Community Highlights: Meet Tara Ames of Spruce Mountain Events, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Ames

Hi Tara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Spruce Mountain Events was a dream brought to life and love. Like many businesses, what began as a vision was forged into a reality through hard work, the generosity of many wonderful people, and most of all, the loving couples who trusted us to provide them the sacred space where their life’s bond would be formed.

In 1999 my parents bought this beautiful five-hundred acres of rolling farmland in Douglas County. They were Minnesota farmers by lineage who desired to get closer to their roots. They invigorated Spruce Mountain Ranch by making it into a working Black Angus cattle ranch. My mother is a creative genius. By trade, my father is an earthmover who built a highway construction empire. With his bulldozer as his paintbrush, together, Spruce Mountain Ranch became their canvas.

I knew the beauty my parents had created called out to be shared with the love of others.

I was an elementary school teacher and single mother of three with an entrepreneurial heart and the certainty that Spruce Mountain was where love belonged. In my classroom on my desk was my list of goals. Topping that list was my desire to present a business plan to my parents where I could open a wedding venue on the Spruce Mountain property.

My parents appreciated my vision, and being the loving and ever-supportive mentors they had been to me all of my life, they agreed to lease me a portion of the land. So, I began to “plan my work and work my plan” … having no idea what I was doing. I went from teacher to student overnight. It started small, but I had no time to rest. I had a family to feed.

I worked seven days a week. I learned the truth of the old saying, running a business is nine-to-five, growing that business is nighttime and weekends. I had to learn everything. I became an overnight “expert” in doing every job in the business – sales, marketing, event planning, giving tours, executing contracts, down to cleaning toilets. One of the greatest assets my parents instilled in me was, never be afraid of hard work.

So, I asked a lot of questions of experts in the field. I had many fears surrounding the balance of being a mother and an aspiring businesswoman with a drive to be successful. A lot of scary nights. Setbacks and mistakes were plenty, but ultimately through patience and listening to the wants and needs of wedding couples, my dream began to take form. Service from the heart was always my beacon on this journey.

Every day I am thrilled that together with my family we continue to be honored to be able to serve as the stewards of this piece of heaven here in Colorado. My family and I take great relief in knowing this beauty will be preserved for generations and this venue will be shared with those who wish to celebrate their love here. Every wedding is meaningful here at Spruce Mountain. When a wedding party comes through our gates, they join our family and become part of the legacy of this majestic mountain that we call home.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road. But I would not entertain failure. There were many sleepless nights, and plenty of long hours. I learned the value of endurance and patience. I had to make hard decisions on how I spent my time. My family had to sacrifice. Friends had to take many “rain checks”. But, looking back I would not change a thing and the people that matter most in my life are still standing right beside me today. I definitely did not do this alone.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Spruce Mountain Events, Inc.?
Spruce Mountain Events, Inc. is an event business nestled on an unrivaled mountain venue where lifelong memories are birthed and loving bonds are forged. The unique location is breathtaking, but also conveniently located centrally between Denver and Colorado Springs. The meticulous care of the grounds and attention to every handcrafted detail are apparent the moment a guest passes through our majestic and welcoming front gates.

Although we host all types of events, our specialty are weddings. Our core values of integrity, professionalism, and serving our customers “from the heart”, are what we hold most dearly. Simply, we care deeply about what we do, who we serve, and preserving the land we call “home.”

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am not sure how I feel about luck. Great question! I think luck is when you are open, willing, and able to take on an opportunity, or maybe the “luck” is the opportunity itself. I have seen many people pass up opportunities. Whether it was fear of failure, fear of the work, or just a lack of interest or ambition. So, is that bad luck?

Where I do feel lucky, is that I was born into a good and loving home. It is in my home where I got to watch the creation of a self-made man. I didn’t know anything different than to start from nothing, work harder than the next person, and come out the other side banged and beat up, but fruitful.

My dad is the ultimate entrepreneur. My mom is the most creative and loyal matriarch I have ever known. Growing up in this home and in the free country I do, is I guess what I would say pure luck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sprucemountainevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprucemountainranch
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sprucemountainevents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spruce-mountain-events/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5I7tJdwatmfroP91PL28Q
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sprucemountainevents?lang=en