Meet Madison Wean

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Madison Wean a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Madison, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes directly from my father, who has been my greatest example of what consistent effort can achieve. Through his actions, he taught me that persistence and dedication invariably lead to meaningful results.
He instilled in me the understanding that excellence requires being the hardest worker in any environment. Simply showing up isn’t enough—you must actively engage and contribute at your highest level. His philosophy was clear: if you commit to something, commit fully and strive to excel.
What I value most about his teachings is the balance between ambition and resilience. While he pushed me to aim for excellence in everything I undertake, he also emphasized that failure is an acceptable part of growth. The key is to persevere, learn from setbacks, and continuously seek improvement.
This approach has shaped not just how I work, but how I view challenges in all aspects of life—as opportunities to develop mastery in one area before expanding my horizons to conquer the next.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

We are a small business, The Cottage, that began with a simple vision: creating exceptional coffee while making a positive impact. What makes our approach special is our direct partnership with small farmers in Brazil, where we’ve established a profit-sharing model that ensures they earn a livable wage. This relationship isn’t just business—it’s about dignity, sustainability, and mutual respect.
Our commitment to community extends beyond our coffee origins. We take immense pride in our seasonal menu that showcases the bounty of local purveyors and farmers. By keeping our supply chain hyperlocal, we not only ensure the freshest ingredients but also strengthen our community’s economic fabric.
What truly sets us apart is how we’ve evolved into a cultural hub. Every Friday and Saturday, our space transforms with live music featuring talented local musicians. These evenings have become a cherished tradition, giving our neighbors a place to enjoy quality entertainment without traveling far from home. There’s something magical about bringing people together over great cocktails, coffee, food, and music that creates lasting connections.
One of our most beloved initiatives emerged during the challenges of COVID. When local wineries struggled to keep their doors open, we created Wednesday wine tastings featuring boutique PNW wineries. For just $10, guests enjoy three curated tastings, and we waive the fee with a bottle purchase. What began as a pandemic pivot has flourished into a community tradition with a devoted following.
On a personal level, I’m deeply invested in our local business community, serving on the Woodinville Wine Country board and the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce board, where I currently serve as president. We actively collaborate with the Northshore Schools Foundation and continually seek ways to give back to the community that has embraced us.
Our number one goal is to be a hub where the community can come together with friends and family. We’ve designed our offerings to meet diverse needs throughout the day, serving brunch, happy hour, and dinner – trying to be a little bit of everything for everyone. Our full bar features unique local spirits, complementing our scratch kitchen that prides itself on seasonal, ever-changing offerings. While our menu evolves with the seasons, beloved staples like our award-winning Snake River meatballs, our signature Waygu Cottage burger, and our indulgent Croissant French Toast have earned permanent places on our menu by popular demand.
Whether you’re looking for your morning coffee, a relaxed business lunch, a craft cocktail with locally-distilled spirits, family dinner, or evening entertainment, The Cottage aims to be your welcoming neighborhood destination.
This blend of thoughtful sourcing, community leadership, culinary creativity, and cultural programming reflects our belief that a business should nourish more than just appetites—it should feed the soul of a community.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities have proven most impactful in navigating the dynamic world of hospitality:
1. Resilience and Adaptability
The hospitality landscape evolves constantly, requiring an ability to pivot quickly around new ideas and challenges. When faced with shifting consumer preferences, economic pressures, or unexpected disruptions, resilience became my greatest asset.
I learned not to feel defeated when obstacles arose. Instead, I would press through difficulties by remembering my core purpose—connecting with people and creating memorable experiences. This mindset helped me weather storms that might have otherwise derailed my progress.
Advice for newcomers: Embrace change rather than resisting it. When you encounter setbacks, view them as opportunities to innovate rather than roadblocks. Developing this resilience early will carry you through the inevitable challenges of this industry.
2. Balancing Guest Satisfaction with Team Wellbeing
Perhaps the most delicate skill I developed was finding the balance between ensuring guest happiness while maintaining a supportive environment for my team. With rising operational costs creating additional pressure, this balance became increasingly challenging but absolutely essential.
I discovered that when my team felt valued and supported, they naturally extended that same care to our guests. This created a virtuous cycle that became the foundation of our success.
Advice for newcomers: Remember that your team is your greatest asset. Invest in their development, listen to their concerns, and create systems that protect their wellbeing while maintaining exceptional guest experiences. This dual focus will sustain your business in the long run.
3. Creative Problem-Solving and Continuous Learning
The ability to think outside the box and challenge conventional approaches became crucial as we sought to differentiate ourselves. By encouraging my team to brainstorm creative solutions and community events, we discovered untapped opportunities that set us apart.
Reading has been instrumental in fueling this creativity. “Unreasonable Hospitality” profoundly impacted my approach, and I make it a practice to regularly consume books that challenge my thinking. When I find particularly resonant ideas, I share them with my team to spark collective growth.
Advice for newcomers: Make continuous learning a non-negotiable part of your routine. Read widely within and beyond your industry. Build a practice of challenging assumptions and encouraging creative thinking among your team. This commitment to innovation will help you stay ahead in a competitive field.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara has played an incredibly important role in my personal and professional development. This book resonated far beyond just those in the restaurant industry.
One of the most impactful elements was the loving, touching story about Will Guidara’s mom and how her death affected both him and his dad. That part brought me to tears the first time I read it, showing how personal experiences shape our approach to business and leadership.
The book imparted several nuggets of wisdom that have stayed with me:

The importance of going above and beyond for guests, especially those experiencing something (like NYC) for the first time – but more importantly, understanding the “why” behind such extraordinary service
Giving your team a clear purpose and mission that makes them feel genuinely good about their work
The concept of “putting your aces in their places” – positioning people where they can excel – while also having the courage to make changes when something isn’t working
The timeless advice to “fire fast, hire slow” – a principle that resonates deeply with me and that I now preach to my own staff

I’ve become something of an evangelist for this book among my staff and other restaurant professionals. The lessons apply universally, helping to create not just better business outcomes, but more meaningful human connections in any industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecottagebothell.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecottagebothell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecottagebothell/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-wean/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cottage-bothell

Image Credits

Jessica Burnett
[email protected]
@sevenofheartsphotography