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

Hi Amy, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The teenagers involved in our early venture, 1 Liquid House, took our primary idea of specific events for creative teens to a new level when they created weekly meetings to address teen mental health issues.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We are intentional about keeping Happy Crew creative, not getting stuck in programming. During 2020, this brought on a new challenge! We took time to dream, talk, plan, and design Kākou Coffee House, a place where teenagers can come together, create in our art room, play music, hang out, meet mentors, and find connections to mental health help if needed. We have created a Social Benefit Corporation, and are talking to potential investors. When we open, the teen community will design the interior. I believe teenagers are the coolest people on the planet, and I can not wait to see all that they dream!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Local music, art shows, high school theater, and the deck in our backyard where people gather most nights during the week would be my favorite places to share. I especially love it when we can incorporate some of these things together and have music nights! These nights propelled us into creating Kākou Coffee House. Kākou is the Hawaiian word for inclusiveness, and means “speak the language of we.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every teenager who has ever been involved on any level with The Happy Crew has left their own individual handprint. Some have designed our stickers, others our website. Some have recruited friends to join in the mission of destigmatizing mental health issues. Every one is passionate about ending teen suicide. Each of them shares their creative talent and heart to make Crew everything it is.

Website: www.thehappycrew.org

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.