We had the good fortune of connecting with Lacey Cooley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lacey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I had never even really considered starting my own business until after teaching middle school English for 7 years and I was burned out. I wanted the freedom and creativity I saw other entrepreneurs experience. My mom started Blessed Brews Coffee Shop back in 2004, which was inspiring in itself, but she was ready to retire and I had the opportunity to move back to Alamosa to take over the coffee shop with my younger sister in 2017. So even though I didn’t necessarily start the business, it has definitely been life-changing in the best of ways, scary, overwhelming, and so rewarding. There is so much that goes into a business, but my favorite things that it has brought to me (unexpectedly) are the genuine relationships with people in our small town and the joy of mastering my craft. I was ready for a new challenge and owning a small business has definitely been that.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My childhood dream was to become a teacher and coach. I always loved the idea of being able to impact people in my own space. I attended University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in English + Secondary Teaching + Coaching. From there I moved to Tampa, FL to teach inner city for 4 years before moving back to Westminster, CO to complete my final 3 years of teaching. I loved teaching, I loved the kids, but burn out is real. The timing was right, and my sister and I both being baristas through college decided to take the leap into business ownership. Surprisingly enough, my teaching experience has come in handy as I’m able to create impactful relationships and manage/lead employees in a successful manner. To say owning a business hasn’t been challenging would be a lie. I’m currently working to open a new location Roots by Blessed where I’ll have coffee and plants. I’ve learned that to keep the business running successfully, I have to keep the joy in what I’m creating. Recently for me– that’s houseplants. So it’s OK to adjust or to change things over time to keep the “spark” alive. That was a hard lesson for me to learn over the years. While I didn’t grow up with aspirations of being a business owner, I will say that this is one of the things I’m most proud of in my life. Yes, there are long hours and stress and frustrations but all of that makes it so worth it to see a vision come to life and know I’m building something that is positively impacting others on the daily.
At Roots by Blessed it is our mission to serve our community the best products and to make your coffee experience heavenly. We do this by staying grounded in the word while keeping open minds and humble hearts. -Hebrews 6:10
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The San Luis Valley has some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.
Day 1: I’d first have to take them to the nearby Alligator Farm in Mosca, CO and from there to the Sand Dunes Recreation Hot Springs Pool where we would drink Hard Lavender Kabocha in the Green House and eat ahi tuna. We’d camp there– best stargazing experience ever!
Day 2: We’d start off by drink coffee at Roots by blessed before heading out to Zapata Falls for a hike and then off to the Sand Dunes. Pack a lunch and enjoy the day outside. The views are spectacular!
Day 3-5: Get coffee and breakfast at Tiny Timbers in Southfork, CO before heading up to Creede. In Creede, we would shop and enjoy cold beers at Spare Keg Brewerks. Then we’d spend the night at Aspen Inn B&B and get coffee at Coffee on the Fly in Creede before taking a hike to see North Clear Creek Falls. The Creede Repertory Theater is also great entertainment. Multiple days could be spent in Creede, for sure.
Day 6: Brew coffee at home before going into town for some great BBQ at Woody’s Q Shack with Kyle Woodward in Alamosa. Their wings are the best! Then I’d take them plant shopping at North River Greenhouse. They have a great plant selection and are the nicest people. I love working with Amy Price. After that, we’d go check the farming crops where the majority of potatoes are grown in Sargent, CO and the Valley grows Coors barley. We like to spend time outdoors enjoying the scenery or helping the neighbor in the field.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The community of Alamosa and the San Luis Valley as a whole has been so supportive of our small business since 2004. They always find a way to show up and it is so appreciated! They continue to encourage and pray for me as an individual and the business that I lead, which I think has been a huge impact on the success of Blessed Brews Coffee Shop and the future of it.
My boyfriend, Derek, who also owns a small business in Alamosa. Knowing that I’m not doing this alone and having him to ask questions or advice is reassuring. Most of our conversations at home revolve around business or the “next big idea” which is exciting. I couldn’t have taken the risks to grow the business the way it has if it weren’t for him. Our 5 year old son, Jameson, loves playing food truck and the “owner of his restaurant”, so growing up with two entrepreneurial parents is making an impact, which I’m proud of.
Blessed Brews has been in my family for almost 20 years now. Our family gatherings always include coffee and I’m so grateful it has kept us so close and intertwined the way it has. Seeing my Mom and Dad build multiple successful businesses over the years and ingraining the work ethic it takes to be successful does not go unnoticed.
Website: blessedbrewscoffeeshop.com
Instagram: roots.byblessed or laceycooley
Facebook: lacey cooley