Will behind the table at the van's side door, making coffee
The 1st cafe, with a $200 Calaphon machine and Tulip's old paint wrap

Hi, I'm Will

I grew up working in the service industry, restaurants, kitchens, events, and cafes. I always loved the energy of being behind a counter, making the perfect process and finding the flow. This experience helped me grow a career on the other side of the fence in restaurant technology. I've always enjoyed tech, it feels exciting and natural to me, but the longer I worked in it the more I missed the hands on, creative, social and organic-community aspects of life.


When I moved to Colorado, I caught an insatiable thirst to learn how things work - how to make and fix and create. Woodworking, 3D Printing, bicycle repair, electronics, home improvement and the like. You just don't get that feeling anywhere else! It opened so many doors for me, led me to incredible people, places and projects. I felt more purpose in the simple things and consistently found that simple is the best way to connect with people.

— Will
Tulip parked at dusk under a full moon, with the back open and lit up
The van

Named in 1990 Reborn in 2022

Named by a pair of gay, Dutch tulip farmers, Tulip was waiting in Arizona. I had always wanted a VW bus or van - and my uncle (coincidentally, a gay Dutchmen) planted the idea in my mind that one day I might have one as cool as his. After the death of my sister, Carley, in 2021, I grappled with a lot of harsh realities - including the ever-important lesson that life is short, and that you have to make the most out of it while you're here. And while you're here, you might as well lean into some of the more impractical-whimsical-magic life has to offer.

Emboldened with purpose, I bought the van to prioritize experience - not only to learn how to fix it and build it and make it mine, but to re-learn how to prioritize "living" at this stage of my life. I got more than I bargained for: a full breakdown 40 minutes into the drive home with no help but myself, and a vehicle that became a full character in my life - shared with friends, family, lovers, and strangers.

She has brought me all over the country, protected me, infuriated me and humbled me - she has taught me to slow down and to be patient, how to grow and learn. But most importantly, she serves as a constant reminder to not take things too seriously, and to go out of my way to make experiences just for the hell of it.

"TULIP" was taken - so TUULIP is her legal name
The cafe

A way to tie it all together

A latte with a tulip poured in the foam

A dear friend gave me an entry level home espresso machine right as I was finishing what, to me, was a monumental achievement: rewiring the house electrical system in the van and creating a huge, self-charging power supply from watching youtube videos. I had also been feeling that despite the hard, grief-filled years I had been living that I was indeed particularly fortunate and privileged. I wanted to share.

"I think it'd be fun to do this... but out of the van in the park for free, so it's not about money and more about the vibe"

I never would have guessed how far it would come - how the cafe would become it's own living thing, how it would encourage me to design more, upgrade the machine multiple times, learn how to profile, learn latte art, learn that I need a dual boiler, upgrade the power supply, pick a roaster and supplier that think about the community the way I do, and so much more. I am thrilled to be on this ride, endlessly grateful that I'm in the position to continue creating and providing, and delighted at the way it has made me feel so much more connected to my current and growing community.

As a local, community project, working with local roasters and suppliers was very important to me. I want to thank Jason Haygarth @ Moonflower Coffee for sharing his knowledge, advice, resources and time - but most importantly for choosing to use his position in the community to spread a more inclusive mentality around service. Tulip Cafe proudly serves Servant Coffee, and is supplied by Moonflower Coffee

The espresso machine with maple handles, two cups on a scale

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