Meet Renee Deckrow | Founder/Owner of Live Oak Coffeehouse & Roastery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Deckrow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

I think the main reasons for our success are twofold. First, because my husband and I haven’t always understood business, we  have had to really dive in and read tons of books, ask millions of questions, and immerse ourselves in any tool we could get our hands on.  We have been lifelong students because it hasn’t been natural to us. Additionally, while we love the things we “do” in business,  we love the people, relationships, connections, and purpose more. This has allowed our businesses to evolve and change to meet the needs we have seen over the years. We start from a place of “What problem do we want to solve in the world?” or “What is something that is really breaking our hearts that we feel like we can address in a practical way?” We start with why…. we study, we keep learning. We pray, and we keep trying to improve. We embrace progress over perfection, constantly advancing toward our mission and vision while staying focused on what truly matters.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

In 1999, our initial venture began as the quintessential “side hustle”. I often joke about juggling growing businesses and growing children during that first decade. While balancing four little ones and my husband’s career as a Chemical Engineer, we embarked on our first entrepreneurial journey in the realm of Videography & Photography. Aaron and I  discovered immense joy in the art of storytelling and cherished the connections we made with families, preserving their precious memories. Embarking on our family business journey was an exciting adventure, yet it revealed a steep learning curve. To master the ropes, we dove head first into as many books on business, marketing, leadership, and finance as were available. We also tuned into podcasts and sought guidance from business coaches. The realization of how much we had yet to learn was humbling.

In 2013, my husband and I embraced a new challenge by purchasing our 17,000 sq ft building. Our vision was to foster a sense of community, providing spaces for creativity, inspiration, and respite for both dreamers and doers. As we ventured into the realm of commercial property ownership, assuming the roles of “landlords” and “developers,” it took me some time to acclimate to these new titles. However, I made a conscious decision early on that we would aspire to embody the best parts of these significant responsibilities and operate with intentionality and integrity.

As a Creative, I enjoy creating spaces that foster hospitality… making sure to pay attention to all of the details, the sights, sounds, textures, and even smells has been an art form that I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to cultivate throughout the years. I especially enjoy transforming “forgotten” or “tired” spaces into something beautiful, serene, and welcoming. I have been able to do this often throughout our journey, and it always brings me great joy to watch spaces come alive and be enjoyed by others.

In 2016, this vision evolved into the opening of our coffeehouse called Live Oak. The very first words I wrote as my hopes for Live Oak Coffeehouse was this: “Our desire is to create a welcoming, warm & inspiring place of gathering for the dreamers & doers. The weary. The celebratory. The thinkers. The comedians. The students. The industrious & creative. The ambitious. The musicians & the artist. The nurturers & the teachers. The happy & the sad. The wandering & the focused. The broken & the recovering. The hopeless & hopeful.”

We have several taglines we use to embody this manifesto. “When you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence.”
We like coffee, and we LOVE people. We hope to Live with Intention, Focus on the Good, and Love our Neighbors

It has been 7 years since I founded Live Oak and now I spend much of my time caring for our large team by traveling to each of our 3 locations to check on operations and connect & encourage, maintaining the vision & culture, and engaging with our community. And as a photographer, I have used my skillsets to train our marketing team and develop people-focused marketing strategies. At the heart of everything I do are connection and community. I love that as a real estate investor, I have had the opportunity to develop spaces that facilitate this passion, and as a cafe owner, people.
One of my favorite questions remains, ‘What breaks your heart, how can you go and solve that problem?’…. the why behind my passion is to help solve the loneliness & isolation we can so often feel in the world. Everyone deserves a space to rest, exhale, and feel a sense of belonging. Influenced by my Dutch mom & grandparents, I learned to create environments that are “so gezellig” (definition of gezellig) and hope everyone entering Live Oak will feel welcome & warm. Through the simplicity of coffee & kindness, we welcome everyone to join in this dream to foster connection and community so everyone can thrive.
As our success with the coffeehouses has grown, we expanded our operations to two new communities, discovering our love for serving an ever-increasing number of people. We have coffeehouses in both Bay City and Saginaw, as well as our original Midland location! This growth inspired us to establish Live Oak Coffee Roastery in 2019. The goal? Not only to serve our valued guests but also to supply other cafes, organizations, and retail outlets with our coffee beans and, more importantly, our unique approach to doing business. We love to share what we have learned with new cafe owners; we value authenticity and are committed to keeping it genuine and down to earth as we walk alongside our guests, clients, and communities.
The name “Live Oak” symbolizes shelter, increased property values, and the unwavering strength from enduring challenges. As these majestic trees gracefully age, their sprawling limbs extend down to the ground, offering comforting shade and protective shelter, and we hope to emulate that. Above all, our brand strives to embody approachability without a hint of pretentiousness. We hope that having a Live Oak in any community increases its value and makes it a better place.

This journey has been a profound experience of growth and transformation. While it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, every challenge we encountered gifted us with new skills. These include embracing ambiguity, troubleshooting live events, harmonizing technology and artistry, excelling in customer service, and managing creative enterprises. My dedication to people remains unwavering, and my firm belief in the power of “together” has only been strengthened through these adventures. I cannot fathom navigating this path without the unwavering love, support, and enduring encouragement of our team, my family, friends, and the communities that surround us.

