We recently connected with Nick Pace and have shared our conversation below.
Nick, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from two main places: my upbringing and my faith. Growing up, I was always taught that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. As a kid I was the one selling lollipops in school or mowing lawns in the neighborhood—not just to make money, but because I enjoyed serving people and creating value. Those early experiences shaped how I approach business today.
The other piece is my faith. I believe God calls us to be good stewards of what we’re given, whether that’s time, talent, or opportunity. For me, work isn’t just about building a business—it’s about doing everything with integrity, excellence, and a heart to serve others. That perspective pushes me to give my best every day, even when things get tough.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the founder and owner of Abel’s Bagels, a New York–style bagel shop in Southwest Las Vegas that has grown into a faith-driven brand with a loyal following. On the surface, we make bagels, coffee, and breakfast—but for me, it’s much deeper. Abel’s Bagels is about stewardship, about creating something with excellence, and about building a community space where people feel encouraged and uplifted.
The foundation of my work ethic and vision comes from both my childhood and my faith. As a kid, I was always entrepreneurial—selling lollipops in school, running my “You Grow It, We Mow It” lawn business, even dreaming during family car rides about what life could look like if I worked hard and built something lasting. That spark never went away. Over time, my personal faith gave that ambition new direction: work became less about chasing success for myself and more about using my gifts to serve others. That’s the spirit behind Abel’s Bagels.
Professionally, what excites me most is crafting bagels the traditional way—hand-rolled, fermented for over 12 hours, boiled and baked the way they’ve been made in New York for generations—while at the same time creating a business model that’s scalable and franchise-ready. It’s that balance between old-world authenticity and modern growth systems that I think makes our brand unique.
Our customers know us for quality and mindfulness in our ingredients—organic where possible, non-GMO flour, no nitrates or nitrites in our meats. They know us for our warm, uplifting environment: wholesome music, artwork with scripture and landscapes, and a team that genuinely cares about their experience. They know us for innovation too—whether it’s our house-made cream cheeses, creative acai bowls sourced from Nooks Organic in New York, or new recipes like our pumpernickel and sourdough bagels.
Right now, I’m focused on two big things:
Franchising Abel’s Bagels. We’re in the process of growing from one flagship shop into a national brand. We’ve built a strong foundation with nearly $1M in sales at our first location, and now we’re opening the door for others to join the journey. With a franchise model rooted in systems, quality, and culture, my goal is to grow thoughtfully and faithfully—choosing partners who share our values, not just anyone who can sign a check.
Expanding production and catering. We’re building out a commissary kitchen to scale wholesale and support future franchisees, while also growing our catering business for offices, events, and community gatherings. Bagels bring people together, and I see catering as one of the biggest growth engines for us in the years ahead.
What I want people to know about Abel’s Bagels is that it’s more than a restaurant—it’s a calling. Every bagel, every cup of coffee, every smile at the counter is an opportunity to encourage someone, to create connection, and to do business with integrity. That’s what excites me the most: knowing that the work we do has an eternal impact, not just a financial one.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For me, three qualities shaped my journey more than anything else:
1. Resilience through Faith.
There have been plenty of moments where things could have knocked me down—equipment failures, staffing challenges, financial pressure. What kept me standing wasn’t just grit; it was faith. I truly believe God calls us to persevere, to run the race with endurance. When I felt like giving up, prayer and trust in Him gave me the strength to keep going.
Advice: Build resilience by leaning on something greater than yourself. Whether it’s your faith or a strong guiding principle, let it carry you when your own strength runs low. Every trial is a training ground that prepares you for the next step.
2. Stewardship & Integrity.
I don’t view Abel’s Bagels as “my” business—it belongs to God, and I’m a steward of it. That perspective changes how I treat people, how I handle money, and how I make decisions. Integrity isn’t optional when you believe you’re accountable to more than just customers or investors—you’re accountable to God.
Advice: Early on, decide who or what you’re ultimately serving. If you anchor your work in stewardship and integrity, people will sense it, and doors will open that shortcuts or compromises could never unlock.
3. Systems with Purpose.
Passion got me started, but to grow, I had to put systems in place: recipes, training, operations, customer service—all designed to reflect excellence. To me, this is also an act of faith: if God has entrusted me with this business, then I need to care for it diligently, with order and discipline. Systems aren’t just about efficiency; they’re about creating a foundation where people can flourish.
Advice: Even if you’re just starting, write down how you do things. Pretend someone else will step into your shoes tomorrow. Building structure early allows you to scale while staying faithful to your values.
At the heart of it all, my journey has been about combining resilience, stewardship, and systems—and grounding all of it in faith. That’s what keeps me aligned, encouraged, and ready to keep building, one step at a time.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes — Abel’s Bagels is in an exciting season of growth, and I’m always open to collaborating with the right people. For me, the “right people” aren’t just those with resources or business experience, but those who align with our values of stewardship, integrity, and community impact.
On the franchise side, we’re looking for individuals and families who not only love bagels but also love people—partners who want to build something meaningful in their community. Ideal franchisees are hands-on, value-driven, and committed to excellence.
On the collaboration side, I’m also interested in connecting with:
Faith-driven entrepreneurs who see business as a calling and a way to serve.
Local organizations and nonprofits that want to partner for events, catering, or community uplift.
Creative collaborators—from food innovators to content creators—who can help us tell our story in fresh and inspiring ways.
The best way to connect with me is through our website, www.abels-bagels.com
, or directly via Instagram @abelsbagelslv. Whether it’s franchising, community partnerships, or creative projects, I’m excited to connect with those who share our heart for excellence, service, and faith-driven impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abels-bagels.com
- Instagram: @abelsbagelslv
- Facebook: @abelsbagelslv
- Yelp: Abel’s Bagel in Las Vegas, NV
Image Credits
The portrait photos (of me) get credited to Nelly Morillo. All the other photos (logo shot and the food) go to Abigail Lopata.
