The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Julie Niemi

Age: 55

Occupation: Business owner, barista, chief cook and bottlewasher at Spill the Beans Espresso Bar

Place of birth: Seattle

Q. When did you move to Routt County and what brought you here?

A. 1986. I came to visit my best friend from high school, went home, packed up the kids and moved a year later.

Q. What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken recently?

A. Opening my business.

Q. Describe your morning routine.

A. Roll out of bed, let the dog out, get dressed, let the dog in, assure the dog I will be back and get to work by 6:30 a.m.

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A. No matter what, keep your sense of humor.

Q. What three things would you want people to know about you?

A. 1. Usually, I’m not laughing with you, but at you; 2. You will always know where you stand with me; 3. The third thing is a secret.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. Older.

Q. In the Meatloaf song, “I’ll do anything for love, but I won’t do that,” what is that?

A. I will not eat oysters in any way, shape or form.

Q. What was your first job?

A. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard posting clerk. I was 15.

Q. Do you have a tattoo? If so, what of and why did you chose it?

A. Not sayin’.

Q. Do you have any phobias?

A. I have a fear of seeing my name in the paper.

Q. If you could go back in time, to what event or time period would you go?

A. 1969 Crater Festival in Diamond Head crater (in Hawaii).

Q. What is your favorite thing to do in Routt County?

A. Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Favorites

Book: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Song: “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Meatloaf

Color: Yellow

Food: Anything but oysters

Sport to watch: Other people shoveling

Vacation spot: none

Recreational activity: none