We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Hernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Jennifer, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I struggle with my idea of success daily. As someone with anxiety and major depression that goal is a moving target. That being said there are always a few key themes that stick no matter how I am feeling. A love for what I do, I don’t think I would ever truly accept success if I wasn’t happy doing my job. Another is comfort, I want to be comfortable in my Financials and my business life so say it may not be a perfect day but we are still doing OKAY. And finally one of the most important themes is that I grow and encourage a community of people who want to learn about Cuban culture and other cultures in general.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello! My name is Jennifer Hernandez and I started The Cuban Coffee Break because it is the part of my culture I connect with the most. I grew up not experiencing much of my culture besides the food and coffee. I have always know I wanted to work for myself and it just seemed like the perfect way to do that.
I sell traditional Cuban coffees, pastries, and can do catering of traditional Cuban food if you ask. I try to stay away from added flavors and modifications because I am trying to stay consistent when the traditions. More than just the coffee I am trying to sell a community of people who care and want to learn and participate in other cultures.
As a brand I am so proud of the people I have met with and plan on growing with. As a small woman owned business, supporting other small woman owned businesses is something I really strive to do. I am also very proud of the relationships with consumers I have made so far. That feeling you get when someone who you met somewhere else drives out of there way to see you and get your product just because they know you are going to be there is extraordinary. It is one of the best feeling ever.
I am trying every day to make this business grow and make it everything I hope for. I am currently in the process of figuring out how to bottle my coffees to sell more often to consumers. As well as really trying to focus on creatlng a community by putting on events.
I think the biggest thing I want potential customers to know, is even if you don’t buy from me or if you just want someone to hangout with I am always open and available. We grow together ❤️.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I didn’t. I just signed up for a market one day and decided to wing it. That is how most of my growth has happened. I believe in my product and I am really just trusting others to as well. In the off season of my second year I did do a small Kickstarter to raise the money I needed to buy an espresso machine and get into a commissary but that was mostly my family contributing and saying they believe in me.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new customers for me, is my current customers. Cuban Coffee is very niche and specific. If you don’t know what it is most of the time you just continue to walk by. But I do have some loyal customers who belive in me and try to continually introduce new friends to the brand. This is also my favorite type of growth because I feel it really fosters that community I am striving for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecubancoffeebreak.com/
- Instagram: @thecubancoffeebreak
- Facebook: @thecubancoffeebreak