More than a Women-Owned Business
Photo by Adi Sadeh
As a women owned and bipoc founded company - Alpenglow is a trailblazer in the industry. With Women’s History Month winding down, we reflect on women in business, how far they come, but also how much progress is yet to be made. More specifically, this article highlights the uniqueness of Alpenglow Coffee as a catalyst for women-led sustainable businesses.
Historically, businesses have been owned primarily by men. A recent study shows that women-owned businesses are on the rise however, making up 42% and half of them being minority owned.
Women, specifically Black women, are at the forefront of this change and are key leaders for what the future of businesses looks like. Research from a Harvard Business Review points out that 17% of black women in the US are in the process of creating or starting a business. This is compared to 10% of white women and 15% of white men. Business as usual is changing and Alpenglow is emerging as a leader in the small business industry.
Cheyenne Smith’s vision of Alpenglow began as an idea, but soon became reality. The creation of an LLC turned into a launched business in just eight months. Brigit joined Cheyenne after they met guiding for Women’s Wilderness, a nonprofit organization in Colorado that empowers women in the outdoors. Together, they partnered in the creation of Alpenglow Coffee. Cheyenne and Brigit expanded the team with contractors, freelance artists and photographers, as well as began building a team of ambassadors for the Alpenglow Ambassador Program. Jennalie, an intern from the University of Colorado at Boulder, joined Alpenglow as a social media content creator in the beginning of 2023. Sharing coffee and seeing where the brew bags take outdoor enthusiasts is one of the most rewarding parts of Cheyenne and Brigit’s work. It has since spread among outdoor enthusiasts, boutiques and storefronts, and will soon be featured at international festivals and pop-ups in the coming months.
Cheyenne and Brigit in the Lost Creek Wilderness guiding for Women’s Wilderness (Summer 2022)
The all women team has created a name for themselves without having a background in business or an understanding of what the industry entailed. From trial and error and networking, they began to realize the challenges and flaws that came with the industry, not to mention being women in a heavily male controlled environment.
Their backgrounds and values surrounding women’s empowerment, outdoor accessibility and environmental sustainability remained in the limelight, laying the groundwork for the creation of the sustainable coffee brand. They have continued to prioritize the product and stay true to their mission of ethically sourced, sustainable practices while connecting with similar brands with a shared mission. Alpenglow has built a network and community of its own, with like-minded coffee lovers and small business startups.
As Women's History Month draws to a close, Alpenglow stands out as an example of a women-owned and sustainable business that is breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated space. Through the power of storytelling and connection, they hope to create a community that is passionate about coffee and sustainably and seeks to create a new name for women-owned businesses.
