Meet Febe Valdez | Cafe Owner & Barista

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

Hi Febe, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the beginning of my business endeavor, I was fully submerged in all of the background work that goes into running a cafe. Over the last few months I have learned to outsource as much as possible and give a little more trust to those around you to take care of the tasks you assume only you can do well. It has been a slow transition into relinquishing some of that control. As I look back at even just 8 months ago, I am grateful I took the steps necessary to be able to do that and regain some of my time and freedom to use that time to do things I enjoy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Quality customer service is a huge driving factor in what sets us aside from other cafes in the area. The social aspect of being a barista is my favorite part of the role. I truly believe that enjoying what you do is crucial to finding your work to be fulfilling. When you enjoy this aspect of serving customers, the lengths to which are you are willing to go to ensure customer satisfaction are greatly expounded.
Since my entire background has been customer service in many different ways, this side of being a barista comes easily. In the past, I have been in positions that weren’t as enjoyable as running a cafe. There are definitely some roles in the food industry that are much more strenuous and less rewarding. The bottom line is that good customer service should be the standard regardless of the circumstance.
We want people to know that when they step into Willow & Fern they will be treated as a member of something greater than just a cafe. Our desire is to be welcoming to all that step into our doors. Our regulars have truly become a part of our growing family and we hope that anyone who gives us a visit feels as though they are welcome to be a part of it as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my bestie was coming to visit I would start with planning some day time visits to local thrift stores near Brighton. Such as Finders Keepers Vintage and Thrift or The Lafayette Flea Market just up the road. Since I love spending time in Denver, I would be sure to pop into Denver Central Market and grab pastries from Izzio’s Bakery. If the weather was nice we would include a visit to the Denver Botanical Gardens or drive a bit up the road and take a nature walk at Roxborough State Park. After a long day of hanging out, we would recharge the next morning by visiting Dandy Lion Coffee for the best Vietnamese iced coffee in Denver. Lastly, I would be sure to check out Populus for tasty drinks and pretty architecture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family and friends ultimately deserve the recognition for being such an encouragement to me throughout the process of starting my own business. While I was still in school and the cafe was a mere idea, I had friends that rallied around me and reminded me that I was fully capable of pulling it off and doing it well. At the time the idea was incredibly overwhelming but as is it pieced together over the next few months, I felt as though I had this extra level of pressure to make them proud. This feeling was more motivating than anything and as they continue to support me on my journey I am so grateful for my college crew that became family. As for my actual family, I cannot express enough how crucial their support has been in my business endeavor. Not only have they contributed financially, but also by way of creating a safe space where I could express my concerns and worries and be heard and comforted. Starting your own business can make you feel isolated many times. And though you feel as though those around you can’t relate to your struggles, having a support system that simply shows up and makes you feel heard is both comforting and crucial.

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Image Credits
Isabel Juliette Photography