Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Curran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Meredith, Emi, and I all went to Ole Miss together, but I actually didn’t know either of them until I found myself frequenting this little coffee shop outside of Oxford called Lost Dog Coffee. Emi was a barista at Lost Dog, and my regular visits to the shop meant we got to know each other pretty well. Meredith and I were introduced to each other by a mutual friend there as well, and we all became extraordinarily good friends as the months went on.
In August of 2020, I’d recently moved to Dallas when Meredith put me and Emi in a group message and ran the idea of Cortado Culture by us. I was already doing my own exploration of the local coffee scene in my new city. The idea of an account that highlighted local spots in your own hometown or somewhere you were visiting was something I immediately loved because it was what I was already in search of. This account just takes out all the work of finding your new coffee “home” and consolidates it in one spot.
I was so nervous making my first post because I’ve never done any type of social media other than my own personal accounts. I didn’t know what to say or the best picture to take; but Meredith’s creativity and Emi’s way with words was so encouraging that they made getting out of my comfort zone not as intimidating.
Getting to be a part of Cortado Culture has honestly been one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. It challenges me to go explore new places rather than stay in my regular routine; connect with new friends; and stay in touch with old ones. Especially with Meredith and Emi. After college when friends go to different places and directions in life, it’s natural to lose touch. Yet, having Cortado Culture has kept us in touch with each other regularly, and the community we found in each other all those years ago in a little coffee shop outside of Oxford continues to thrive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
What’s been so fun about Cortado Culture is that we’re not trying to “be” anything. We’re just being ourselves. Finding our favorite spots and telling our friends about them. We communicate well with each other, and if someone hasn’t made it to a new spot in a while due to a hectic schedule, one of us will pull a shop from the archives that haven’t been featured yet. There’s grace, personal responsibility, and good communication. We just take care of each other; so, the only struggle is “Who wants to post today?”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So, I’m actually in public accounting working as an auditor. I’ve been working for a middle-market accounting firm here in Dallas for over a year now. I audit a variety of clients within the Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Non-Profit, and Commercial industries.
I spent all of my time studying for my accounting classes in this one coffee shop in Oxford called Cups. I had to study all the time for my accounting classes, but studying at Cups allowed me to take breaks and say hi to friends and make new acquaintances.
My co-workers are all very aware of my coffee hobby, and I often (and easily) convince whoever I’m working with that week to go on a coffee run with me.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
People. I absolutely love people. I love to hear their stories; to hear where they came from, how they grew up, what motivates them, what scares them, what makes them feel loved.
Sitting across from someone on a Saturday morning at a coffee shop and hear how they got to where they are today inspires me. To speak when words are needed and to listen when a voice needs to be heard.
Their stories inspire me to write my own, in fact, because stories are just how we connect with each other. They’re how we feel seen; and it brings me the greatest joy in the world to make someone feel fully seen, fully known, and fully loved.
Contact Info:
- Email: cortadoculture.3@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cortadoculture
Image Credits
Meredith Foster
Liza Curran
Emi Pulse
