We were lucky to catch up with Omaira Mahan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Omaira , appreciate you joining us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

As a business owner, taking vacation/time off for myself is one of the hardest things about what I do. I used to have the mindset that I need to be in “grind” mode all the time in order to succeed, but I learned very quickly that it’s not sustainable-or healthy. Now, I make it a priority to take a few short vacations each year to rest and recharge to come back into my work stronger. I strongly encourage my fellow business owners to take some time off and prioritize their health. You don’t have to go for a month-long vacation, even going away for a weekend goes a long way. Trust your team and build strong systems so you are able to confidently step away and relax.

Omaira , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder of Horror Vibes Coffee, a horror-themed coffee shop that blends specialty spooky coffee with an immersive experience celebrating the horror genre. We’re more than just a coffee shop- we are a community built on a love for horror, inclusion and creativity.
My goal when opening Horror Vibes Coffee was to create a space where people like me can have a place where they feel welcome and comfortable to be able to embrace their love for the eerie and the macabre. What makes Horror Vibes stand out aside from its unique theme, is that we are an experience. From the horror-genre inspired drinks, to drink collaborations with brands such as Universal Pictures, Disney and Lionsgate, we strive to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is community driven and creative. I’m proud of the impact that Horror Vibes has had in the coffee industry and with creating a space where outcasts like myself are welcome and celebrated.

Any advice for managing a team?

My biggest advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to lead with transparency, empathy and consistency. People work best when they feel heard and valued. Through my experience as a business owner, I’ve learned that setting clear expectations, communication and giving recognition often is what builds a strong team that you can rely on. Additionally, I’ve learned that creating a business model that allows the team to grow internally- whether it’s creatively, or being given new responsibilities- creates longevity and provides space for the team to shine in what they individually do best. Having a trustworthy team and high morale is one of the key factors of a successful business.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When we first opened, I was running the store’s social media. I was posting consistently online to showcase our brand and what we had to offer, and we first went viral overnight in the fall of 2022. This brought a significant amount of attention to the store, and there was a lot of pressure because our shop was still a work in progress since we were only open for a few months. This pushed me to stay consistent and really polish my brand because going viral is not always sustainable. After a while things start to slow down, so consistency and having a perfected brand is crucial when it comes to running a business. Our social media presence now is stronger than ever- we listen to and really try to connect with our audience and make sure we always have something to keep them excited about. My advice to those who are starting to build their social media presence is to stay consistent and true to your brand, and don’t rely on going viral. Create quality content that will keep your audience engaged and excited to see what your business/brand has to offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.horrorvibes.com
• Instagram: horrorvibescoffee
• Twitter: horrorvibesla

Image Credits

personal pic credit: VERA’S EYECANDY
Ig handle: _eyecandy