taking risks – and learned how to build a healthier, kinder relationship with myself. That process changed everything. It taught me that self-awareness isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. When you start showing up for yourself honestly, you become more grounded, more confident, and more compassionate toward others. That inner relationship has shaped every decision I’ve made since.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self to stop trying so hard to meet everyone’s expectations. You don’t have to prove your worth by being perfect or doing everything “right.” The high standards and constant pressure from family and others made you believe that love had to be earned through performance, but it doesn’t.

You’ve carried that weight for too long. You can let it go now. The things that make you different are not shortcomings – they’re your strength. Trust your instincts, even if they go against what others expect. You’ll find your place when you start living for yourself instead of trying to please everyone else. Be kind, be curious, and know that you are already enough.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s a tough one. I think the public version of me is real, but it’s not the whole story. What people see is the part I’ve learned to share. The version that’s confident, composed, and capable. It’s still me, but it’s me with the volume turned down in some areas and up in others.

Growing up with high expectations, I learned early on how to perform, how to present myself in a way that made others comfortable. It’s taken a lot of work to unlearn that and to show up more authentically, even when it feels uncomfortable or imperfect.

These days, I’m working on making those two versions of myself the same – the one the world sees and the one I see in private. I’m not all the way there yet, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been, and that feels like progress.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand how powerful it is to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. Most people avoid it – the silence, the uncertainty, the parts of themselves they’d rather not face – but that’s where growth actually happens. I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t show up in comfort; it shows up when you let yourself feel the hard things, communicate honestly, stay vulnerable, and choose compassion over judgment – both for yourself and others.

Vulnerability and compassion are where connection begins. They open the door to understanding and allow real empathy to take root. Life feels more peaceful when you stop pretending everything is fine and start showing up as your full self – honest, human, and kind. When you can sit in that space with others, without trying to fix or hide anything, that’s when true connection and growth happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purristacatcafe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purristacatcafe/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-rupp-5704112a

Image Credits
MIchaela Kessler Photography