Natalie Van Dusen

Don't get in your own way. - Natalie

What did you daydream about when you were a kid?

Being and actress. Which is comical now as I really don't enjoy the spotlight. It was never going to work out.

What is your favorite thing about your studio or workspace?

The windows! I would pretty much live in a glass house if I could. I love all the natural light and views we have. Early in our business I was so frustrated that it was taking us forever to find the right space to build out. But in the end waiting for the perfect spot really worked out!

What have been some of the greatest challenges in your career?

Sometimes it feels like the biggest challenges are the small ones. The day to day hiccups that feel like they get in the way of achieving something bigger. Or finding the motivation to stay the course now that it's been several years.

Recently I had the revelation that I needed to stop sprinting and focus on long term objectives. This require patience, something I could really work to cultivate in my personality.

What does success mean to you?

Being happy. Finding a way to thrive in my business while still having time and energy for my family. Making a living that supports our lifestyle by doing what I love.

How do you deal with self doubt or insecurity?

I'm learning that there will always be varying degrees of this in my business, in myself and in life. It's a process that some days feels easier and others harder. When those feelings creep in, I try to bite of projects in smaller more approachable chunks so they don't feel so daunting/impossible.

I lean on my friends and family and my husband for support and to build me up when my insecurities get the best of me. Then I try to remind myself that if it was easy I would be bored.

And I'm never bored.

Who or What inspires you?

Lots of people. Mostly the women that surround me on a daily basis. If I have to pick a person, today I'd probably pick my sis-in-law.

She's a powerhouse who owns a business in the Bay Area. I'm so inspired by her work ethic, what she's building and how she keeps driving forward.

In my business I'm also really inspired by all of the people we work with throughout our supply chain. The growers, exporters, importers, our team and customers. Their passion and hard work is inspiring.

It's this incredible life cycle that I'm proud and excited to be a part of.

What advice has been the most helpful in your life?

Don't get in your own way.

Tell me about a failure that you learned from?

This question was tough for me. Not because I don't have failures to choose from, but once it's all said and done I think I focus my energy on learning from a situation and stop thinking about it as a failure.

Early in my business I had a young roaster that I mentored. It was really great for many years and then as the company grew and evolved we grew apart and the fit went from great to terrible.

It felt really awful to have something deteriorate in this way but I learned a lot about how we grow and change over time and how I might do things differently (and maybe the same) in the future.

Tell Me - Why you do What you do?

Because I love it!

For starters I love love love coffee. But beyond that I really enjoy the community of people that coffee comes with. Including our team at Treeline, our customers that frequent our spaces or drink our coffees regularly as part of their routine and our growers/suppliers.

No other industry that I know of/have worked in, is as warm and friendly as coffee.

Do you have a favorite song, book or quote that motivates you?

"Done is better than perfect." -Sheryl Sandberg

Name 1 or 2 women who you admire?

Venus Williams & RBG

If you could look back and give yourself some advice as you were starting out, what would it be?

Be patient. It's going to take longer than you think but you've got this.

What one piece of advice would you give to young girls who are trying to navigate their future?

Do it! Whatever it is that you feel passionate about. There's always a way to make what you want to do happen. It may take on different shapes as your ideas and self evolve and that's okay but you have to try!