Daily Inspiration: Meet Allison DeVelvis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison DeVelvis.

Hi Allison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My business partner Shannon Graham, my husband Jason, and I started dreaming about Family Room a few years ago. I have a background in operations and event planning, Shannon is an amazing baker, Jason is a programmer and loves technology, and, of course, we all love coffee! We each used our gifts to build this special place! We wanted to create a place that was like your home away from home. We have a lot of comfy furniture, board games, books, great Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, and a kid’s space. The whole family is welcome and encouraged to be here. We utilize technology to make the ordering and pick-up process seamless for our customers. Unlike many other small shops, we have an app for online ordering. You can order before you arrive, and your drink will be ready when you get here. Or you can come in and get comfy and order from a couch. We don’t want anyone to stand in a line staring a menu. 

We have also created many events for adults and families to participate in. We have holiday-themed parties for kids, craft nights for teens and adults, preschool story time, and family bingo every other Friday night. We love having a community space where people can come and stay for a while! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We opened in November 2023, but we signed our lease in November 2021. It took 2 years to get through the permitting and construction process. It was quite the journey to get to our opening day, but things have been going great since then! We have had a very positive reception from the community! Now, our goal is to get the word out to even more people that we are here! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always been known as someone who loves community and being involved in whatever groups I have been a part of. Is it clique to say I am a people person? I love meeting new people and leading groups and organizations. When I was in college, I led every group I was a part of and was very active in campus life. Those experiences lead me to a graduate degree in student affairs and my first position at Otterbein University. I love working with young adults and seeing all of the growth and enthusiasm of teens and early twenty-somethings. During my early years of motherhood, I got plugged into an organization called MOPs that helps young moms to find connection and validates the joys and challenges of being a mom. Being a leader in this organization helped me to really hone in on my strengths of leadership and community. I moved into a position in the women’s ministry and later operations within our church at the time. 

The threads of connection, leadership, community, operations, and event planning have woven through all of my jobs and organizations. I have now brought all of those experiences here to create an environment where people get to come together and share in community and friendship at Family Room. I have an awesome staff of teenagers and young adults who I get to pour into every day. They are a great group, and I am excited to watch them each come into their own and take on more leadership opportunities. Outside of Family Room, I am on the executive board of the music boosters at my daughter’s high school, where she is in the marching band. 

What matters most to you? Why?
People, always. I love meeting people, connecting people, and hearing their stories. We have a great opportunity in life to pour into others, and to create spaces where people feel welcome and safe to be their authentic selves. I hope that Family Room can be that space for others. When I was a young mom, I felt like there were places I wasn’t welcome because little kids can be noisy or bothersome. At Family Room, we have a space for littles, so young parents can sit and socialize, and their kids can be included and have their own space. We have great areas for meetings, work, and socializing. 

Contact Info:

• Website: familyroomcoffee.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/familyroomcoffee
• Facebook: facebook.com/familyroomcoffee