We recently connected with Grettel Cruz and have shared our conversation below.

Grettel , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

As a Latina(CostaRican) woman owning a business in USA, I wanted to make that I would represent my community with my company name. I just needed to make sure it would not be imposible to pronounce. I chose Flor de Café that translates Coffee Flower. Coffee trees need to bloom their flowers to begin their season.
I don’t think that people out of the coffee belt region know that a gorgeous white flower that smells like Jazmin is the beginning of coffee. Nothing more beautiful than seeing the coffee fields bloomed. It was so normal to experience their blooming every year while living in Costa Rica.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Costarican born and raise woman currently living in Amesbury MA. I study coffee in Costa Rica in order to work in the industry in USA.
Initially, I was just looking for jobs opportunities. But coffee is a fascinating industry. Once you deep your noise in you want to be part of it.
After working for a couple of Cafes in the area, I decided to open a coffee cart to provide Barista service in public or private events. I was looking to provide a cafe experience where needed.
I have learnt a lot in the last years on how to caterer small and big events.
My biggest event has been serving coffee for 800 people at The Broad Institute in Cambridge. I am so proud of the job we did in that event. Needles to said I had a great team helping me out. It was a lot of work.
My favorite jobs are catering events in schools. Teachers are always so grateful and I think they need the caffeine the most.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My first year 2019 was a try out. I was trying every single activity that would put my name out there. It was exhausting and it was not a great profit year. I knew the next year was going to be better. Then 2020 Covid hit the world and it crushed many business.
I was considering if I should just find a job somewhere and forget about Flor de Café. My husband who is also a business owner encouraged me to keep on with the business.
That year, I begun non contact coffee deliveries. I made a menu with 32oz iced drinks (coffee and tea) and I offered free delivery in the area.
That idea saved me from quitting and I survived during Covid.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The specialty coffee teach you how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. But they also teach how to drink it. To be honest, their way is pretty narrow. I needed to unlearn the “perfect” way of drinking coffee. I become more open costumers preferences. I now create special monthly drinks base on their request and likes.
I make sure to have flavors that people enjoy. I brew hot coffee and cold brew with notes that New Englanders will appreciate.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.flordecafecoffee.com
• Instagram: Flordecafecoffee
• Facebook: Flordecafecoffee

Image Credits
Abigail Jean Connor