We recently connected with Katie Matheny and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

One of the most exciting trends we’re seeing in the coffee industry is the use of customized coffee experiences as a powerful branding and marketing tool. More brands are realizing that coffee can do more than caffeinate—it can connect, engage, and build loyalty. At Intentional Espresso, we’re leading the way by turning coffee into a brand touchpoint that leaves a lasting impression.

A perfect example is a recent collaboration with an electrical supply company that wanted to create a more welcoming, memorable experience for their customers. Through our white-label coffee service, we became an extension of their brand, providing complimentary coffee to their contractors and vendors across multiple locations, 5-days a week.

One customer, a regular who stopped in weekly for supplies, was initially skeptical of the free coffee—he was there for business, not a latte. But over time, something changed. The barista started recognizing him, greeting him by name, and having his favorite drink ready before he even ordered. As we crossed paths with him at various locations, his interactions with our team became a highlight of his visits.

The shift was subtle but powerful. He wasn’t just a customer buying electrical supplies anymore—he was a guest who felt known, valued, and appreciated. And while it was our coffee, it was the company’s brand that he credited for the experience. The loyalty he developed wasn’t just with us—it was with them.

This is the power of branded coffee experiences: they turn everyday transactions into meaningful touchpoints. It’s not about the coffee itself; it’s about what the coffee represents—hospitality, recognition, and care. And in an age where experiences often drive loyalty more than products, this kind of brand alignment is priceless.

Beyond in-person interactions, branded coffee experiences have enormous potential for social reach. With tools like our latte printer, we help brands extend their visibility through highly shareable, customized moments. Guests snap photos of their branded lattes, post them on social media, and organically amplify the brand’s presence far beyond the event. It’s experiential marketing with a lasting digital footprint.

The biggest opportunity we see in this trend is its versatility. From product launches to VIP experiences to pop-ups, branded coffee activations create memorable, shareable, and meaningful moments. But the key is intentionality. Experiences that are genuine and personalized—not gimmicky—are what build true brand loyalty.

At Intentional Espresso, we believe coffee can be more than a beverage. It can be a brand asset—one that creates joy in the moment and loyalty that lasts long after the cup is empty.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

***Meet Katie & Randy from Intentional Espresso: Crafting Experiences, Building Brands—One Cup at a Time***
Our journey with Intentional Espresso began with a shared love for coffee, creativity, and connection. My husband Randy and I both worked in coffee during college—Randy, especially, became fascinated by the science of coffee: from supply chains and roasting to cupping and flavor profiling. With entrepreneurial hearts, we dreamed of building something together, and the idea for mobile coffee catering sparked in 2016—on a road trip with our infant daughter.

Two conversations lit the path to what would become Intentional Espresso. A friend who modeled for The Big Fake Wedding in Portland shared how, after a night of cocktails, what they really craved was a quality cup of coffee. “If there are bartenders,” they wondered, “why can’t there be coffee bartenders?”

Simultaneously, another friend, a medical sales rep, told us how he hired coffee carts to cater offices—only to find the coffee was mediocre and the experience lackluster. That got us thinking: What if we married our passion for coffee with my background in event planning to create something memorable, polished, and high-quality?

Intentional Espresso was born.

But the true evolution of our brand came during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, most of our work centered around client and employee appreciation events. When those budgets disappeared, marketing budgets remained. One trade show client asked if we could wrap our cart with their branding. We hesitated at first—after all, wasn’t our brand what mattered? But then it hit us: Our brand isn’t our logo. Our brand is how well we represent our client’s brand. That moment transformed our business.

Now, blending coffee with branding is at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s through fully wrapped coffee carts, branded cups, or beautiful latte art, we don’t just serve coffee—we serve an experience that amplifies our clients’ brands and values.

***What We Offer: Custom, Branded Coffee Experiences***
At Intentional Espresso, we elevate event experiences through custom (white-labeled) coffee catering. We partner with:

Corporate Clients for brand activations, trade shows, product launches, and employee appreciation events
Marketing Teams looking to extend their reach through shareable, social-media-worthy experiences
Event Planners hosting everything from extravagant weddings to intimate showers and private parties
We’re more than just a coffee bar; we’re a brand experience. Clients can customize every detail—from branded cup stickers and cart wraps to personalized latte art with their logo. We help our clients think outside the box, merging creativity with caffeine to craft memorable moments that guests can’t wait to share online.

