Many people dream of owning their own business one day, but for one reason or another are unable to make that dream a reality. However, Pensacola Christian College graduate Febe Valdez (Management ’24) was able to fulfill her dream. Because of her hard work and dedication, she now owns an award-winning coffee shop in her hometown.
Planning for Success
Even before going to college, Febe Valdez knew what she wanted to do—she wanted to be an entrepreneur. Knowing this, Febe looked at several colleges that offered a program in business management. Instead of settling on a college in her home state of Colorado, she chose PCC. “Most of the [colleges] available simply couldn’t grant me the bachelor’s degree at a reasonable cost,” Febe shared. “I decided to apply at PCC after I weighed the pros and cons of other paths near me in Colorado.”
“I felt as though she was very knowledgeable in her field, and that inspired me to learn and really digest what she was teaching.”
She immersed herself in her business classes, enjoying the practical knowledge each of her professors gave her. One of her professors, Mandy Kasprzyk, left a lasting impression. “I was quickly able to relate to her on a personal level since she came from a larger family and had experience in family-owned business,” Valdez said. She admired Kasprzyk for her expertise in running a small business. “I felt as though she was very knowledgeable in her field, and that inspired me to learn and really digest what she was teaching about marketing and sales,” Valdez shared.
Febe’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. Dr. Kasprzyk and other professors saw her dedication. “I had Febe in Principles of Marketing (MK 204),” shared Dr. Kasprzyk. “She was a stellar student who worked hard, was friendly, attentive, and engaged.”
Febe’s hard work could also be seen in her on-campus job. Working at Common Grounds Café, Valdez was able to build skills she later would use as a professional barista. “While at PCC, I learned the important habit of personal responsibility,” she shared. “The structure and rules set by the College helped ensure I’d stay organized and productive.” Now the owner of an award-winning coffee shop, Valdez still practices what she learned at PCC.
Launching her Dream
One week after graduation, Febe applied for an LLC and began preparing for her dream to come true. Having grown up in Brighton, Colorado, she knew it would be the perfect place for a coffee shop. “Brighton is only 15 miles from downtown Denver,” she explained. “There is an abundance of cafés and shops downtown, but Brighton has a severe lack. I wanted to give my small town a space that allows people to come together in a casual setting.”
“The response and support from our community was overwhelming from day one.”
After earning her business license and joining her town’s chamber of commerce, her new coffee shop, Willow and Fern, was nominated for (and won) the Small Business of the Year Award. “It was very rewarding to receive this award since we were so new to the area,” Febe confided. “But the response and support from our community was overwhelming from day one.”
As a small business owner, Febe does many different jobs. “On top of administrative work that is essential to us moving forward, I also work alongside my employees as a full-time barista,” Febe said. She is also responsible for restocking and inventory. Despite how busy her job is, she still loves it. “I enjoy engaging with people every day; there is beauty in getting to know those around you. We at Willow and Fern have built a beautiful community, and watching it grow is so rewarding.”
Because of her determination and her education at PCC, Febe Valdez was able to accomplish her lifelong dream. Speaking to students, she says, “I’d encourage anyone who wants to start their own business to shoot for it! It’s not easy, but with great risk comes great reward! Building something yourself that you can take pride in is rewarding.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.