Desiree Olsten

Co-Owner of Bean Around the World in Parkgate Village

With deep roots in the local area and an eye on the future, Desiree Olsten lives a life in alignment with her belief in the value of community and placemaking.
What is the most significant moment in your life?

Without a doubt, the most significant and happiest moment in Desiree’s life was the day her son, Riggley, was born. “In that moment, my life and my husband’s life were forever changed.” Many of Desiree’s friends already had children and she had heard all their stories so, she felt fairly well prepared for motherhood. However, no one had prepared her for the experience of having your first child during a global pandemic! Her son was born at the end of December 2019 and at that time, 2020 was looking like just another year – Desiree had no inkling that by mid-March, with a 3-month old baby, she and the rest of the world would be in lockdown due to the Coronavirus.

 

2020 turned out to be quite something: a year when the whole world veered off its expected path. For Desiree, she missed out on all the “mommy & me” experiences that she had anticipated doing with her young son. She was disappointed not to have the opportunity to spend time in the company of other new mothers and their babies. However, some of the unexpected twists of 2020 brought pleasant surprises. Originally, Desiree had planned to go back to work in April and bring Riggley with her to the café; but with the uncertainties of Covid-19, this seemed like too big of a risk. Instead, Desiree ended up taking a full year off of work to spend time at home, caring for Riggley. Quite a change from her previous life where caring for her business was always foremost in her mind. This extra time spent with her young son was something Desiree treasured.

Riggley changed Desiree’s outlook on life. “Your world adjusts to what’s really important. Family is important. He’s important. Especially because of what we had gone through previously with the loss of a child late in pregnancy, we really knew what we wanted. That is why he means just that much more to us.” Being in their mid-thirties by the time they became parents, Desiree and her husband, had already found their “grooves in life” so now they are learning to adjust. “Every day we plan more around him. You don’t plan for yourself anymore. You plan for him! It’s fun, it’s different but totally not the norm.”
Desiree Family Photo
Desiree went back to work this past January and Riggley is now in full-time childcare. He is the youngest one in the group and over these past few months, Desiree has watched him grow so quickly. He loves being there. He finally has the chance to play and socialize with other kids – it’s good for him and it’s good for Desiree who can once again, focus some more of her time and energy onto her business.
What is one story you would like the community to know about you?

“Not many people realize that my roots in this community run very deep.” Desiree’s great aunt (her grandfather’s sister) and great uncle owned the motel in Deep Cove that used be in the building that is now Deep Cove Kayaking. In the 1950s, Desiree’s grandparents also moved to “The Cove” and built their house on Harris Avenue. Over 70 years later, almost all of Desiree’s father’s side of the family still live in and around Deep Cove! It’s almost impossible for her to go anywhere in the community without seeing members of her family – third, fourth, fifth cousins – they’re all here. “It’s kind of insane how many people I am related to here!” Desiree and her husband, who also grew up in the community, made the decision to continue to make this area their home. By becoming a co-owner of Bean Around the World, the very popular and much-loved neighbourhood gathering spot in Parkgate Village, Desiree has committed herself long-term to being part of this thriving and vital community.

Reta Thornley

Desiree’s great aunt, Reta Thornley, in front of the fireplace of the Deep Cove Motel

What is your unique contribution to the community?
Desiree always knew she wanted to own her own business she just wasn’t sure what kind of business it would be. She started working for Bean Around the World back in 2003 as a barista. “I was one of the ‘shop girls’”. After three years, she took a short break, returning in 2009 to help open up the West Vancouver store. Once that café was successfully up and running, Desiree returned to the Bean Around the World in Parkgate Village and helped manage it until 2014 when she was offered part ownership in the business. Bean Around the World turned out to be a perfect fit for Desiree’s aspirations to own a business while also maintaining her strong ties to the community where she grew up.
Desiree Olsten
Bean Around the World has a huge place in the local community. It is reminiscent of the TV show, Cheers “where everybody knows your name” – just a healthier version! It has become a community gathering place; a place where people of all ages meet, grab a coffee and something to eat, and sit around chatting. It is a friendly place where people often find themselves drawn into conversations with people they haven’t met before. There is a special “family vibe” to the café, affectionately known as “Bean” by all the locals.

 

With the birth of her son, Desiree sees “Bean” becoming even more of a family business. Riggley will be the “little bean kid”, scooting between the café and home nearby. Already, the staff are always asking about him and love it whenever he comes by to visit. Desiree’s business ethos mirrors her personal values: as her family and business continue to grow and blossom, her roots in the community dig deeper and add to the unique qualities that make this North Shore neighbourhood a very special corner of the world.

Parkgate Society is deeply grateful to Bean Around the World in Parkgate Village for its long-term and ongoing support. As well as being a frequent sponsor of our programs and events, “Bean” often contributes coffee and hot chocolate to many of Parkgate Society’s larger community events. “Bean” also donates coffee and banana bread to our weekly coffee kiosk, a program that provides special education work experience opportunities to local secondary school students. (This program is currently on hold due to the pandemic.) Parkgate Society is very fortunate to have Bean Around the World as our neighbour and co-contributor to building a thriving community hub.

Follow Desiree and Bean Around the World on Instagram: @seymourbean

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