I am a quote fanatic and these are a few that have inspired us with Live Oak:

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou

“Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.” Steve Jobs

“We must be guardians of a space that allows people to breathe, and be curious and explore the world and be who they are without suffocation, one place where they can rumble with vulnerability and their hearts can exhale.” Dare to Lead, Brene Brown

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa

“There is no hospitality like understanding.”- Vanna Bonta

Hospitality means we take people into the space that is our lives and our minds and our hearts and our work and our efforts. Hospitality is the way we come out of ourselves. It is the first step towards dismantling the barriers of the world. Hospitality is the way we turn a prejudiced world around, one heart at a time. -Joan D. Chittister

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” – Shauna Niequist

Hospitality is simply love in action. It has much more to do with the resources of a generous heart than with the sufficiency of food or space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

This is a wonderful question!! I love telling people all the awesome things they should check out in our communities!

Ah! Where to begin?
In Midland, I highly suggest getting a latte from Live Oak and taking a short drive to Dow Gardens, followed by a nice long walk through Dow Gardens and onto Whiting Forest; the canopy walk is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in nature. If you appreciate Mid-Century Modern Architecture, I also recommend scheduling a tour of the Alden B Dow house and studio; it is stunning and inspiring.

I would eat lunch Downtown at Pizza Baker; they started in our commissary kitchen; they have the most delicious wood-fired pizza and a wonderful mission. After lunch, I would shop in all the cute boutiques downtown and walk back to Midtown to check out the boutique in our building, Botanica. Visitors should then grab some fun pictures in front of our gigantic mural before walking back Downtown, where you will find several more awesome murals painted through an artist collaboration called Art Seen. Jazzmyn Benitez & Dacia Parker (lifelong friends) are the geniuses behind that incredible work.

Of course, you should check out the Tridge…. if you still have energy, even take a kayak ride down the river… you need more time!! After this long day, you deserve a simply magical evening dinner experience in the outdoor courtyard of the H Hotel. One Eighteen has a delicious and approachable menu, and the outdoor spaces will make you feel like you are in Europe.

You need three days! One day for each of the Tri-Cities: Bay City always makes us feel like we are taking a vacation from everyday life, and it is only twenty minutes away from our home in Midland. Start your morning with a delicious and generous breakfast at Uptown Grill, save room for a latte from Live Oak next door, and begin your day in the Galleria. The cute boutiques there, SoCal and Omoni, will surely delight you with the perfect gift for someone else or a much-deserved splurge for yourself. You may have worked up an appetite by now, so you will want to grab some Sushi Remix bowls and eat those down by the river. Fueled up, you are ready to start your walk to Downtown Bay City…. if you love antiques, you will be in heaven. Explore the many antique stores and cute boutiques; you will certainly find many treasures. By now, you will likely be ready for another pick-me-up and should grab another coffee drink from Populace or Harless and Hugh before you return to Uptown. End your day with dinner from Real Seafood; my favorite is the Bourbon Salmon, but save room for a famous Main Street Choffee flavor, made with Live Oak Espresso in a Bubble Cone from Cream and Sugar. If you plan it on a Thursday night, you may even enjoy music by the Fountain.

Last but not least, your time in Saginaw will leave you with surprising delight and awe. Grab the kiddos and begin your day in our most spacious and newest Live Oak… our housemade quiche pairs so perfectly with our housemade cinnamon rolls and cold brew. Pack some No-Nonsense granola bars and head to the Zoo and Children’s Museum. Your littles will love the train ride and carousel at the Zoo and the water table at the museum. After your full day laughing with your kiddos, reward the whole family with chips and queso and a Chicken Chimichanga at CocoLoco.
End your day with a stop next door to Great Lakes Ice Cream; the Pictured Rocks flavor is hands down my favorite. Enjoy it there, or take it to go and head over to the spacious Roberts Park.

If you were staying for a week, I would recommend many more things like the Japanese Cultural Center, The Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum, Chippewa Nature Center, and a trip down the Saginaw River on Wenonah. You will have to revisit this region.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Oh goodness, this might be the longest part of this interview! I have countless people to shout out, and I fear I may miss some, but here goes: I am overcome with gratitude to God for all of the incredible people who have been a part of this journey!

Above all, I am immensely grateful for my husband, who has consistently been my biggest cheerleader and unwavering source of support.  In addition, our four exceptional children, who have grown up in our businesses, haven’t always had a typical family dinner free of discussions around business, and I love that they have all participated in our success and growth.  My mother has been an incredible influence in my life, embodying selflessness, strength, and grace. My sisters and friends are my constant companions, bringing laughter, joy, and the space to shed tears when necessary. In my leadership journey, mentors like Tonilee Cullison, Bertha Vaughn, Heidi Shearer & Kelly Osborn, along with colleagues including Dacia Parker, Star Gust, Joy McMillan, Lisa Coyer, Annie Stout, and all the members of BRAVE, have uplifted me during challenging times and inspired me to persist while reminding me to stay true to my core values. 

Our communities have profoundly influenced and shaped us. From our faith community to the vibrant artist community, as well as the thriving business and maker communities, we are truly fortunate to have countless individuals who have stood by our side, believed in our dreams, and offered loyal support. We are also immensely grateful for our incredible guests who engage in meaningful conversations, celebrate milestones with us, and make remarkable contributions to their families and communities. We are honored to fuel their endeavors and deeply appreciate their continued support.

Last but certainly not least, our amazing and ever-growing staff… we simply could not do this without them…  Our founding manager and creative visionary, Daniel Terhune, played a pivotal role in establishing Live Oak’s core. Jazz Benitez, our steadfast Director of Operations, has been a pillar of stability, offering historical perspective and invaluable guidance from the very start. The dedication of our entire team – from leaders to baristas and pantry staff – as they serve our communities day in and day out with a genuine care, is truly inspiring.

Website: liveoak.coffee

Instagram: liveoakcoffeehouse and liveoakroasters

Facebook: liveoakcoffeehouse

Other: tik tok: liveoakco

Image Credits
Dacia Parker