Meet Mackenzie Maltby Tamayo of Altitude Hospitality Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Maltby Tamayo.

Mackenzie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I worked for Serranos Coffee Company for almost ten years. I’ve been working since I was fifteen. I loved the customer service industry. After college, I quit that job to volunteer for TESSA here in the Springs which is a space that assists woman coming out of abuse that offers safe housing and etc. With a background in English, I wrote content on the side for a nonprofit, David C. Cook while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I had just had my second son and needed some extra night time work. I called a family friend, Mitch Yellen, who at the time was opening a beautiful property in downtown Colorado Springs. I loved the property so Mitch hired me as a bartender. I worked my way from server/bartender to banquet captain to assistant sales and then to director of sales all within two years. I fell in love with event planning and building community in a tangible and thoughtful way. I began to see Pinery as an extension of hope for our city. As an all inclusive venue, the Pinery is the perfect destination if you seek the best of everything: the best views, the best location, and the best amenities for your guests. We were winning best wedding and event venue left and right. It was a couple of years ago that Yellen formed Altitude Hospitality Group and at that time The Pinery at the Hill, Garden of the Gods Gourmet Catering, Garden of the Gods Market were all under that hospitality group. We then added award winning restaurant Till Kitchen to our list of properties which boasts of scratch made lunch and dinner. Till also created The ROOST Coffee shop which serves locally roasted beans and homemade pastries. The private dining space can serve up to 100 and is perfect for upscale dining events. Seeing success at The Pinery, I discussed with Mitch Yellen and our COO, Melissa Svenby, to move into more of a sales and marketing role for all of our properties. I moved into that role about nine months ago and it’s been a fantastic new challenge in building community internally while still partnering with the Colorado Springs Community. I am fiercely protective of those building in Colorado Springs. We are having a thriving economic structure especially in hospitality. Hospitality is a message we give others about how we see them and that’s what we do at Altitude Hospitality Group. We invite others into our spaces to show them that there is care in preparation and in execution. In 2017 I was awarded “Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation Community Builder Award” and in 2019 the Colorado Springs Business Journal named me one of twenty Rising Stars in Colorado Springs for my outstanding professional work.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I was at The Pinery at the Hill, there were myriads of challenges. I read in Forbes once that Event Coordinating is on the top ten list of most stressful jobs because of the emotional, mental and physical toil it takes on your body. So much of what I did was put out fires and problem solved. There are high emotions in events like weddings where you’re watching back of the house, front of the house and our clients that we serve. I’m also a single mom of two boys so there is the very obvious taxing it does on a home life. So there were days I needed to bring them in (they are 7 and 12) to help me set up tables or quick meet with an out of town client who could only meet after business hours. So much of my job was asking, “How can I say yes?” Everyone at the Pinery (and all of Altitude) but when I was at Pinery is committed to saying yes. Saying yes to brides who need something last minute. Saying yes to corporate clients who have strict budgets. We live a culture of yes no matter what which is what I loved so much at Pinery and is still true today.

Let’s talk about your business. Tell us about Altitude Hospitality Group – what should we know?
Altitude Hospitality Group is owned by Mitchell Yellen in Colorado Springs with a handful of different investors depending on the property/entity.

The Pinery at the Hill:
The Pinery at The Hill is an all inclusive venue that is persistently first-class, resort-style facility, replete with Tuscan-style architecture and state-of-the-art amenities located in downtown Colorado Springs. Offering a sweeping panorama of Pikes Peak and the Colorado Springs skyline, our 22,000 sq. ft. wedding and event center facility offers everything necessary for an unforgettable event and or wedding.

Sprig:
Sprig is a new kind of fast casual restaurant, making healthy, nourishing whole foods and beverages easily accessible to everyone. Our plant-powered recipes are as close as possible to their natural state, without compromising taste or convenience (we offer a range of protein options, too). Nothing artificial. No preservatives. Dairy free. Gluten free. Non-GMO. No added sugar. Just delicious food to fuel well-being and enhance the vibrancy of our customers’ lives.

Till Kitchen:
Here at TILL, you will find carefully-crafted cuisine, an extensive wine selection and bar, artisan breads and pastries created in our on-site bakery, and pizza baked in our wood-fired oven. Our passion for the integrity of food is apparent when looking at our menus. The simple, seasonal ingredient choices and thoughtful preparation allow flavors to speak for themselves. Although it takes a little more effort, we believe freshly-made results in an elevated dining experience that our customers truly deserve.

The Roost Coffee House:
Here at The Roost Coffee House, we are proud to serve beloved local brands, like Hold Fast Coffee Company, Mission Coffee Roasters, and Switchback Coffee Roasters to bring a fresh and local coffee experience to the North Springs community. Our bakers rise early every morning to prepare fresh bread, pastries, and croissants. Then, before the city is even awake, our bread is delivered around Colorado Springs to local restaurants and markets.

Altitude Floral:
Under the umbrella of The Pinery at the Hill, Altitude Floral is a craft florist that provides floral for all properties and offsite events.

Garden of the Gods Catering and Events:
Garden of the Gods is the most desirable catering service in the Colorado Springs area and the only all inclusive catering company in Southern Colorado. Our award-winning dishes will provide you with a personalized culinary experience you won’t find anywhere else. From weddings to book clubs to business luncheons — we’ll help you create memories that are as unique and unforgettable as our food.

Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe:
Award winning brunch and lunch that serves fresh food and all local cocktails. In Colorado Springs, we provide a unique gourmet shopping experience — a market where food is prepared fresh daily. Entrées, salads, side dishes, breads and cookies are made from scratch in our kitchen. We also have chef-made foods that your family and friends will applaud. The Market at Garden of the Gods’ has been voted ‘The Best of Springs’ Gourmet Market by the Gazette year after year.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can not emphasize this enough. It takes an entire team to make an event go smoothly and hiccup-free. When you walk into a restaurant. He who want to be served must first know how to serve. Maya Angelou once said – “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

So many deserve credit. Our amazing owner Mitchell Yellen and his right hand, our COO Melissa Svenby, all of the GMs at the properties that work long tireless hours serving and showing up. It takes a village to execute and every role is needed.

I am deeply grateful for the business friendships and mentors in my life that have encouraged me along the way to never give up and to always show up authentically for Colorado Springs – Community builders like Brooke Mikulas, Leah Behr, Karen Mitchell, Meagan Thomas as well as friends in the business like Sarah Evans, Michelle Benson, Megan Riviezzo, Tina Joiner, Allison Easterling and so many others.

I am so grateful for those who have mentored and shown up for me consistently.

Contact Info:

• Website: altitudehg.com
• Phone: 7193373189
• Email: mackenzie@altitudehg.com
• Instagram: @mackenziemaltby

Image Credit:
Amanda Lamb Photography
Alyssa Cameron Photography
Athletic Photography
Tina Joiner Photography

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