Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Omari Clay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Omari , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Thank you for the opportunity to share our story. At Connie’s Coffee, our mission is to create spaces and experiences where people feel seen, supported, and inspired — using specialty coffee as the connector. This mission is deeply personal.
I named the company after my grandmother, Connie, who was a high school teacher and a safe haven for underserved students in Chicago’s South Side. She modeled grace, resilience, and the power of small, consistent acts of care. Her legacy taught me that impact doesn’t always come from grand gestures — sometimes it’s just showing up with warmth and intention, day after day.
Connie’s Coffee is my way of carrying that legacy forward. We use coffee as a tool for micro-moments of connection, cultural exchange, and uplift — particularly in communities that don’t always get to experience the specialty coffee world. That’s why this mission isn’t just meaningful — it’s personal.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Omari Clay, and I’m the founder of Connie’s Coffee — a South Side Chicago-born specialty coffee brand rooted in legacy, community, and cultural connection. I started this journey with just $200 and a desire to build something that could serve more than just coffee.
Connie’s Coffee was inspired by my late grandmother, Constance — a high school teacher & environmentalist who created safe spaces for underserved youth in our community. She wasn’t just an educator; she was a quiet force for good. Watching the way she showed up for others shaped how I approach business, relationships, and impact. I built this brand in her honor — as a tribute to her grace, strength, and ability to uplift people in ways that weren’t always loud, but were always lasting.
We provide specialty coffee experiences through mobile cold brew + draft latte carts, retail collaborations, and community-centered pop-ups. Whether we’re serving at a corporate campus, cultural event, or neighborhood block party, the goal is the same: to make people feel seen — through intentional service, quality ingredients, and soul-filled storytelling.
What sets Connie’s Coffee apart is our ability to blend premium, third-wave coffee with culture, hospitality, and accessibility. We’re not just serving a product — we’re sharing a feeling. From custom syrups inspired by childhood memories to drinks that reflect the rhythm of the South Side, everything we create is meant to move people.
I’m most proud of the fact that this brand has grown without losing its heart. From brewing in a home kitchen to partnering with major brands and serving hundreds in a matter of hours — we’ve stayed grounded in our purpose.
What I want potential clients and followers to know is that Connie’s Coffee isn’t just a business — it’s a movement. One cup, one connection, one community at a time.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When I started Connie’s Coffee, I didn’t have investors, a business loan, or a big savings account. I had $200, a chemex/kettle, and a vision that wouldn’t let me sleep.
The most important part? I just started.
I scraped together what I could — saying no to things I used to say yes to. I didn’t wait until the timing was perfect or until I had a five-figure budget. I started with what I had and built from there.
I tested recipes in my kitchen. I served friends and neighbors to get feedback. I reinvested every dollar I made from early pop-ups and events. And I kept showing up — even when the setup was janky, even when I was the only one running the show, and even when I had no clue how it would all come together.
Every cart, piece of equipment, and opportunity that followed came from momentum. Not money. And that’s what I try to tell other aspiring founders — don’t wait on perfect conditions. Start small, stay consistent, and let the mission grow louder than your fear.
Connie’s Coffee was born not from excess, but from belief — and that’s what makes it real
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Social media played a crucial role in the early stages of building my business. With limited resources and no formal marketing budget, I relied heavily on digital platforms to share the story, mission, and heart behind Connie’s Coffee. It became a space not only to promote our offerings but to build genuine connection and community.
Staying true to the grassroots nature of how this business began is deeply important to me. That’s why I continue to share my journey openly — with the same people who supported me from day one, and with new supporters who align with our mission today.
While I now create budgets for more structured marketing efforts, I still embrace the unorthodox, resourceful methods that helped lay the foundation. Sometimes, the simplest tools — used with intention — are the most powerful. What once was a necessity has become part of our identity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Conniescoffee.com
- Instagram: conniescoffee312
