Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrea Ley, founder of Olla Express Cafe LLC., located in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Olla Express Cafe is a coffee company specializing in cafe de olla and traditional Mexican drinks with a mission to rescue traditional recipes from our ancestors and be a platform for them and Mexican coffee in us. We have diverse products such as ground mezcal infused café de olla and piloncillo syrup bottles. Pocket pour-over café de olla and many traditional artisanal drinks with a modern twist as pan de Muerto latte, mole latte, bunuelo latte, tepache, atole, ponche, and more!
People who love the traditional flavors with a creative twist, coffee lovers, and adventurous people looking for a great experience, a hug in a cup, and a trip in every sip.
Tell us about yourself
My coffee journey started as an enthusiast with the best part of my day: COFFEE! Then one of those days in 2016, I felt very homesick. I was missing my family, my friends, my culture. I thought: if I only could have a café de olla, that would help me feel better with that “apapacho” and warm hug from my Abuela’s coffee recipe. That was my AHA moment where I realized I could be the one making and selling café de olla to others that maybe feel the same way so that they could have a piece of our roots in a coffee sip, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I polished the idea in my mind first on how I wanted the brand to be brainstorming in a notepad and sharing them with my circle of trust. In the first opportunity, I went to Mexico to talk to my Abuela, and I started gathering all the recipes, tips, and tricks. I traveled to different regions of my country to be more knowledgeable and also make contact with producers and coffee experts, training myself in every opportunity I had in front of me, researching flavors and spices. In the meantime, I launched a Kickstarter campaign to get funds for my dream to be a reality. Unfortunately, it was not a success, but I didn’t give up. I was already very motivated, so I decided to stick to my 9-5 job and save money to invest in my own business. After eight years as a software engineer, I finally got what I needed: courage! Then I quit! It was the happiest moment in my life, and now I work more hours, but I feel fulfilled and happy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The brand has grown a lot. I started developing different products from the beginning, like cold brew de olla bottles, ground mezcal infused café de olla, piloncillo syrup bottle, pocket pour-over café de olla. Bringing the products to the market and being one of the herb quests for Texas Best Finalist 2021 with our piloncillo syrup as an original creation. Also, I opened my own coffee shop where I already have a beautiful team.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not being open to finding the solution when you think you are failing, the power of adaptability to find answers, and asking others for help.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask for help when needed.
- Make community.
- Surround of people who believe in you.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Coffee makes us forget there is so much distance between all of us across the world. Coffee lets us learn about culture and traditions. Do whatever makes you happy and share more coffee!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ollaexpresscafe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ollaexpresscafe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollaexpress/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ollaexpressus/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ollaexpresscafe/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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