Check Out Sarah Carrillo’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Carrillo.

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?
My Name is Sarah Carrillo and I established The Speakeasy in 2012 on the corner of Main St and 3rd Ave right in the heart of the downtown district of Longmont, Colorado. We just celebrated our 13 year anniversary go being in business last weekend! I was born and raised in Wisconsin and my family migrated west landing in Longmont, CO mid 90’s. I did not immediately join but did move here in 1998. I started my family and raised 6 amazing humans with my 1st business being an in-home daycare of 10+ years. In 2006 I started in this industry 1st working at The Dickens Opera House for many years. I worked at multiple different locations for many years until I found myself with an inheritance that would provide me the means to Establish, create and operate The Speakeasy in the basement space of Longmonts historic Imperial Hotel. We opened for business January 28, 2013 and have been in this community contributing for a successful 13 year run and anticipate on being here for many years to come. While there have been extremely challenging moments (such as COVID era) I can say I feel incredibly blessed to have such an establishment that has united so many in community and has added to the growth of Longmont. In June of 2023 I was fortunate to purchase the Imperial Hotel and have been heading the development of the restoration of this incredible historic gem! Many memories stem from The Speakeasy in addition to marriages, children, unions and lasting friendships and collaborations. While we are a space to meet friends and family we also strive to cultivate an amazing Live Music scene that provides an environment where artists, musicians and so much more can share their talents and many get to enjoy! Thank You for this opportunity to share not only what we have here but for the future vision as a whole @ 301 Main St.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The 1st 3 years was many nights of crying myself to sleep and questioning who do I think I am lol. Years 3-5 was a bit smoother having built a more stable staff and regular patrons and with a clearer understanding of operating business and cultivating the music scene. At year 8 was COVID and that was terrible as the state mandated us to close our doors entirely for 10 months because we did not have a kitchen and was unable to sell food however, once the restrictions were fully lifted all of our amazing customers were so eager to return to what may have been their main source of fellowship and/or community or at minimum somewhere they would frequent. There is also the struggles of balance and anticipation of the slow times that are just the nature of the business such as dry January, New Years resolutions, holidays, back to school and late spring when everyone is anxious to be outside in the sunshine after a long winter. Staffing can bring challenges for a variety of reasons. I would love to clone myself but obviously that is not an option so finding trustworthy persons whom operate with good integrity and of good character can be frustrating as well. I am grateful for so so many teammates I have had throughout the years and without them we would not be who we are to this day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a bit of an artist in my position. I naturally am a creative individual and think outside the box often. I believe this has been instrumental in my success because we do not have a specific clientele that we reach, we are very eclectic and to do so we must have fluidity to touch so many different avenues. I appreciate all the arts and individuals expression of art. Providing a safe, fun space and being a witness to the coming together of it all is very rewarding. I must be creative in hiring staff that also can be receiving of genres and different styles that may not be of their own.

What were you like growing up?
funny question here lol. I was the oldest of three (two brothers) and we lived just outside the city in a rural area so my mom could have property for her horses on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. I had a typical gen x experience I see portrayed in so many memes. We played outside most our days and I was very athletic and adventurous. I loved to climb trees, ride my bike and horses and played sports. I was probably considered a tom boy because there were only boys in my neighborhood and was super competitive and adventurous. I loved fashion and makeup and was very girlie on the flip side. I played piano very well and loved music!
When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I had two answers for most of my childhood….1. a race car driver & 2. an archeologist. I loved digging in the dirt looking for Indian arrow heads and I loved fast cars and bikes. I think I was shy at times when uncomfortable but very outgoing when familiar with my surroundings. We had a massive extended family and I think overall I had a great childhood.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thespeakeasy.buzz or www.theimperial301.com
• Instagram: thespeakeasylongmont
• Facebook: The Speakeasy longmont