Meet Amanda Terry: Texas Strong Woman of the Month

This month’s Texas Strong Woman of the Month is my sweet friend–wife, mom, and coffee shop owner Amanda Terry.

My husband and I went to high school with Amanda Terry in Dripping Springs. But I didn’t really get to know her well until we were in Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) together. I love her heart for service, community, motherhood and, of course, coffee!

Meet Amanda Terry

Amanda Terry now lives in Austin with her husband, Justin, and their three young children, two sons and one daughter.

Building on her dad’s passion for wood fired coffee roasting, Amanda and Justin opened their first Summer Moon Coffee Bar in South Austin in November 2005, a few months before they got married. Ten years later, their growing business now includes Summermoon locations in Buda and Dripping Springs and has even expanded into franchises.

Texas Strong Woman of the Month

Favorite title(s) for yourself

I don’t think I actually have ever given myself a title other than the obvious–Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother. However, after some reflection on my role as a mother to my three beautiful children, I might give myself these titles: encourager, clean underwear enforcer, peace-maker, party planner, housekeeper, comforter, prayer warrior, teacher, personal chef/waitress, companion, nurse.

Your toughest lesson or challenge

The toughest challenge I face is truly surrendering everything to God on a daily basis. I often want to be in control of every situation, and, as we all know, that is impossible. When fear and worry start to creep in, I have to fight and remind myself to let go and trust in God and his perfect will for my life.

Your proudest accomplishment

My proudest accomplishment, by far, is being a mother to my three children. I know I am not a perfect mother, but God knew that I was going to be the perfect mother for them despite any of my shortcomings. I know I am biased, but my kids are pretty amazing!

I truly believe that God does give us the desires of our hearts. My second proudest accomplishment is opening and running a successful business for over 10 years. God gave me the desire and vision to open up a coffee shop while I was in college. God also gave me an amazing husband (boyfriend, at the time) who was willing to take that risk with me.

With just a few thousand dollars in our bank account, we signed a lease and opened up our first coffee shop in South Austin, Summermoon Coffee Bar.

Within a few months of opening, we got married!

We were also “married” to our business. We always joked that we didn’t need marriage counseling because anyone that can work together that much and still be in love could surely have a healthy marriage. Right?

We worked many hard and long hours. It took 5 years before we were really turning a profit. Our business was growing, and God was molding and shaping us along the way. We have learned countless lessons.

We know our children are growing up and watching us as we expand our business. We want to set a good example for them. Our hope is that they will learn that when you are diligent and faithful to the desires and dreams that God puts in your heart, you can accomplish anything!

Your role models or mentors

My parents have been my biggest mentors throughout my childhood as well as my adulthood. I cannot express enough how blessed I am to have such amazing parents!

My dad encompasses so many amazing attributes. He has such amazing faith that after any conversation I have with him, I feel so much more at peace. He always reminds me of the eternal perspective in this life.

My mom is not only a mentor, but she is also one of my best friends! She was, and still is, the most positive person I know. Nothing can shake her faith. Anyone that knows her knows that she is truly one-of-a-kind.

My parents, as well as my brother and his family, are our business partners. It is truly a family affair! They own and operate the coffee roasting side of Summermoon.

It is so great to have one another as sounding boards for any challenges we face, both in our family and in our business.

Your best advice for newbies

My best advice for newbie moms is to read When Mother’s Pray by Cheri Fuller.

My sweet mother-in-law gave me this book when I was pregnant with my firstborn, Everest. In fact, she wrote the sweetest note on the inside cover, “I wish I had read something like this when my kids were younger. It spoke to me and changed the way I saw my children and the way I prayed for them… .”

That book sat on my bookshelf for 5 years! I finally picked it up at a time when I felt like I was really struggling with all the worries that mothers face regarding their children. It was such a game-changer for me in how I prayed for my children. It helped me to release my reigns over them and truly let God take control.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Philippians 4:6

I would also say, take time to just enjoy your kids!

Our house growing up was never spotless by any means. My mom told us later that she was busy having fun with us! She was a super fun mom and today is a super fun GiGi. I remember vividly one day when my two boys (3 and 5 years old at the time) told me that all I ever did was clean and that they just wanted me to play with them. Ouch!

Sometimes, it is okay to let the dishes and the laundry go and play with your children. If you have more than one child, make it a point to take them on individual dates. There is something so special about that bonding time.

Another must-read is The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman. Quality time is so important to kids!

How you’re building community

com·mu·ni·ty- a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

I think community is so important during this stage in life.

I think it is unfortunate that, in this day and age, people are so busy! Too busy! I don’t ever want to be so busy that I miss out on being part of a community.

My family finally joined a missional community group at our church last year. We have wanted to for years but just weren’t able to commit with our sporadic schedule. The ladies meet one week, the men the other, and then all the families get together once a month. There is something so special about sharing and doing life together.

We also live in a amazing little cul de sac. Over the past two years, we have really enjoyed getting to know many of our neighbors better and watching all of our children play until the sun goes down. My husband and I also love having people over for dinner. There isn’t a quicker way to get your house spic and span than to plan for company.

I love sitting at our coffee shops and just looking around at all the people enjoying life together. I was so drawn to coffee shops in college because I just loved how coffee brought people together.

As a mother of young children, I know how hard it is to get together with friends and have an uninterrupted conversation. At our Buda location, we made it a point to have a children’s play area so moms could still get together with friends over a cup of coffee. It was such a hit that we are planning an even larger kid area at our new location near Dripping Springs.

Quote or verse you live by

One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 26:3-4:

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

As I have gotten older, this has become a verse I really cling to.

On any given day, just the details of life try to steal away our peace. What an encouragement to know that God promises us peace despite any circumstance we may be going through. My sister always tells me to look at life as an adventure. I think that is such a great way to look at it.

I also love this quote from Walt Disney:

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

If God has given you a vision and a passion for something, it is really fun to dream about where it could take you, but, until you get your feet on the ground and start working towards your dream, it will never become reality.

I love making lists! I especially love buying calendars and cute office supplies. Somehow I feel like if I have cute organizers it will make me want to be more organized and get more accomplished.

However, the hard part isn’t making the lists, it is checking the things off your list.

Even if you start small, put your ideas to work and see where they will lead you. You never know what doors will open for you just by seeking out opportunities.

Favorite nonprofits you support

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I am a firm believer in giving or tithing. We support our local church and something they call Project 3:20. It is based on Ephesians 3:20. Project 3:20 is a one-fund approach to grow the generosity of our church, The Austin Stone, and demonstrate our belief that God will continue to do amazing works through us.

We also sponsor an incredible family from the 100 People Network. The 100 People Network is an initiative of The Austin Stone to send at least 100 people from our church body to unreached peoples for a minimum of two years.

Another nonprofit that we support is Compassion International. This amazing organization helps children living in poverty around the world. One of my good friends from college worked for Compassion and traveled the globe to visit these children and record their stories. This organization truly changes lives. It is also a great way to get your children involved in helping those that are less fortunate so that they can see the bigger picture.