What’s a decision that changed the direction of your career?
One of the decisions that changed the direction of my career was to trust my vision and ideas instead of trusting people’s perception and adopting their insecurities.
People always told me that I’d never be able to compete with the big chains and it took time to realize I don’t need to if I’m able to break the mold of ordinary “cookie cutter” coffee shops and create a league of my own. That’s when I learned not to let people with small minds convince me my dreams are too big.
What’s a daily habit you can’t live without?
One daily habit I can’t live without is preparing my daily “to do” list while having my morning coffee. It forces me to ask myself questions, analyze the previous day, prepare for what’s on the agenda, study our numbers, address any challenge which ultimately creates an ever improving system.
What’s a personal rule you follow in business?
A personal rule I follow in business is to be ready for the worst and hope for the best. A lot of times as a young and passionate entrepreneur, you tend to believe everything will work out perfectly and skip the “if not” aspects. Nowadays, my team and I make sure to spend time on exploring the various potential negative scenarios that might arise so we can be ready to address anything that comes our way.
What’s one moment that reminded you why you love what you do?
One moment that reminds me why I love what I do is every morning when I get to watch people take their first sip of coffee in the morning like a “grounding ritual,” signaling a moment of self-care, a break from stress, or a nostalgic return to cherished memories.
That moment when the cup gets closer and the aroma hits the senses, the hot coffee touches the lips and the warm feeling of familiarity and comfort takes over. This combination of factors makes coffee a powerful tool, turning a simple beverage into a “warm hug” which sets you up for success.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about failure?
One thing I learned about failure is it doesn’t define me and it’s not permanent. It’s just the opposite. Failure should never demoralize. It should inspire you to try again or to try something different. It is never about winning—it’s about how many times you are willing to try.
What’s one thing you want to be known for outside of work?
One thing I’d like to be known for outside of work is my commitment to my community and for always elevating the people around me. I believe when you’re successful you shouldn’t build a higher wall but rather build a longer table. It’s always about how much you give and never about how much you take.
What’s a personal rule you follow in business?
A personal rule I follow in business is transparency. I focus only on orchestrating “win-win” situations. Never deceive, never over promise and under deliver, never have your personal agenda be superior to fairness.
I am the brand! Regardless of the name on the sign. At the end of the day, people deal with me and not the name on the sign.
