Meet Lynnette Fredrick | Owner of The Black Sheep Coffee Shop

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynnette Fredrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynnette, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I used to be a Personal Trainer and Holistic Nutritionist and loved working with people. After years of that, I wanted a change that was still customer service and I could host events that would involve the community and also grow it. Coffee shops are known for that. That is what started The Black Sheep coffee shop. It quickly Grew into a large community that is so supportive and turned into family.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Black Sheep is unique and holds true to its name. We are a Christian coffee shop but do not market it that way. We want everyone to come in and enjoy the atmosphere and feel how peaceful it is. I am so extremely proud of this place and what it has become. It started off so small and so many unknowns opening up in May of 2020. I had no clue the impact we would have on such a small little dowtown area, from my employees changing lives and my life down to having customers become friends and helpers in building this place out. For Example: the networking is endless if you really get to know people on a personal level. We have access to every walk of life, handy men, accountants, firefighters, police officers, you name it. We get to be a part of these people’s lives on another level. I have had the wonderful oppurtunity to get to know so many and they have returned the favor of not only becoming regulars but helping me out when my bathroom piping needed fixing, they jumped in and fixed it for me. Or when I needed help putting a large TV on the wall, some local firefighters jumped in to help. The community here is nothing like I have every experienced. The kindness and love is everywhere. I am most proud of this community.

Running a business is not easy. Information is free when you ask for it though. I have learned if you simply just ask for information on how to do so many things from other business owners, they are more then willing to help and send you in the right direction. This is a 24/7 job that is so very rewarding when you put your whole soul into it and then some. It becomes easy and then hard again. Small business owners really do look out for each other. Each week there are new challenges, new skills you never thought you woud be learning, like plumbing or fixing furniture that broke, or even caring for a crying customer. I have learned so many lessons from this job. Each day there is something to take away that is a positive or negative. But I get to decide how I treat others and how others experience what I created.

The Black Sheep is a wonderful coffee shop that loves its community. We host events of all kinds. From pop up markets, dog adoptions, bridal showers, bible studies, worship nights and much more. We are community driven and want this beautiful space to be utilized. I love this shop with my whole heart and am so excited to continue to see it grow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the outdoors and food. When I have good friends come to visit, I always take them to Lake Saguaro and we go paddle boarding to start the morning. After that, hit up one my favorite brunch places, Luci’s. Except, make it a light lunch. Stroll on over to my favorite acai bowl place, called Berry Berry Best. They have the best Acai bowls in the state, hands down. That is day 1. The rest of the week would consist of hikes up Piestewa mountain to watch the sunrise, enjoy breakfast at FA’ME, taking walks down central ave because it is just so beautiful over there, and trying new coffee shops. I rarely get to get out and try new places, so when friends come to town, I try to make it to new shops and eateries I have been wanting to check out.

I think the most fun places to check out are the lakes and mountains we have near us. We live so close to so many beautiful places and have the best sunsets. City life consumes us and its nice to show the more slowed down and simple places that go underrated. Lake Saguaro and Canyon lake are so beautiful and unique. Wether you hike them or paddle, I feel like everyone I bring has to see it. Water calms the nervous system, and then you truly get to relax and appreaciate the scenery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest shoutout goes to Jesus. He put the passion in my heart and helped lead and guide me to this location. From there, I have met with customers who helped mentor me in certain areas, women I met along the way who are now my best friends and biggest supporters of the shop, and my wonderful team who have been working for me for years. They have stood by my side through the growth, slow times, busy seasons, and the really tough times. They are my family and all my little cheerleaders. The team is included in decision making and daily operational suggestions. Last but not least is my mom who also works for me. She Has supported me from the beginning and my customers absolutely love her. Makes it really feel like a family business.

Instagram: theblacksheep_az

Image Credits
Kody Combes
Lynnette Fredrick