By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
WAKEENEY—For years, Bailey Belisle walked through the doors of The Well in WaKeeney as a customer looking for coffee and connection. Now, she is stepping into the role of manager at the WaKeeney nonprofit coffee shop.
Belisle recently was announced as the new manager of The Well as current leadership prepares for a move to Oklahoma City later this summer. She said the opportunity came unexpectedly after what began as a simple conversation with current owner Jerod Brown.
“I truly believe it was a God thing,” Belisle said. “I was not really looking for it. Conversations just kind of unfolded, and the doors kept opening.”
At the time, Belisle said she was experiencing some “misalignments” in her previous career path and felt strongly compelled to speak with Jerod, even though she did not fully understand why.
“I just felt this pull in my heart that I needed to go talk to him,” Belisle said. “So several months ago, I decided I was just going to go have a conversation with him.”
That conversation quickly turned into something much larger.
“Long story short, it was kind of an answered prayer for both of us,” Belisle said. “Jerod was looking for somebody to take over, and we never expected it would be either of us.”
Belisle said the transition feels natural, partly because of the long-standing relationships already built within the community. She said small-town living creates a level of connection that makes places like The Well especially meaningful.
“I think the biggest perk of living in a small town is that you get to build deeper relationships with people,” Belisle said. “Everybody knows everybody, and that can be a really great thing because you have support.”
Although many now consider Belisle a WaKeeney resident through and through, she originally grew up in Damar alongside her husband, Mark. The two have known each other most of their lives.
“Our parents were friends, and his sister was my best friend,” Belisle said. “We have known each other forever.”
Belisle attended Barton Community College, where she played volleyball before transferring to Fort Hays State University. She later earned a master’s degree in building leadership from FHSU.
After college, she accepted a teaching position in WaKeeney, which brought the couple to the WaKeeney community 14 years ago. Since then, they have built roots in the area.
Belisle and her husband, Mark Belisle, have four children: Kyran, 13, Kelby, 11, Kortlynn, 9 and Kayce, 3. Belisle said her youngest, Kayce, has become a major reason she recently began reprioritizing parts of her life plus career.
Belisle spent 14 years working in education at Trego Grade School. During that time, she taught primarily first and third grade before moving into intervention and leadership support roles.
“My favorite part was always helping people grow,” Belisle said. “Whether it was students or coworkers, I always wanted people to feel valued plus safe.”
That same passion for helping people is part of what drew her to The Well long before stepping into management. Belisle said she has been visiting The Well since her college days, making her transition from customer to manager feel especially meaningful.
“I was a huge fan of The Well,” Belisle said. “I came here very often.”
Living just around the corner from the coffee shop during her teaching career, Belisle said The Well became part of her routine for 14 years.
“If I wasn’t running late to school, I would come get coffee, or if somebody had a break, we would meet here,” Belisle said. “You knew you were going to get a really good drink, but you were also going to see people and have conversations that left you feeling energized.”
She said customers often leave feeling better than when they arrived.
“Being a patron of The Well in the past, you have that sense of belonging,” Belisle said. “You feel better walking out than you did when you walked in.”
As she prepares to lead The Well, Belisle said customers should not expect dramatic changes to the atmosphere or appearance of the coffee shop. Instead, she hopes to preserve the welcoming environment that already exists.
“We like things simple plus welcoming,” Belisle said. “I really just want to stay true to the mission they already have in place.”
Part of that atmosphere includes the seasonal decorations customers have come to recognize throughout the year. Belisle credited a nonprofit board member for creating the displays.
“We have somebody on our board who is amazing at decorating,” Belisle said. “She creates beautiful decorations for the holidays, so I definitely want to keep that same vibe plus atmosphere.”
Belisle acknowledged her management style might differ somewhat from Brown’s, especially in organizational approaches and scheduling, but she said she wants to spend time learning the operation before making many adjustments.
“I just want to figure things out before I start changing too much,” Belisle said with a smile. “The Well is really the center for hope.”
The Well operates as a nonprofit organization focused on supporting mental and emotional health through community connection. Belisle said that mission carries personal meaning for her.
“I think everybody just wants to feel like they matter,” Belisle said. “The Well is a reminder that taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally is important too.”
Belisle also said her own life experiences, including motherhood, have shown her the importance of emotional support and safe spaces within communities.
“I think everyone has times in life where they need to prioritize their mental and emotional health more than at other times,” Belisle said.
While Belisle will oversee day-to-day management of the coffee shop, Brown plans to remain involved with the nonprofit side of operations during the transition.
“I’m super thankful Jerod is still going to help with that side of things while I figure everything out,” Belisle said. “Right now I am learning scheduling, deposits and how to make drinks correctly.”
Belisle said one of the nonprofit initiatives she especially values is the Well Coffee Club. Through the program, community members make monthly donations that help support the nonprofit while also receiving a 10% discounts on drinks.
In addition to her role at The Well, Belisle also recently stepped into a leadership development position with Post Rock Leadership, an organization focused on leadership training and healthy workplace development within rural communities.
For Belisle, both roles ultimately connect back to the same purpose.
“It really comes back to investing in people,” Belisle said, “helping people feel supported and helping communities thrive.”
The Well's mission statement: The Well-Center for Hope, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the emotional, mental, spiritual and relational wellness of individuals and families in WaKeeney and western Kansas. In addition to serving as a local coffee shop, The Well offers educational programs on mental and emotional health and serves as a bridge between individuals needing a listening ear, life coaching or therapy with trained volunteers or licensed professionals.