Hi there, and thank you for visiting my fundraiser! I’m Lauren and I am opening a coffee shop & dog park named after my soul-pup, Renly. We are looking to open in the Denver metro area in 2025 and need support!

Renly’s Roast began as a dream during the Covid-19 pandemic when many of us began to question societal norms. I started pondering what I wanted my life to look like and realized it wasn't trying to reach the top of the corporate ladder. One thing continually came up for me; Community. I want to create safe spaces where individuals can build connections with others in their neighborhood and strengthen their sense of belonging. As I brainstormed about my passions, it came to me; DOGS & COFFEE!

As someone who once put on her dating profile “I rate the quality of my day based on the number of dogs I’ve pet,” I am acutely aware of the positive social impact dogs have on society. Not only do dogs improve stress and mental health metrics(1), they can also foster new friendships for their owners when dogs socialize at the dog park. Renly’s Roast seeks to blend high-quality coffee with a passion for pets, creating vibrant community spaces where coffee enthusiasts and their furry family members can connect over shared experiences. We will do this by offering an engaging space for pups to play whenever they visit as well as with regular scheduling of events like breed-specific meet-ups, talks with veterinarians/trainers/dog nutritionists, trivia nights, and more!

While this may seem like a new venture, I'm bringing over a decade of product management experience where I've honed my business strategy skills across various markets. Before my corporate career, I spent 5 years working in coffee shops, learning the industry from the ground up—from perfecting my cappuccino to creating exceptional customer experiences. I've also built relationships with successful coffee entrepreneurs who have generously agreed to mentor me through this journey. This combination of business acumen, hands-on coffee experience, and expert guidance gives me the foundation needed to make Renly's Roast both a community treasure and a sustainable business.

After pricing out the equipment needed to get the coffee shop and dog park up and running, I am looking at a $100K+ price tag. I have saved $50K for this adventure thusfar and am launching this fundraiser to help me raise an additional $30K. I would be forever grateful for any amount you are able to contribute towards my dream, or if you’re willing to share my fundraiser with your network!

I have historically hated asking for help, but have realized that this is what community is for after all.

Thank you all, SO MUCH, for your support of my dream! I can’t wait to welcome you to Renly’s Roast in your city in the future!

1. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pets-as-coworkers/pets-and-mental-health