Laura Coussens  found an intriguing magazine advertisement about alpacas on an airline flight to Alaska in 1997 and showed it to her husband.  When they got home, Laura and her aunt did more research to learn about alpacas.  Shortly thereafter, they met the cute furry critters that would soon change their lives.  They were impressed by the gentle and curious nature as well as the physical beauty of alpacas and of course their exquisite fiber.  After more research, they made the decision to sell their house and move 35 miles north to Stanwood, Washington to acquire acreage and raise alpacas.  Laura's sister, Julie Hull, created the Kissin' Coussens Alpacas web site and their father was also instrumental in the start-up of the farm. 

     John is an aerospace engineer, a private pilot and has recently completed the restoration of a 1928 antique TravelAir biplane.  Laura worked several years in retail (staring out as a salesperson and  leaving as a buyer), 10 years in aerospace (staring out in reprographics and leaving as a configuration management analyst) and acquired a bachelor's degree for elementary school teaching during her years working before becoming a stay-at-home mom and alpaca breeder. 

     A few of the many reasons they chose the alpaca lifestyle are their love for animals and the outdoors, the fact that alpacas are gentle on the land and are easy to care for and train, and could provide a supplemental income for their family. They purchased four weanling alpacas from three different farms in the spring of 1998.   Shortly after the alpacas arrived, John and Laura's second child, was born.  Laura will never forget trimming 32 toes when she was eight months pregnant!

     Laura is the official manager, feeder, trainer, shot giver, mid-wife, fleece sorter, advertising guru, photographer, manure manager (poop-scooper), sales manager, budget manager, transporter, show co-ordinator, animal handler, etc. and has found time to complete two alpaca record keeping projects (published in Alpacas Magazine), an article entitled, "Investment Alternative: Alpacas!",  and a preliminary "Alpaca Breed Standard of the United States of America (ABSUSA).  Needless to say, she's dedicated.  Her work raising children and alpacas is by far the most difficult job she's ever had, but both are a labor of love and without a doubt are the most rewarding jobs she could ever have and they fit her to a "T".  So, when you call KCA , please ask for Laura!