Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brenda Rodriguez, Owner of Café Latina LLC, located in Corp Christi, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a new brand of Latin-Inspired Flavored Coffee. We are an e-Commerce company selling online. We have 12 oz. bags of coffee, Single Serve Pods, and variety packs to sample our eight flavors.
Tell us about yourself
It all began with a family tradition of sampling coffees in Texas shops with my father. I am a Corpus Christi native and the owner of Cafe Latina. I recall tasting coffees from origins such as Mexican Chiapas, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. I realized Latin-inspired flavored brews were lacking in the market, even in South Texas. Thus, Cafe Latina was born from the desire to share my favorite pastime with Latin and Hispanic American flavors that can be found throughout the culture.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our best accomplishment was the launch of our new brand of Latin-inspired coffee. After spending a year researching, designing, and developing our coffee, we created coffee that customers can try relating to my culture as a Latina. We are excited to serve our customers and community a different taste of our Latin-Inspired flavored coffee.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of growing any business is getting people to know you exist. Entrepreneurs often find it difficult to balance a schedule that includes sales and marketing activities, the search for financing, product development, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and business development. As business owners, we deal with the unknowns. Every day there will be new challenges and obstacles to deal with. Business is never predictable, no matter how prepared you are. The truth is you'll never be 100% ready, but you can be close to it if you're able to get into the right mind frame to tackle challenges and find solutions. One of the best ways to navigate through the unknowns is to put a routine in place that helps you get into the right mindset each and every day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Every small business owner has certain skills, abilities, knowledge, and experience that give them an edge when it comes time to build up a business and start operating it. Start with a simple business plan and grow it as needed. Focus on something you have a passion for. Understand your target customers and existing markets. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cafelatina.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafeLatinaCC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafelatinacoffee/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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