Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anyela Herrera, Founder and CEO of Tuyú Coffee, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Tuyú Coffee is a Houston-based company that brings high-end specialty coffee from our land in Colombia and roasts it locally in the US. All our coffee offerings are handpicked, selected, and threshed in origin (Quindío, Colombia). Our coffee is roasted and packed in Houston, TX, to always guarantee freshness for our clients. Our customers are coffee lovers and enthusiasts that value and appreciate quality.
Tell us about yourself
I am Anyela Herrera; I was born in the state of Quindío, deep in the heart of the Coffee area of Colombia. I grew up surrounded by the Coffee Culture and Traditions. I graduated in Biology, where I learned to value and love the magic of nature even more. In 2007 I was elected Miss Quindío and represented my state in the National Beauty Contest of Miss Colombia: I learned to be an Ambassador of the traditions, values, and roots of my state during that period.
In 2017 I moved to Houston, TX, where I studied Business and Entrepreneurship, always having in my mind to find a way to connect my Homeland with my new life. Tuyú Coffee was born with the vision to create a luxury coffee experience as a gift for the coffee consumers' senses. The name was inspired by the song "Happy Birthday To You," twisted in a Spanish version to emphasize the meaning as a gift for the senses of coffee consumers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far has been educating a wide base of consumers through our presentations and seminars, making them aware of the magical world hidden behind a cup of coffee. This process has helped many customers to appreciate better the real flavors of a quality cup of coffee and not consider it just a beverage to drink, only to get a caffeine dose to start the day.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, you definitely are always thinking about work! It is hard to separate your personal life from your work; you are wired all the time. However, the fun part is when you see that your efforts are paying off and you see your business growing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You absolutely need to do something that you are passionate about: that will help you to face the difficulties you will naturally encounter during the process of growing your business.
- Be Aware and alert as opportunities are passing by every day!
- Give credit to yourself! It's hard sometimes to recognize you've got something done when in front of you, there is a huge and never-ending To DO List still waiting to be tackled.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.tuyucoffee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuyucoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuyucoffee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyela-herrera-sánchez-3a291267/
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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