ABA June Monthly Member Highlight:
Every month we sit down with one of our amazing ABA members to get to know them a little better! For June, we spoke with Diane Loudon, owner of ColdSpring Farm LLC. We ask each member the same questions, providing an opportunity for our members to highlight the important work that they do in our communities. If you’re an ABA Member and would like to be considered for future Monthly Member Highlights, please reach out to us via email at info@altonbusinessassociation.com
Q: Tell us about your business?
A: ColdSpring Farm is an event venue featuring weddings, birthdays, anniversary celebrations, music events, parties of all kinds and meetings, classes, conferences – we can accommodate almost any assembly need. We have been in business since 2020 opening in the midst of a pandemic! We are really ramping now as we have a website and are branching out via our partners and different marketing activities.
Q: Tell us about yourself:
A: I have two wonderful and devoted grown children, Sarah who lives with me on the farm with Bob and her little one Cady and Zach, my son, who lives in Turlock CA with his wife Alex and two little ones, Elliot and baby Eden. I am a widow – navigating life without my bestie, Alan but he is always with us on the farm. We feel his presence every day. I am also a retired executive. I have lots of moderately useful education from lots of wonderful and well-known institutions and I mostly utilize experience in the running and growth of my farm. I spent about 40 years in manufacturing environments predominantly in medical device and aerospace initially focused upon effectiveness of manufacturing processes – which was predominantly related to people! I was president of Albany Engineered Composites when I retired in December of 2017. Now I operate on multiple boards guiding small manufacturing concerns and improving them where possible as well as developing ColdSpring Farm. Faith, family and community are my priorities!
Q: How did your business get started?
A: When Alan died, I really needed a project to consume me and help me work through things. He had always longed to complete the barn for other purposes and the latest purpose he had been interested in was as an event venue for weddings. And so, I completed it! After I spent lots of money, I petitioned the Town of Alton to establish the business and run it. This took a while as we were smack in the beginning of COVID but I did get my approvals and off we went. The seed was Alan’s wish and my need to complete a chunky project that has now turned into a lively potential business for life for my family and a great spot for the community to utilize.
Q: What has your relationship with the Alton Business Association done for you or
your business?
A: In just a short while we have met people who will help us transform our business in ways we had only dreamed of prior. We now have a financial partner to help us more fully develop commercial banking needs and a partner to help us with lodging for all our guests right in Alton Bay! And so much more…the sense of community through the ABA is EXACTLY what we are working to establish in our brand and business execution. Love it!
Q: What do you value most about this community?
A: I love the size and knowing people wherever I go in town. It is comforting and special to have in a world that has grown so big and impersonal and even offensive. If we have nothing else, we have each other in this world and our community demonstrates that.
Q: Why did you want to open your business in this community?
A: I live here and if I never set foot on another plane in my life, I would be okay with that! This community is special and has so much more opportunity. I want to add to that opportunity and be part of that continuous improvement.
Q: What business accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: In my executive career I am most proud of developing people – helping them to unlock their potential. At ColdSpring Farm I am most proud of simply launching it and guiding the business as the climate unfolds around us. Ultimately, I will be most proud of creating something lasting for my kids to run for years and years to come.
Q: What does the future hold for you and your business?
A: We vision constantly…the future will continue with weddings and an emphasis on value for the couple. To that end, we will be adding features and including benefits for booking your wedding here at ColdSpring Farm. Additionally, we will be branching out with new associations for music, benefit events, Sunday brunches and Sunday Birthday specials. We are planning to make full use of our property and incorporate hikes and outdoor activities as well. And this year we are planning to be open for the holiday season with heat available now throughout the barn. It promises to be magical!!
Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you had as a new business member?
A: Get QuickBooks right away!!
Q: How can people who want to learn more about you or your business get in
touch with you?
A: Email is easiest at diane.loudon@gmail.com or call at 603-556-0321 and always check the website https://www.coldspringbarn.com
