Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Wesson.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
About three years ago, after a tragic loss in our family, we began searching for something to fill that space in us that felt so empty. We had rescued a herd of alpacas a few years earlier and had fallin in love with everything about them. We wanted to find a property that we would have room to grow our herd and open up our farm to the public. We wanted to share our love of alpacas with everyone. Wanting families and passerby’s to stop in a have an alpaca experience.
In 2017, we found a perfect property. It was a property that would need a lot of love before opening to the public. We started renovations on our cabin, which was build in 1896. We lived in our camper for six months before moving into our beautifully renewed home. Which we instantly fell in love with and will call our home for a very long time.
We then began renovations on another building built in 1896. This gorgeous old building is now our rustic Alpaca Boutique. The summer of 2019 was our first summer to be open to the public. It was AMAZING!! I soon realized that at the tender age of 59, I had found my passion. Everyday moms & their kids, grandmas and their grand children, families, and those just driving by would pull in to see what the alpaca fuss was all about.
I had never been in retail, so it was quite fun purchasing, stocking and running my beautiful little boutique. The response from the public was so amazing. We are continually being thanked for opening up our little piece of paradise to others. Sitting on our porch, or watching from our cabin window, as so many giggle & laugh as they have an experience with our furry little friends. This is so heartwarming and makes our day~~EVERY DAY!!
Who knew, this once city girl would be an alpaca farmer. The Flip Flop farmer as I call myself much of the time. From renovating an old cabin to opening up an alpaca boutique. My life is so very full and I feel blessed every day to be doing what I am doing. I tell others it is never too late to find your passion. My husband and I saw great potential when we drove back this long driveway to what we now call our home! Others urged us to turn around and wait for something better. But we had a vision. One that has become our reality. Our motto soon became, “The 53, come with a vision~capture a DREAM!”
And this is where I am now. Living my dream, raising quality alpacas, running a small boutique, and simply watching new dreams unfold every single day. Feeling blessed to be able to share this with everyone who wants to make a short jaunt off of I70 to have a hands on experience with an alpaca!!!!
Has it been a smooth road?
Follow your heart and do not EVER give up! When you wake up in the morning and you are excited to start your day, know in your heart that it will all come together. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. But honestly, what fun would be in that. The fun is in the journey! The fun is in the sweat! Don’t keep putting your time and energy into something that does not feel right. My son always told me, “if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.” So search until you find a fit. And when you do, the flood gates will open!
Please tell us about Sopris Alpaca Farm & Boutique.
I am known in our little community as the “alpaca lady.” I love it. Kids especially recognize me when I am out and about. I love people. And I especially love to give kids a voice. Chatting with them & having them express themselves. Running our alpaca farm, having schools come back for field trips, has allowed me much opportunity to do this.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Take the time to find out what you love to do and what you are good at. (You may have some trial and errors in this process) I feel that you will be the most successful if you are not trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. Take your abilities that you thrive at and put them into your career. I have always loved children. So when I first opened our boutique, I offered free children’s crafts for those who came to the farm. This was a great way to market our boutique, and I was able to do what I love. This “cheap” marketing plan was a win~win!
Contact Info:
- Address: 35795 Hwy 6
Silt, CO 81652 - Website: http://soprisalpacafarm.com
- Phone: 970-274-0853
- Email: kimmywesson1@gmail.com
- Instagram: soprisalpacafarm
- Facebook: soprisalpacaboutique
Image Credit:
Kim Wesson
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