***What Sets Us Apart: Systems, Speed, and Seamless Branding***
Our approach to coffee catering is rooted in precision and polish, thanks to Randy’s systems-oriented mindset. Everything has a place, a process, and a purpose—ensuring we never lose supplies, forget equipment, or fall behind. Here’s how we stand out:

Efficiency & Speed: We can serve up to 75 double-shot drinks per hour per bar and scale seamlessly with multiple bars to manage large crowds.
Quality First: We use top-tier equipment and ingredients, never cutting corners on quality. From properly rinsing pitchers between drinks to keeping perishables cold and organized, we follow the highest service standards.
Fully Customizable Experiences: Clients can brand every detail—from cups and sleeves to carts and latte art—making coffee a fully immersive brand activation.

***A Story of Impact: Turning Coffee into Loyalty***
Our branded coffee experiences don’t just make impressions—they build relationships.

Take, for example, our work with an electrical supply company. One of their regular customers—a contractor—was initially skeptical of the free coffee offered during his weekly visits. To him, it felt like just another corporate perk. But over time, everything changed. Our barista got to know him, remembered his order, and always had his drink ready. As we served at multiple locations, he experienced that same thoughtful service again and again. Suddenly, he wasn’t just buying supplies—he felt valued by the brand itself. That personal touch turned him from a regular into a loyal advocate for the company.

This is the power of intentional coffee experiences: They make people feel seen, valued, and connected—to both the moment and the brand.

***Proud Moments: From Formula E to First Sips of Bliss***
We’ve been fortunate to create unforgettable experiences for clients both local and global. One standout achievement was catering for Formula E during their recent event in Portland—serving 900 people daily for an entire week. With wrapped carts, branded cups, and beautifully hand-poured latte art, we brought their brand to life—one espresso at a time. Despite non-stop lines, we operated efficiently, and their team told us it was the best coffee experience they’d had at any race—even in Italy.

But honestly, the greatest achievements are often the simplest moments. When a guest takes that first sip, pauses, and a look of bliss crosses their face—that’s when we know we’ve succeeded. Because that moment of joy? That’s now part of their memory with the brand we’re representing.

***Why We Do What We Do***
I (Katie) bring a background in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and event planning—experiences that taught me how to craft meaningful moments and purposeful experiences. I handle sales and client experience, working behind the scenes to plan every detail with our clients. What I love most is ideating with brands to bring their vision to life—whether it’s a massive activation or a small, intimate event.

Randy, with his deep technical coffee expertise and operations mindset, leads our systems and ensures everything runs smoothly—down to the last drop.

Together, we believe that coffee isn’t just a beverage—it’s an opportunity to create meaningful connections between brands and their audiences.

***What We Want You to Know***
We’re Your Brand’s Biggest Advocate: Our job isn’t to spotlight us—it’s to spotlight you.
Our Goal is to Make You the Hero: We want the person who hired us to be the one receiving the “Wow, well done!” from their boss or their guests. When you get the pat on the back for a flawless experience, we know we’ve succeeded.
We Make It Easy: From quick setup and efficient service to seamless branding, we handle every detail.
We Create Moments Worth Sharing: Your brand will be in every photo, every sip, and every social post.
Whether it’s an elegant wedding or a bustling trade show booth, we turn coffee into an experience—memorable, meaningful, and unmistakably yours.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building our reputation in the market has been the result of a relentless commitment to professionalism, quality, and exceptional service. From day one, we knew that success wasn’t just about making great coffee—it was about how we showed up, how we worked with our clients, and how we represented their brands.

Several key values and strategies have helped us earn the trust of our clients and build a strong reputation:

Investing in Relationships & Community: Early on, we recognized that success in this industry isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know and how you show up for them. We made it a priority to network and build genuine connections within both the coffee and events communities. These relationships—whether with event planners, vendors, or fellow business owners—have paid dividends, leading to referrals, collaborations, and a strong support system that continues to open doors for us.

