We are SO excited to introduce the Lehigh Valley Moms Community to our June Meet-A-Mom, Deb Colitas! A true Renaissance woman, Deb wears a lot of hats. From running a communications company to being, who we consider, The Strawberry Queen of the Lehigh Valley, Deb truly does it all!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the Lehigh Valley.
It is amazing to think that I have been a part of the Lehigh Valley since 1996 when I arrived as a freshman at Muhlenberg College. Right away, I loved the feel of the Valley, being able to enjoy the Allentown Fair, nachos at the Chicken Lounge, and enjoying a night at Dorney Park with friends. Three years later, at a wedding before my senior year, the handsome young man I was paired with in the bridal party asked me, ‘Is that Muhlenberg sticker on your mom’s minivan?’. Here my future husband was just 15 minutes away in Bethlehem the entire time! A year and six
months later, Chris and I married and settled to start our adventure.
I began my career at Kids Peace and then taught at Fountain Hill Elementary in the Bethlehem Area School District. I loved those years prior to having our kiddos and obtained my masters with a focus in Educational Technology through Wilkes University. Being home with our children, Calli (now 22, married, and expecting our first grandchild) and Nico (21, engaged, and stepping into our businesses) was always the priority. However, “being home” for our family meant supporting the office needs and running all the moving pieces of the different businesses we had together.
You and Chris have so much going on! How do you handle it all?
Chris and I found that we really worked well as business partners. We know that not everyone is able to do what we do! It takes a different type of patience and the ability to let things roll. Right away, our children were involved, observing, working, playing, and participating.
Can you tell us a little more about your businesses and how everything evolved?
Today, we have four businesses between Chris and I; Valley Fruits & Veggies, The Gyro Company (at Coca-Cola Park and food trailer at the farm), Keystone Snow Management, and FocusPoint Communications. Honestly, it is a lot! But we love every moment and get to work together. I am sure there will be more businesses in the future, as we have a ton of ideas. What we have learned is not to be afraid of making mistakes and learning from them. We had a catastrophic business loss in 2014 and had to declare bankruptcy. Our home was foreclosed on, cars repossessed, and even needed SNAP assistance for a moment of time. I would never wish this on anyone, but THIS is when you really find out that all you need is your faith and family. Everything else is secondary. Here is the ultimate not-so-secret… Once you have lost it all in the eyes of the world’s standards, you are not afraid of anything. You move faster, stronger, with more precision, and are hungry to make a difference and show everyone who put you down that you come back bigger and better!
LOVE that message and that story! So we all know that Pick-Your-Own season is almost upon us- tell us what families can expect this year.
The Lehigh Valley knows me and my family most from Valley Fruits & Veggies because of our fun Facebook live videos and farm-educating stories and reels on social media. We love inviting the entire community to our farm each spring for strawberries and fall for pumpkins. And now that we have more land, everyone can come visit ALL SUMMER LONG!
From the first week of June until November 1st, we will have our farm market open with tons of fresh fruits and vegetables plus now our famous milkshakes. A soft serve ice cream machine is also here alongside a corn roaster that will help us celebrate harvest festivals during the summer months. I love seeing the smiling faces of children and families who choose to visit us year after year. We get to share in their growth and supply memories of being together.
I know my kids look forward to their Valley Fruits & Veggies trips every year! What makes it such a special place for families to enjoy?
We go back to basics. We work very hard to have our farm be a place with tons of activities and amazing food without being commercialized. Everything on the farm is owned and operated by us as we seek each guest to have an incredible experience.
Are your kids following in your entrepreneurial footsteps?
As a mom, the most incredible thing has been watching my now college graduating children grow in their leadership, problem solving, and community building skills. Calli is planning on establishing her own public relation business in the near future and Nico started Bin Boss Services while also working fully to be a part of all of our businesses after college. To be able to work alongside your children and support them in their growth is the greatest reward. Parenting never stops! I’m beyond excited to be a Yiayia and start the next generation of love and care in our family.
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “It takes a village”- who is yours and how do you use them?
Our village are our moms who stepped in SO many times to help with the kiddos when they were young when Chris and I needed to focus or just needed a date night! Our church family at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is amazing and then our hired team is the best of the best.
Meet a Mom: Favorite Things
Favorite Local Take Out Food: Jin Long Chinese in Bath
Favorite Date Night Spot: Westside Grill (best Lobster Bisque!)
Favorite Weekend Activity: Ha! In the winter, at home, on the sofa, with no business needing
attention
Favorite Activity to Unwind: Getting on a plane from ABE to a warm beach #Beaches #Sandals
Favorite Local Nail Salon: When not wearing work boots, Tips to Toes in Nazareth
