WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA BEHIND STORIES?
I think the idea behind Stories has always been in the back of my mind somewhere, I just never imagined it as something that would actually come to be. I've always loved coffee & reading. I've also always felt drawn to those warm, welcoming cafe atmospheres where you can go to relax or connect with a friend. I wanted to create that same feeling - a place that feels comfortable & inspiring, where people can share their stories over a good cup of coffee. A space opened up, & I told myself that if everything fell into place, I'd take it as a sign to pursue it, & that's exactly what happened. Everything unfolded so naturally, it just felt meant to be.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST "AHA" MOMENT OR TURNING POINT SINCE STARTING OUT?
My biggest 'aha moment' was realizing how much potential Stories had to grow once I started thinking beyond the original idea. I saw how much a coffee shop & gathering place can mean to a community. People started telling me how Stories had become part of their daily routine or how they'd met friends here or even drove a good distance just to come & it hit me that it was bigger than I imagined. A rewarding surprise.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to manage my time. When you own a small business, it's really easy to get caught up in it 24/7 - there's always something that needs your attention. I realized quickly that if I didn't set boundaries & give myself time to rest, the lack of mental reprieve would eventually cause me to burn out. Finding that balance has been a huge learning curve, it's something I have to work on constantly. That downtime, though, is actually what keeps me creative & motivated, inspiration comes when I give myself room to breathe. Creativity for me also comes from staying curious - trying new things, switching things up - I like to say I'll try anything twice.
WHAT'S ONE BOLD RISK YOU'VE TAKEN THAT REALLY PAID OFF OR TAUGHT YOU SOMETHING VALUABLE?
The boldest risk I took was buying & renovating the old building that became the new Stories. It was a huge leap for me personally, & there were moments I wondered if I'd taken on too much. But it taught me so much about resilience, patience, & trusting my instincts. It was about believing in my vision even when no one else could see it & the finish line was so far away. Looking back now, that risk completely changed my life, & it paid off in ways that go far beyond business success.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK BEFORE YOU OPENED, WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE ABOUT ENTREPRENERUSHIP WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSLEF?
If I could go back, I'd tell myself to be patient & trust the process. In the beginning, I wanted everything to be perfect from day one - the cozy space, steady customers, a smooth routine. I've learned that growth doesn't happen overnight, & every mistake or challenge teaches you something valuable - it's just part of the journey. I'd remind myself that it's okay not to have it all figured out right away - just keep going, stay true to your vision, & it will come together.