Professionalism & Reliability: We show up on time, fully prepared, and ready to serve. Our systems are dialed in, which means smooth service from start to finish. Clients know they can depend on us to deliver exactly what we’ve promised—every time.

Clean, Organized, and Efficient: Thanks to our systems-oriented approach, everything has a place. Our setups are polished and professional, and our speed of service is unmatched—we can easily serve 75 double-shot drinks per hour per bar without compromising quality.

Clear Communication & Seamless Collaboration: We believe the planning process should be as smooth as the coffee we serve. We’re responsive, transparent, and easy to work with—always collaborating closely with clients to bring their vision to life without added stress.

Skilled Baristas, Quality Products: We pride ourselves on using top-tier equipment, high-quality ingredients, and expertly trained baristas. It’s not just about speed—it’s about serving coffee that guests genuinely love.

Aesthetic Presentation: We know that first impressions matter. Our carts, bars, and setups are designed to be visually stunning and on-brand. Whether it’s a sleek, modern design or a fully wrapped branded experience, we create setups that are as beautiful as they are functional.

Ultimately, we believe our reputation has been built on a foundation of consistency and care—both in our service and in our relationships. Whether we’re serving at an intimate gathering or a large-scale corporate activation, we bring the same level of excellence, energy, and intentionality.

For us, the greatest testament to our reputation is when a client says,
“You made this so easy—and the coffee was incredible.”

Because that’s what it’s all about: great coffee, great service, and a strong community behind us.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing our clientele has been about more than just marketing—it’s been about connection, clarity, and consistency. Three key strategies have been instrumental in helping us build lasting client relationships and attract the right-fit opportunities:

1. Prioritizing Personal Connection Over Quick Quotes
We make it a priority to respond to leads quickly—often within the hour if possible. While it might seem easiest to simply send off a quote based on headcount and timing, we know that what clients really need is a partner who listens, understands their vision, and helps them create an unforgettable experience.

That’s why we pick up the phone. A quick conversation allows us to:

Understand their needs beyond the numbers—because coffee service isn’t just a line item, it’s part of their story.
Share how we can help them meet their goals and, most importantly, how we’ll help them be the hero of their event.
Offer tailored suggestions that may elevate their event beyond what they initially imagined.
This personal approach has earned us more than bookings—it’s earned us relationships, repeat clients, and referrals.

2. Building Through Networking & Industry Relationships
From day one, we’ve believed in the power of community. Networking—both within the coffee industry and the events world—has been invaluable for growing our business. We’ve built genuine relationships with event planners, vendors, and other business owners who not only refer us but also trust us to represent them well.

These connections often become long-term partnerships, and they’ve introduced us to clients we may never have reached otherwise. Our approach to networking is simple:

Show up and serve well: People remember how you made them feel.
Support others: We love making referrals and collaborating.
Stay connected: Because relationships, not transactions, drive lasting growth.
3. Staying True to Our Value & Finding the Right-Fit Clients
We’ve learned that growth isn’t just about saying yes—it’s about saying yes to the right opportunities. We never compromise on what matters most: exceptional service, premium quality, and a polished, professional experience.

Because of this, we may not always be the lowest-cost option—and that’s okay. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’ve found that the clearer we are about who we serve best, the more the right-fit clients seem to find us.

This clarity means:

We partner with clients who value quality and are looking for more than just “coffee service”—they’re looking for an experience.
We build long-term relationships with brands and planners who come back to us because they know we’ll deliver every time.
We maintain our standards—because cutting corners to compete on price would only compromise what makes us special.
The Result? Long-Term Growth Through Relationships & Reputation
Our most effective growth strategy isn’t a secret—it’s a commitment to:
+Listening to clients, not just quoting them
+Building relationships, not just contacts
+Staying true to our values, not chasing every opportunity

This approach has turned first-time clients into repeat clients, referrals into partnerships, and a small idea into a thriving business that we’re proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intentionalespresso.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentional_espresso/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intentionalespresso
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-espresso-co/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/intentional-espresso-company-beaverton-2

Image Credits

Jenny Kang, My Everlasting Images, Fior Design, Trellis Creative Company