One Year of The Coffee Collect: Lessons, Gratitude, & What’s Next
December 19th marks the first birthday of The Coffee Collect. I thought it’d be fitting to explain the story behind it all. So, without further ado, here it is:
one year in!
One year ago, I had just finished my first semester of freshman year at college and was home for Christmas Break with lots of free time on my hands.
This large amount of free time was looked at as an amazing opportunity. I had a few quiet dreams floating in the back of my mind, and I could picture myself full of regret in a few years if I didn’t seize the gift of free time that I had. If I didn’t start chasing my dreams now, would I ever? I had to do something.
One of those dreams was to one day own a coffee shop.
Of course I had to face reality.
For many reasons, I was in no position to actually own or operate a coffee shop.
However, during the entrepreneurship class I had just completed at college, my professor repeated one phrase over and over: “You have everything you need.”
This sentence stayed with me and I took the lesson to heart.
My mindset changed. Instead of focusing on everything I lacked, I began asking myself a different question: What can I do right now that moves me one step closer to this dream?
The answer seemed simple — learn.
If I couldn’t open a coffee shop yet, I could start learning everything I could about coffee and invite others along for the journey.
That’s where The Coffee Collect began. One whole year ago!
With very little knowledge on how to build a website or start writing blogs, I just went for it. I spent hours and hours working on very minor details. Many things probably could have been done far more efficiently, but those hours were part of the learning process.
Slowly but surely, a rough website came into existence. It’s still a work in progress, and I hope it always will be.
After a few months of reluctance, Instagram entered the picture.
Why reluctance?
I’ve always had a strong dislike for Instagram. I do not regret starting an Instagram account and I am extremely grateful for the coffee collect Instagram community that has formed there, but my main struggle is that I don’t want to simply just be another creator on social media that is constantly chasing after more and more likes, views, and followers. I want real connections with real people. That being said, I’m still discerning my usage of Instagram and would truly appreciate any and all advice or suggestions that you may have!
After a few more months and some encouragement through God and others, I took another step and began hosting a small pop-up coffee shop on my college campus.
And that is where this journey stands today.
my love for coffee
It is true that God often works through unexpected beginnings. I used to hate the taste of coffee…and now look at me.
My love for coffee didn’t begin with coffee itself, but it began with what happened around coffee. At my grandma’s house, coffee was simply what we did. We would sit around the table, coffee in hand, and talk about anything and everything. I loved these moments, and through these moments, I began to love coffee.
Then I started working at a little local coffee shop. It was amazing to see how coffee created space for connection. As a barista, I loved to witness the connections that happened between customers, between coworkers, and eventually between myself and the people I served. What started out as “work” or “just a job” slowly changed into an opportunity to make someone’s day just a little bit better.
I completely fell in love with coffee shops. And no, I’m not talking about those rushed transactional places that do as little as take your order, give you a coffee, and send you on your way. Rather, I fell in love with coffee shops that are inviting and connection based.
One day, while sitting in a coffee shop, I found myself quietly observing. At one table I saw a family sharing coffee and breakfast. At another, an elderly man read the morning paper. Nearby, four colleagues worked through a business meeting, while a couple sat at the table beside them on a coffee date. Over there a few students worked hard on their studies, and by the window two friends sat for hours and hours catching up on each other’s lives.
I couldn’t help but smile and think, “This. This is what coffee is all about.”
Some of my longest heart-to-heart conversations, deepest prayers, and most meaningful moments of connection and reflection have happened over a cup of coffee.
It is safe to say that God has used coffee as a tool to shape me into who I am today. Coffee is a gift that opens the door to many more gifts. I want to bring this to others.
what this year taught me
Honest lessons from year one.
Keep Your Foundation
Some say that following your dreams require sacrifice–and they do– but if what you sacrifice is your relationship with God, then your dream is no longer worth chasing. God is first. Always. He is the one who created me with this dream, and He has proven to be the wisest guide and most-loving friend through every success and failure.
Listen to Those Who’ve Been There
Advice from the people who have been through this process is invaluable. If they are all saying, “consistency is key,” then you better believe consistency is key.
Perfectionism Has to Die
As much as you want, you cannot do it perfectly. The most important thing is that it gets done, no matter how messy and how imperfect it may seem. My first blog posts and Instagram posts were messy and far from perfect. I refuse to delete them however, because every time I go back and wince at how bad they are I can simultaneously see how much I’ve grown.
Your Personal Dream Will Involve a Lot More People than Just You
You cannot and should not do it all alone. There are people who want to help, and they are a gift that should not be overlooked or taken for granted. Let go of some of the reigns and see what a gift it is to have a community form around your dream.
Practical Skills Matter Too
This journey has taught me far more than I anticipated: Barista skills, website development, SEO-optimization, content creation, AI utilization, copywriting, editing, and more. Each skill has been part of the refinement.
gratitude!
This journey has never been mine alone.
I’m thankful for the people whom I’ve been able to witness boldly pursuing their own dreams. Their courage and example has inspired me more than they know.
I’m endlessly grateful for my family, who supported me even when the vision wasn’t fully clear.
I’m deeply thankful for the community at AMU, especially for those who stood beside me day after day, offering the sweetest encouragement, belief, and friendship.
The biggest thank you to my roommate (you know who you are 😉 ). She’s been the best of friends, the greatest supporter, and the best employee / vice president. This wouldn’t be what it is without you <3
As some of you know, this work is financially sustained in part through affiliate marketing on the website. Because of this, I’m especially thankful for those who have supported The Coffee Collect through their purchases. Your support helps sustain this work and allows me to continue learning, creating, and reinvesting back into this space.
To everyone who has read a blog post, followed along on Instagram, or supported this journey in any way– you are part of this story and I am forever grateful.
Above all, I am thankful for the unmistakable blessing the Lord has placed on this journey. Any good that comes from it belongs to Him. He alone is praiseworthy.
what’s next for the coffee collect.
Blog posts and Instagram posts will continue about all things coffee.
Pop-up coffee shops on my college campus will continue–with every dollar reinvested into making them better and more intentional.
Dreams of a coffee cart or mobile coffee truck are on the horizon, possibly becoming reality during summer break of 2026!
I hope to create a coffee Bible study group of sorts.
On the website, I eventually plan to add a section called Coffee with a Purpose, highlighting brands within the coffee industry that exist with a purpose much greater than profit.
As you can see, much of the future is still unfolding and my hope is that this community takes part in how it unfolds, so I earnestly welcome all ideas, suggestions, and prayers as it does.
All in all, I am just so so so grateful for this past year. I am excited about what the Lord has planned for the future because I know, through it all, He is good.
With coffee in hand, cheers to another year!
-Annaliese, creator of the coffee collect.
To those of you that actually took the time to read all of this, you guys are so awesome.
