We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melissa Villanueva a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Have you ever looked on Craigslist for an espresso machine only to buy a coffee shop instead? That is the story of Brewpoint Coffee. Nine years ago, I was working as a recruiter for a finance firm. During my first conversation with my now husband, Angelo, I shared that I was waiting for a sign to leave that job and figure out what my next steps would be. He shared that sometimes the universe is waiting for us to take that leap, so I took that as my sign to quit my job and spend three months in the Philippines to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

While I was in the Philippines, I caught a vision of what owning a coffee shop could be for me. Having worked at Starbucks in high school, I loved the way it could create authentic community because most people incorporate coffee shops as part of their regular routine. It has the ability to truly be a community gathering place where all people could feel welcome. So I came back to the US with this in mind.

That first week back from the Philippines, I looked on Craigslist for an espresso machine only to find this coffee shop instead. There was something about this listing that felt weighty to me. I wasn’t ready to take this leap yet, but something about the listing felt too good to be true. Going to visit it in person only confirmed that feeling, and within a month, Angelo and I moved forward in opening a coffee shop together (we were seven months dating at the time). We had no business plan, borrowed finances from family, and little experience in owning a business; but we were determined to get better every single day.

Fast forward nine years later, and we have four coffee shops and a coffee manufacturing business. I am also the co-author of the book Starting & Running a Coffee Shop. The work we do focuses on building a more inclusive and equitable world through our business eco-system. Not only that, but Angelo and I got married four months into owning Brewpoint and continue to love working together!

Melissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My love for coffee and the coffee shop environment started when I was in high school. I found myself captivated by the intricacies of the coffee industry, from the cultivation and sourcing of beans to the art of brewing and serving a perfect cup of coffee. I saw an opportunity to use the specialty coffee environment to be a platform for local community building and provide an experience that went beyond just a caffeine fix.

In terms of our products and services, Brewpoint offers a range of handcrafted coffee beverages, from traditional favorites like espresso-based drinks to unique creations that showcase our baristas’ creativity. We strive to provide an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, whether they’re coffee aficionados or simply looking for a cozy atmosphere to relax and connect with others.

One of the key problems we solve for our clients is elevating their coffee experience. We believe that every cup of coffee should be an adventure, a sensory journey that delights and invigorates. We go beyond serving coffee; we provide an immersive experience that encompasses the sights, sounds, and aromas of our cafes. We also offer educational workshops and events to help coffee lovers deepen their understanding of the craft.

What sets Brewpoint apart is our commitment to community building. We view coffee as a catalyst for connection, and we actively foster a sense of belonging and togetherness. Our cafes serve as hubs where people can engage in meaningful conversations, build relationships, and support local initiatives. We collaborate with local artists, host small business pop ups, diverse entrepreneurial events, and partner with community organizations to create a positive impact.

I am incredibly proud of the community we have built around Brewpoint. We have created a space where people from all walks of life feel heard, valued, and supported. Seeing our customers connect, engage, and form relationships over a shared love for coffee is truly gratifying.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that Brewpoint is more than just a coffee company. We are a community-driven brand that values authenticity, inclusivity, and sustainability. We believe in using our platform to make a difference, both locally and globally. When you choose Brewpoint, you’re not only getting a delicious cup of coffee; you’re joining a movement that seeks to create a better world—one sip at a time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The pandemic was a universally tough experience. Brewpoint had three cafes at the time, and the day we went into lockdown, my leadership team hopped on Zoom and we worked together to figure out what the balance would be between health/safety and give our team/business financial stability. We decided to condense our operations into one location, and operate solely out of a window.

We were closed for only one day as we converted to online ordering and window pick up. We were the only cafe open for the next three months and had upwards of 100 drinks in line at any given time. This gave us the ability to work with our team and not let go of anyone. Our team divided their hours based on financial need and we were able to make it sustainably work for our team and community during an incredibly unstable time.

We spoke about our decisions vulnerably and transparently; and both our team and our community felt a sense of connection during this trying time. I am very proud of how we were able to operate and the grants from the government helped ensure we could continually. prioritize our people above all else.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Angelo is my co-founder/husband/biggest supporter. Here is our absurd relationship timeline: -November 2013: we met
-January 2014: started dating
-August 2014: bought the coffee shop
-November 2014: got engaged
-February 2015: got married

We met a local church I was visiting, I some times think we are luckiest people because we barely knew each other when we jumped into EVERYTHING together. From the moment of our first date, I knew that we connected in such a special way. For myself, I was looking for someone who I could truly partner in life to make the world better in any ways we could, and Angelo truly has been the perfect partner for me in that. Whether it is in work or life, our dynamic ground us so we can flourish in our strengths.

Contact Info:

• Website: brewpointcoffee.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/brewpointcoffee
• Facebook: facebook.com/brewpointcoffee
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/brewpoint-coffee
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brewpoint-coffee-elmhurst-6