Conversations with Mariah Rupp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Rupp. 

Hi Mariah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have spent the last 16 years as an educator and assistant principal in the public school system; I have essentially been in school for 33 years! This past fall was the first school year that I was not a student, a teacher, or an administrator! I am not a huge risk-taker by nature, but I do like change, in part I think, because it forces me to continue to learn and adapt and grow, which is perhaps where my love of education has stemmed. My husband, not a huge proponent of change, has learned to roll with it! 

In the spring of 2021 when Covid brought everything to a screeching halt, I was looking for a project to work on and decided to purchase an old horse trailer. Over the span of four months, I tore out floors, cleaned out hay for days, scraped away rust, and worked on creating an adventure: to run my own business. I recruited my daughters to help when I got bored, I recruited my husband when I got stuck and needed ideas and extra muscle, and I leaned on my friends from work to help walk me through my ideas and keep me grounded. Palo Coffee and Bar was born! 

I spent the week working a full-time job as a middle school administrator, and the weekends working festivals and events with Palo. I started marketing and soon enough the summer was booked with weddings as well. In March of 2022, I decided to take another leap and step away from education to work Palo Coffee and Bar full-time, as well as get my real estate broker’s license. I remember sitting in my office explaining my plan to our financial advisor and sounding a little bit scared and a whole lot unsure. After I was done rambling for at least ten minutes, he put his pencil down and said “I bet on you- I always would.” Those words have stuck with me, and I use them to motivate and remind myself of my own strength on hard days when doubt seeps in. 

Risk-taking is not about how much could go wrong or what you could potentially lose along the way; risk-taking is all about how hard you are willing to work and what you can gain: financial freedom, flexibility, time for your family, and passions to grow. 

By the way, not only can I serve you a drink, but I can help you buy or sell a house, so give me a call! 

Perspective matters. Hard work matters. Bet on yourself, always. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I can say with total honesty, deciding to change careers has been an emotional rollercoaster. There have been these amazing moments of reading great customer reviews, hearing positive feedback, receiving a large tip from a customer unexpectedly that brought me to tears. On the flip side, there have also been moments of panic, moments where I have worried about money and paying bills, moments where I have had to decide to work an event instead of go to an event with my family. 

The key to this rollercoaster: prospective. 

As a start-up business, I am in “Yes” mode currently. I am saying “yes” to just about every event or invitation handed my way, regardless if it is going to bring in enough money. The point right now, and for the next six months or so, is to see and be seen. To hand out business cards, make connections, send letters with a pound of coffee as a thank you, and be sure that Palo Coffee and Bar is the first thing my former customers think about when they hear of someone needing a unique drink experience at their event. I know this is what I need to be doing now, but I also have the vision and perspective that it will not always be this way. There will come a time when I will have to decline events because I am already booked when I will get the opportunity to hire additional staff because I am so booked, I need the help. I can already see it beginning to happen, and keeping my eyes open, my heart full, and having a clear view of my goals, helps to keep my positive prospective always at the top. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Palo Coffee and Bar serves as a mobile bar and entertainment option for both private and public events. We want you to have more fun at your own party, so leave the serving to us! 

Palo is a re-purposed 1990 horse trailer that can serve beer from a keg, wine from a chiller, bottles, and cans from our commercial refrigerator, along with mixed cocktails. Additionally, we offer a coffee service or a snow cone service to add to the event! Because Colorado does not permit a mobile liquor license, the client purchases the alcohol and we pick it up, chill it and bring it to the event to serve. Any alcohol left over is packed up and left for the client to take home (Yay!). 

Palo brings such a unique drink experience to every event because the trailer is so darn cute! For clients looking to create a memorable experience, something their guests will talk about with others long after the party, it is the horse trailer that was brought in to serve cocktails and drinks! I am so proud of what I have built and it is my pleasure to serve and share that with my community. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The original Palo Farm was established in 1944 in Ellensburg, Washington by my grandpa Fred and grandma Joy. I spent many summers on the farm trying to avoid riding horses (big and scary!), making mud pies, and driving tractor. Palo Coffee and Bar is the third generation, and my hope is to build something my children will be proud of and continue on that legacy. 

I would love to see Palo continue to evolve from a horse trailer to a brick-and-mortar option, either in the hospitality industry or as an event space. I have always loved to host large gatherings and get everyone together to catch up and share a toast. I recently had lunch with my mom and dad and was sharing my vision for the next three years. Of course, the biggest obstacle is funding these dreams of mine and I was looking for advice from my parents. My dad gave me great advice: “Put a business plan together and share it with an investor” Little does he know, I recently sent him my business plan and he is my potential investor! 

The key concept with Palo has always been to provide a unique experience, and I plan to keep this at the forefront for all decision-making in the future. I believe it is imperative to offer guests a different idea, something outside of the box, that will leave them talking about it and planning on when they can come back to do it all again. 

Pricing:

• 180.00 per hour which includes cups, ice, and bartending service with the trailer

Contact Info:

• Website: Palobar.com
• Instagram: thepalobar
• Facebook: Mariah Rupp

Image Credits
@bigheartfilm
B Nicole Photography