We had the good fortune of connecting with Kirsti Logan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kirsti, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since I was little, I knew I was going to open up a restaurant or coffee shop. It’s been a dream for as long as I could remember! Born in Denver, I grew up in Melbourne, Florida. My friends and I used to play “restaurant” at The Sleepy Turtle and I was Chef Kirsti from a young age.
I got my degree in Hospitality Management in Orlando and learned everything I needed to know about the industry. My first job was as a line cook in Yellowstone National Park and I did a semester abroad in the café capital of the world: Vienna, Austria.
When I graduated, I managed the highest grossing Bubba Gump Shrimp, Co in the world for about three years until my brother asked me to move back to Colorado with him.
Our entrepreneurial genes run pretty strong in our family, and my brother had his dream of opening his chiropractic office: True North Chiropractic. So I moved back to help him open his dream, and learn first hand what it took to build something from the ground up.
Three years later, the pandemic shook the world. People all over changed their mind on what really mattered, one included. I knew it was time for me to wake up from my slumber, and begin my dream.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an artist in so many ways. I source the highest quality of fair trade and organic beans to my people, but I do so in an art form of my own creation. My business is located in the heart of a 1974 VW Van, so lots of character in one business!
Not only have I chosen quality coffee, but my roaster is local and gives a portion of their proceeds to fight human trafficking.
Along with fighting for freedom, my business model also includes fighting for the planet. My mission is to make the biggest impact on the world while making the smallest economic footprint as possible. My cups and my bags are fully compostable, and I have chosen partners who believe in the same ideals as I do,
Sustainability is not easy, but it’s worth it!
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?
When planning tours, I always break it up into restaurants, coffee shops, bars, activities. I live in Rockrimmon, so I usually take them to my favorite breakfast spot New Day Café then drive through Centennial to Garden of the Gods. I always take them up to Manitou Springs to explore that region, then come down through Old Colorado City to visit my favorite shops. Eclectic OCC and Heartshake Studios and maybe get some lunch at La Baguette (best French Onion soup). Then head to downtown to explore those shops and of course food at just about any restaurant off Tejon St. Dos Santos, Fat Sullys, anything in Coati.
I make sure to take them to Broadmoor and get the gelato from Cafe Julie’s and I take them on a tour of their chocolatier room with the head chocolatier herself Chef Amanda. Lunch at the Golden Bee with a little bit of harassment from the bar staff.
Night activities can vary from just about any place in town that has live music. Ivywild, Lincoln Center, LuLus Downstairs, COATI, Whiskey Baron. So many good places!
A few of my favorite coffee shops are Loyal of course, Switchback Roasters, and Wayfinder Coffee.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All of my success wouldn’t be possible without my faith in the Lord, my parents and the mentorship from my family at True North Chiropractic. They have built me up into the person I am today, and have given me the tools I need to be both a creator and an engineer.
The community here in the Springs has been the funnest and most integral part of building this business, and I believe the coffee business is more about community and connection than anything else.
Website: www.thesleepyturtlecoffeeco.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/thesleepyturtlecoffeeco
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsti-logan-b65087a7
Facebook: Facebook.com/thesleepyturtlecoffeeco
Youtube: YouTube.com/thesleepyturtlecoffeeco