Two years in business feels both longer and shorter than I ever imagined. Long enough to learn hard lessons, to feel the weight of decisions, and to understand that growth rarely comes without discomfort. Short enough to know there is still so much left to learn.

Carrying the torch to this coffee shop has stretched me in ways I didn’t anticipate — early mornings, long days, countless conversations, and quiet moments of reflection in between. But it has also given me clarity. About people. About community. And about what really matters when you’re building something meant to last. Looking back, these are a few of the lessons that continue to shape how I lead, show up, and build.

1. You can do everything “right” and still have hard days

Hard days do not mean you’re failing. They mean you’re human. Two years in, I’ve learned that effort doesn’t guarantee ease, and good intentions don’t prevent challenges.

What matters most isn’t perfection — it’s resilience. Choosing to keep going, even when things feel heavy or uncertain, has been one of the most important lessons of all.

2. Community is not a buzzword — it’s the backbone

This belief in community has also opened the door to meaningful conversations with other like-minded business owners. Conversations rooted in the understanding that we’re not here to compete for scraps, but to build something sustainable together.

Because the truth is, if we aren’t working with one another, we end up working against each other and that’s where division starts to creep in. When that happens, everyone loses. The value, trust, and sense of belonging that make a community strong begin to erode.

Choosing collaboration over comparison has allowed space for support, shared ideas, and mutual respect. It’s reminded me that community isn’t just about customers — it’s about the people brave enough to open their doors, take risks, and show up for one another day after day.

And when we protect that, when we choose connection instead of competition, we preserve the very thing that makes this place and this town special.

3. Growth is uncomfortable — and it’s earned

The growth we’ve felt and experienced over the last two years hasn’t come from one big moment or overnight success. It’s been the result of showing up consistently, even when it was hard, even when the path wasn’t clear, and even when growth felt uncomfortable. That growth is a testament to the people who believed in us early on, the ones who kept coming back, and the ones who chose to give us grace as we learned and evolved. It’s also a reflection of the countless small decisions made behind the scenes — refining systems, adjusting expectations, listening more than talking, and being willing to change course when something wasn’t working. Growth has stretched us in ways we didn’t expect. It’s required uncomfortable conversations, deeper self-awareness, and a willingness to let go of what’s familiar in order to make room for what’s better. But in that discomfort, we’ve found clarity, resilience, and a deeper understanding of what we’re building.

Real growth isn’t loud. It’s steady. And it’s built over time — one day, one decision, one cup at a time.

4. You won’t please everyone — and that is okay!

If I’m being honest, this is a lesson I thought I’d have figured out by now. Two years in, I’ve learned and am still learning — that you can lead with good intentions, do your best, and still find yourself navigating moments that don’t go the way you hoped. Those moments can be discouraging. They can make you second-guess yourself. But they also carry some of the most important lessons. Whether it’s with customers or staff, I’ve come to understand that not every decision will land the same way for everyone and that doesn’t automatically make it wrong. There is almost always a larger picture in play. One that includes sustainability, leadership, boundaries, growth, and values that don’t always show up neatly in a single interaction.

Here’s what I know now: clarity is more important than approval.

As a recovering people pleaser — okay, fine… a semi-recovered people pleaser — this has been hard-earned wisdom. I’ve spent a lot of time wanting to smooth things over, make everyone happy, and avoid discomfort. But two years in, I’m realizing that staying rooted in our values matters far more than any external noise. Approval is fleeting. Values are not. And learning to stand firm in that, even when it’s uncomfortable — is part of the work.

5. The dream was always the big picture — but the small wins fuel the fire

Owning a coffee shop was always the dream. The idea of creating a space where people could gather, connect, and feel at home has lived in my heart for a long time. But what I’ve learned two years in is that it’s not the big milestones that keep you going — it’s the small wins. It’s the regular who knows your name. The customer who brings a friend in and says, “You have to try this place.” The quiet moments where you step back and realize something is working — not perfectly, but meaningfully. Those are the moments that fuel the fire.

Small wins have a way of reminding you why you started in the first place. They show up in ways that aren’t always measurable or shareable, but they matter deeply. They build confidence, reinforce purpose, and make the long days feel worthwhile. The dream may have been the big picture, but it’s the everyday moments — the consistency, the care, the connection  that keep the vision alive. And two years in, I’ve learned to celebrate those moments just as much as any milestone. 

6. You grow alongside your business

Perhaps the biggest lesson of all: the business grows as you do. Confidence is built through action. Humility opens the door to possibility. Compassion and capitalism can coexist. And leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being willing to learn.

Two years in, we’re still learning. Still refining. Still showing up. We don’t have it all figured out — but we’re proud of how far we’ve come and deeply grateful for the people who have walked alongside us.

If you’ve supported us, cheered us on, offered grace, or simply chosen to walk through our doors — thank you. You’re part of this story more than you know.

Here’s to continuing the work, honoring the lessons, and building something meaningful — together.