Bold Beginnings: Setting Up Shop When the World Shut Down
While the world was isolating in the early days of COVID, Daneka Ewert and Greg Holmes were
busy designing a space for the community to find connection.
The pair bought their building in March 2020–days before the world shut down. With no access
to building permits or subcontractors, Daneka and Greg purchased some tools and got to work.
In September 2020, Bold was open for business.
Bold is many things: A cafe, a framing shop, an art gallery.
A space for the community to gather.
In the midst of the pandemic, Daneka and Greg had found a niche: The importance of
sweetness and art, and those who make it.
As Greg says, “We learned that when times are hard in the world, and things feel a little
overwhelming, good coffee and pretty things can make people feel better. And kindness goes a
long way.”
We asked Daneka and Greg to tell us more about their journey. Here’s what they had to say:
Why did you choose to start a business in Pacific County?
D: Greg has always had a connection to the peninsula. I believe his family has had a home here since 1923. But this was our vacation home and we were here when the pandemic hit. The woman who owned this building was a friend, and we learned it was available. And so we just decided to jump on it. We knew we were going to spend the rest of our lives here. We just didn’t know it would be right now!
Where did the idea for your business come from?
D: Well, it was kind of an evolution. We had played with the idea of an art gallery and coffee shop concept where people could drink delicious coffee and look at great art. It would be a sensory experience. And when this place became available, it had the frame shop in it already.
That was a natural fit to have a gallery with a frame shop. And then the coffee shop became a part of that.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
D: We have many great moments! Like the people that come in looking for something in
particular and are so excited to find it, or they want to support their uncle that’s an artist here.
We get to be a part of their excitement.
And in the framing shop, in particular. People bring things that are meaningful to them. They’re
not going to be spending the kind of money for a custom frame for something that doesn’t have
value to them. And so we get to see little glimpses of their heart.
From displays for a father who recently passed away to artwork from a grandchild. And when it’s
framed beautifully, it makes that piece even more meaningful and special. And those are some
of the neat moments where it just gets you right in the heart.
G: I have one, in particular–way back in 2020. When we were in our soft opening period, deep
in the pandemic, we had a young lady come in.
She said it was the first time she had left her house. She came in because she’d been watching
our progress on Facebook. She put money in a tip jar and said, “I hope you guys are still here
when I come back out again.” And left. And it touched us in a very powerful way.
We were in a time when we were struggling through the weight of, “Are we gonna make it to the
open house, is all going to work out?” And it reaffirmed our commitment to our goal and our
mission. It still brings tears to my eyes.
We knew then that we had to make it through and make this work.
How did you come up with the name for your business?
G: That kind of just came to us. We were on a road trip between here and Salt Lake, our other
home base at the time, and we were brainstorming and…
D: Greg said, “Let’s be Bold.”
G: It kind of fits: Artists have to be bold. It takes a lot of inner strength to put yourself out like
that.
How do you view your role in the community?
G: The community helped us through. There was a lot of love [throughout the pandemic]. They
wanted to support their local artists, and we were able to provide the venue for community
members to support them.
The walk-up window was what we used for coffee, and retail was available. So people would
come and purchase art from their neighbors, essentially to give as gifts.
So we were well supported.
We did this for the community. We wanted to be a place that would strengthen it, bring it
together. A place that people would be proud of.
D: A safe place for people to gather. We get a lot of folks that come when they’re sad and folks
that come when they’re happy, and people that bring family members from out of town.
G: Everyone’s welcome here. No judgments. And no politics.
If you had to do it all again, is there anything you’d do
differently?
G: There were a thousand things that we had to change along the way. A lot that we’ve learned.
But in the end, it was a great ride. We’re really happy where we’ve landed.
Although, we would like to have more parking!
If you had one piece of advice to offer someone starting a
business in Pacific County, what would it be?
G: Be very focused on what your mission is.
D: Stay true to your values.
G: And take care of your customers. Make every one of them feel like they’re the most important
person that you will take care of all day. And don’t lose sight of the fact that you have to take
care of yourself. You’ve got to keep some balance in your life. Don’t let it overwhelm you.
D: You also have to be flexible. The end product may not look like your original vision, but be
tenacious and be flexible.
Final Thoughts For any aspiring business owner in Pacific County, here are a few key takeaways from Greg and Daneka’s experience:
● Stay true to your values–and the values of the community
● Treat your customers well ● Take care of yourself
● Be flexible
● Be tenacious; Be bold