House Notes: A Coffee Bar From Scratch. Huh?
- Guesthouse Coffee Bar
- Feb 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 6
House Notes.
A weekly newsletter in less time than your coffee takes to brew.
A Coffee Bar from Scratch
What does that mean?
Before starting the Guesthouse, I had never brewed a cup of coffee or run a business. But I had spent years visiting coffee shops all over the world while traveling with just my backpack. It actually took me a long time to even enjoy the taste of coffee, but I fell in love with cafes because of how they made me feel. I used them to explore new cities, always planning my trips around which ones I wanted to visit. Despite the menus almost always being the same, each cafe had its own vibe, and I loved how a small space could reliably inspire my thoughts, introduce me to new people, and brighten my day.
Even though I didn’t know much about selling products or making latte art, when I got the chance to start something of my own, I knew I wanted to create a space where connection came first. Coffee would be important, but the experience had to be the focus. With that motivation in my heart, I trusted I would learn the rest along the way and that I'd meet the right people who could help bring my ideas to life.
Building the Guesthouse from the ground up, from scratch, means thinking carefully about every choice I make. I started the business as a pop-up because I could meet hundreds of people quickly, learn at my own pace, and keep my overhead low. I’ve had opportunities to test out new ideas quickly while always staying focused on giving every visitor my full attention and effort. These ideals led to my SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT Collaboration with Lizzie Chafin, a Denver real estate expert who cares more about her friends and community than anyone I've ever met. Together, we ran 17 unique events all over Denver that focused on connecting with our community in an authentic way, while also giving back to those who need support. We served free coffee at each event, talked with visitors about the real estate market, and launched a mission to collect 500 winter coats that we'd donate to A Precious Child Organization, which we have exciting news to share about soon!
To me, the Guesthouse will always be more than just a coffee business. It’s about creating small moments of connection that people will carry with them long after their coffee is finished. We're staying as a pop-up business for now, but when the time is right, I can't wait to open a permanent shop and see people meet their new best friend at the Guesthouse.
Stay positive,
Ian
P.S.S. I've come to understand more than ever that the easiest way to support a small business is to buy from a small business. Here are a few I've come to love:
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