By Logan B. Anderson

Liz Hansen is the owner of The Skyline Cafe.

What made you start your business?

Prior to owning my business, I worked in the insurance industry for about 25 years. When I retired, I wanted to do more with a home-based business I had at the time. So for about four years, I ran a small cake business out of my home that grew over time. This was great, but I had always had a desire to own a venue that could host weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, etc. Unfortunately, we were not able to find a location, so my Realtor suggested opening up a small cafe that we could do outside catering out of, as well. So July 2020, we took the plunge and signed a lease for the cafe.

What is a typical day like for you?
My typical day starts at 3:30 a.m. I am in the cafe by 5 a.m. Since we pride ourselves on freshly baked pastries and muffins, ... every day, we bake. Setting the cafe up for breakfast is my main task first thing in the morning. I will run the register, help fill orders, make sandwiches, do prep, wash dishes, answer the phone, and, most importantly, I talk with the customers that come in.

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

I realize that, right now, this is the most stressful time for a restaurant, and I want to make a difference in my community. I also know that I have employees that rely on me keeping the doors open, so that they have a job. I stay motivated by knowing that we put out wonderful food and, when we cater an event, the compliments we receive.

What is the most important business lesson you’ve learned during the COVID-19 pandemic?

To be flexible and understand that people’s fears about the disease are real, and we have to do whatever we can to make them feel safe in our cafe. We have also learned to be so creative when it comes to serving food at events.

What is unique about the services you provide?

Our food in the cafe is unique and very flavorful. We offer something different than your standard cafe food. But our full-service catering is the best around. We also have obtained our off-premises liquor license, so that we can handle the food, the bar and dessert.

What three things help shape your life?

I grew up on a dairy farm, and you were expected to work hard. I learned that there will always be something that needs to be done, and you shouldn’t have to be told to do it. When I got married at 18 years old and moved to Indiana because my husband was stationed there, we soon learned that we had to depend on each other and our Air Force family. I have so many wonderful memories and close friends still to this day from when he was active-duty. The love and devotion of my husband. He has always encouraged me to do what makes me happy, and he tries to make it happen. Without his love and support, I would not have taken on this adventure of owning a business.