Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Aylward.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started with a fiery encounter – literally! A coffee shop caught on fire, but don’t worry, it wasn’t ours. That’s where my husband and I met, fell in love, and had our little girl. As parents, we were exhausted, but we knew we wanted to provide a bright future for our daughter. That’s why we decided to open our own coffee shop, BlueNose Coffee.
We took over a Dunn Brothers space in Farmington, MN, back in 2016 and have been going strong ever since. We’re passionate about sharing our love of coffee with the community, and we’re all about bringing a new level of flavor to the table. We’re talkin’ dark roasting, folks! We’re not just about brewing a good cup of joe; we’re about crafting an experience that’ll make you feel like you’re sipping on a little slice of heaven.
Of course, it’s not all been smooth sailing. We’ve faced our fair share of challenges, from COVID-19 to the ups and downs of the economy. But we’ve learned to adapt, overcome, and keep pushing forward. Our goal is to serve up the highest quality product, and we’re not stopping until we get it just right.
So, that’s our story – a tale of love, family, and a whole lot of coffee.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working in the coffee industry hasn’t always been a breeze, but we’ve learned to adapt to new challenges. Take Covid-19, for instance. When it hit, we took a step back and rethought what our customers really needed. We came up with some creative solutions, like our drink kits that let you make a BlueNose Mocha at home with easy-to-follow instructions and all the ingredients you need. We also started hosting coloring contests for all ages, and the response was amazing! People loved it, and it’s been a highlight. We’ve continued these initiatives over the years, and seeing the joy they bring to people makes it all worth it.
Now, we’re facing a new challenge: prices are going up across the board, from coffee beans to cups. We’re still figuring out how to navigate this, and we don’t plan on raising our prices… yet. But we can’t make any promises until we know more. What we can say is that we’re looking into offering more affordable caffeine options for our customers. Like dirty sodas, this summer!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BlueNose Coffee?
We’re BlueNose Coffee, a family-owned and operated roastery and coffee shop that’s been brewing for almost 9 years now! We’re all about serving up the good stuff – over 15+ fresh roasted coffee options all over the world, and over 20+ loose leaf tea options!
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and authenticity. We go darker than the average roaster and we don’t dilute our coffee or cold press, so be prepared for a bold and rich flavor that’ll knock your socks off! In fact, we’re so proud of our brews that we often have to warn customers how many espresso shots are in each drink, just in case they try to add more (spoiler alert: it’s a lot!).
But it’s not just about the coffee – our bakery and lunch options are made fresh locally daily, so you can indulge in some delicious treats to go along with your cuppa. And, we’re always looking to innovate and add new options to the menu, like dirty soda Yum!
When you visit us, you can expect a cozy atmosphere, complete with a fireplace in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. And, if you’re a dog lover like us, you’ll be happy to know that we’re super dog-friendly – we even have two furry friends of our own, a blue nose pitbull named Mia and a German Shorthaired pointer named Nora!
So, what do we want you to know about our brand? We’re all about serving up a warm and welcoming experience that’ll make you feel like you’re part of the family. We’re passionate about our craft, and we’re committed to using only the highest-quality ingredients to create drinks that’ll make your taste buds do the happy dance.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
At BlueNose, we love the little things that bring us joy. Like planting our patio garden in the summer – it’s so satisfying to see everything bloom! And on snowy days, there’s something magical about roasting coffee while watching the flakes fall outside our windows. We also get a huge kick out of seeing our regulars come in – we’ve heard so many amazing stories over the years, and it’s always a treat to catch up. And of course, there’s nothing better than watching our daughter grow up in the coffee shop. From having her on my hip while I work to her now making drinks and remembering our regulars like they’re part of the family – it’s been an incredible journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BlueNoseCoffee.com
- Instagram: BlueNoseCoffee
- Facebook: BlueNoseCoffee
- Youtube: BlueNoseCoffee
- Yelp: BlueNoseCoffee
