We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chazmine & Michaelangelo Sansano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chazmine & Michaelangelo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Our mission at Mayari Coffee is to support both small and female-owned farmers in the Philippines. We also want to build a platform for mental health awareness through our series “Voice of Depression.” With this series, we invite those who are strong enough to share their stories and give them a chance to be a voice for others to feel seen, heard and supported.
This is important to us because we’ve both personally experienced depression and are still navigating through its challenges. Having faced the emotional and mental struggles firsthand, we understand the isolation, confusion, and difficulty of talking about it. Our journey has shown us the importance of having a safe space to share, connect, and heal. By sharing our own stories, we hope to encourage others to speak out, knowing they are not alone in their struggles.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We are a husband and wife business with two different perspectives, combining the love of coffee with a commitment to mental health awareness.
Chazmine has loved coffee since her teenage years. I remember asking my mom if I could have some of hers because the inviting smell always caught my attention and sparked my curiosity. From that moment on, the rich aroma and comforting warmth of coffee became something I couldn’t resist. Over time, coffee has grown into a deep passion to the point where I collect sleeves from my favorite coffee shops, hoping to someday create a “coffee” sign out of them. Chazmine takes great pride in being Filipino and has always wondered what it would be like to be a barista. After practicing daily with an espresso machine, she finally mastered the craft and was eager to share her passion for both her culture and coffee with others.
Michaelangelo grew up never knowing how to express his emotions or control them. As a Filipino-American latchkey kid, he was burdened with many expectations but failed multiple times without understanding why his parents were absent for most of his life. He experienced life as a living hell, enduring abuse, both physical and mental, and even being raped. After graduating high school with a 2.0 GPA, his parents told him he “wasn’t going to go anywhere in life,” which caused him to finally explode from everything he had bottled up inside. In an effort to prove his worth and find his way, he joined the United States Marine Corps, but at the age of 19, he had created a plan to take his own life. It was during this dark time that a Navy pastor taught him the power of speaking out about the pain and trauma he had suppressed for so long. Letting it out became a pivotal moment of relief and self-discovery, helping Michaelangelo see himself in a new light. This turning point inspired him to help others who were suffering from similar pain. He began sharing his story on social media, and soon he realized that people related to him and found strength in his openness. Sharing his journey helped them push forward in their own battles with depression. At the age of 20, Michaelangelo conceptualized “Voice of Depression,” an initiative to invite people to share their stories so others could listen, relate, and realize they are not alone. However, it wasn’t until now, through Mayari Coffee, that he took the steps to bring this vision to life. “Voice of Depression” aims to create a safe space where people can share their struggles over a cup of coffee, breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging open conversations instead of bottling up emotions.
In today’s world, our culture isn’t as prominently celebrated as it once was. We wanted to bring more attention to our Filipino heritage by offering coffee beans sourced from various regions across the Philippines. What sets us apart is that every batch of coffee beans is carefully roasted and crafted in-house, ensuring each cup reflects the richness and diversity of our culture. By combining our passion for coffee with a deep respect for our roots, we aim to share a unique experience that honors the Filipino spirit and brings our culture to life with every sip.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Our love story began when I sent Michaelangelo a message on TikTok after seeing a video on my feed that mentioned he was from National City. Our conversation quickly moved to Instagram, and eventually, we exchanged phone numbers so we could text and call each other. From that moment on, we’ve created countless memories together, tied the knot, and welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our lives. He has brought us endless joy while also challenges us to grow as parents.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Chazmine grew up with the mindset that she needed to become a nurse—a typical Filipino stereotype. However, after completing volunteer hours, I realized that nursing wasn’t the right fit. During my college years, she was first introduced to the world of physical therapy when her grandmother needed treatment. This experience sparked my interest, and quickly fell in love with the field, setting my sights on becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). After applying to several DPT programs without success, I discovered an alternative route: Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). After thorough research and careful consideration, I decided to apply to PTA programs, including one in San Diego–a city I had always dreamed of living in. The application process was based on a lottery system that opened only once every two years, so I hoped and prayed that I would get in. Initially eight on the waitlist, I moved up to first and attended orientation, anxiously waiting for a spot to open. Unfortunately, I was left in tears when the student arrived. However, just hours later, I received unexpected news: an acceptance letter into the program. Overjoyed, I’ve embarked on one of the toughest academic journeys I’ve ever experienced. I graduated, passed the California law exam to practice as a PTA, and began preparing for the licensure exam. After several attempts and reaching the maximum number of tries allowed, my PTA career came to an unexpected end. Devastated but determined to find a new path, I turned to my husband for support. Together, we’ve explored career options that aligned with my priorities—especially my desire to stay close to my son. Recognizing my deep love for coffee and culture, my husband suggested starting a coffee cart business. The idea sparked something inside me, combining my passion for coffee and the opportunity to share my heritage. What started as a challenging chapter of uncertainty evolved into a new journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurship. Today, I’m building my dream coffee cart business, bringing Filipino coffee and culture to life. With every cup I serve, I honor my journey, my roots, and my family, proving that even the most difficult setbacks can lead to beautiful new beginnings.
Michaelangelo took a step back from military life after eight years, realizing it wasn’t the right fit for him. He then began searching for his true calling, exploring various options such as Math, Computer Science, Business, Theatre, and eventually, Dance. While he discovered his true passion for dance. However, he always had his biggest dream which is creating a platform for mental health awareness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mayaricoffee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaricoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayaricoffee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayaricoffee
Image Credits
Image credit: Lucky, Jasmine and Michaelangelo