Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Twilegar.
Hi Amanda , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We are two best friends who are creatives. 7 years ago, we started wellness retreats for makers and people to heal in the beautiful mountain settings around us. The retreats grew and gained a following. We fell in love with creating menus and specialty drinks as well as seeing our retreat goers gather around the table. We branched out into a supper club, which then grew into an opportunity to open our own restaurant space . We have been open for 3 years now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The first year and a half was a huge learning curve. We knew how to make an amazing dinner for our people, but creating systems and hiring the right crew to execute our vision was a challenge. Once we started to hone in on who we were, what our customer experience needed to be, and what we could offer, we started to level up and attract our people.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Amanda stayed home with her four kids and wrote for small magazines. Lou also stayed home with her four children, and began the Bonding Time podcast, which later became Laurel Collective podcast. Together, we did wellness retreats multiple times a year in the mountains.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Our work is extremely collaborative. We love to partner with local and regional farmers, growers, makers, artists, and winemakers to make our vibe what it is. Part of our mission is to platform others who are putting good out in our corner of the world. We could not be where we are today without the hotel owners taking a chance on us and leasing us the space to try. We especially love championing other women, since we are women ran and owned. Our incredible families who believed in us from the get-go, and our community of friends, regulars, and employees who keep showing up and coming alongside us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drinksatthelaurel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinksatthelaurel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinksatthelaurel/about/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drinksatthelaurel
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-laurel-cocktail-and-board-bar-la-grande-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
