We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Herrick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Samantha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I went to college for healthcare, but I’ve always been enthralled with creative outlets: music (I love playing piano and violin), art, reading/writing. I took barista classes in college and fell in love with all things mixology, and coffee. There was something truly humbling about connecting with people, and meeting individuals in all walks of life. Ultimately, I fell in love with the culture.

Healthcare is such a different breed. It’s a different kind of hustle, one that’s left me feeling bereft. As I’ve progressed in my career as a Speech-language pathologist, I found myself searching for ways to be creative. There had to be a way to turn my “hobbies” into a career, right?

Not all things have been terrible, though, I promise. My healthcare journey has provided me with excellent opportunities to meet and work with such amazing individuals who are brilliant- they just learn differently. I’ve spent the majority of my career working with special needs, them teaching me more than I could ever teach them.

So, as I became a mom of two under two, I realized I wanted to do more. I wanted to combine my worlds: the world of healthcare and my barista roots. Furthermore, I wanted to leave something for my children if they ever felt compelled to explore this as a career. My daughter loved baking with me when we were home-bound during the height of COVID. She was obsessed with blueberries: “il Mirtillo” means blueberry in Italian. My family in Italy and I are very close, whenever we can visit, we try to. I have relatives there who have had their own mobile businesses in the past.

When I started planning, I realized that a food truck would be too much: too much work, too much time, too much of an Initial investment. Where I am in North Jersey, I was met with a lot of restrictions. So I thought of a mobile coffee cart. This would still let me be mobile and see different parts of NJ, PA, NY, and I could take all of my supplies with me.

With my mobile cart I could go literally anywhere, I didn’t require a million permits, and I could keep all of my supplies with me at home. Huge money saver. With less of an initial investment, I am hoping that maybe one day I can expand to a brick and mortar, or invest in more carts.

But at the root of all of this, was my desire to create jobs and job training opportunities for individuals with special needs. As I continue to scale, I’d love to either open a cafe, or expand to where I can hire more people. In the process, I hope to send a message that different learning styles, personalities, etc is nothing to be nervous about.

I’ve spent so much time with children from birth to adolescence. Learning with them, growing together, hearing their families concerns, mourning and celebrating with them. And I always hear the same thing: what happens next? I would be honored if I could help create an opportunity that could continue a persons journey towards independence.

I have just celebrated my first year as a mobile barista, and I am loving every minute of this next chapter. I love how serving someone their favorite drink can turn their day around. I love that I can experiment with different homemade syrups and flavor combinations. I love the art of making espresso, meeting roasters, learning new skills. The simple motor planning of making espresso brings me peace. And in a world so chaotic and hectic, it’s always nice to find your peace.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

One of the biggest reasons why I named my company “il Mirtillo Cafe” and not “il Mirtillo Coffee Cart”, was because I am not just coffee. I offer a very wide variety of beverages. The other reason is because my three-year-old daughter, at the time, was obsessed with blueberries. “il Mirtillo” means “the blueberry” in Italian.

By having an expansive menu, I am able to cater to so many more people and attend more events. Coming from a family of food allergies and restrictions, I know first hand how it feels to attend a party or event and not be able to enjoy many of the treats. Therefore, I wanted to reflect that in my business.

Don’t enjoy or react well to coffee? I have a very diverse selection of teas and lattes: beetroot, matcha, chai, herbal teas, tonics, and lemonades. It brings me pleasure knowing that there is something for everyone at an event. Can’t tolerate diary? I always make sure to have diary-alternative options. Hosting a women’s event where the focus is on womb care and lactation? I work with herbalists in the area to curate a menu of organic teas to help aid in fertility and menstruation. Having a backyard party with your girlfriends? We can design a menu of fun tonics and espresso martinis to keep you up all night long.

Another passion of mine involves creating organic and healthier flavorings. Most of my syrups are homemade, and I love experimenting with recipes that are more natural and sugar-free. For example, when my lavender is in bloom, I love creating a homemade lavender simple syrup. I’ve also enjoyed making: turmeric, earl grey, rosemary, thyme, orange cardamom, strawberry rhubarb, and rose, just to name a few. These can be made either as infused honeys or as simple syrups.

When you’re planning an event and you want to provide an experience, our cart is the extra touch to create not only a talking point, but a memory as well.

Another passion of mine is designing and decor. I love the personalization features on my cart. If I have a theme, name, quote, logo, etc., I can take that and place it on the front signage of my cart, make cute stickers for cups, and latte art stencils. It’s such a special touch. I mean who doesn’t love seeing their name or logo on top of their frothed milk or cold foam?

I’ve had corporate events where employees thought that my cart was part of their company. Having my cart completely represent a company, party vision, or theme brings that experience to the next level, in my opinion. People work so hard to plan an event or party, employee appreciation, or special occasion; therefore, I want my services to reflect that on the highest level.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Originally, when beginning my studies, I had gone to school for nursing. I completed a little over two years before my school had lost its accreditation and I had to seek a different program. This resulted in my coming home (I went out of state for school). By coming home, I had to return to an unstable environment, a toxic environment, which was one of the reasons why I had wanted to go out of state.

However, through a series of unfortunate events, I wound up at my Nonna’s house where I studied at a nearby community college. In doing so, I was able to care for her during her battle with cancer.

The next couple of years consisted of: attending classes, taking her to radiation and chemo, and working. I learned that everyone is battling something. I learned what it felt to be relied on. I learned how to mourn, and how to celebrate, life.

I was unable to complete a nursing program, due to the majority of my credits being from a discredited university program, so I switched my career focus to Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), a career I knew nothing about. It was my first lesson in pivoting. I was encouraged by the medical component of the field. I had originally thought SLP’s just fixed lisps or stuttering. I had no idea they were involved in other crucial roles, especially in hospitals. My training as a medical SLP helped my Nonna during her final months, when she was having difficulties with feeding and swallowing.

I also learned a lot about cognition, psychology, mental health and most importantly empathy. When you are helping someone find their voice, you have to embrace the art of losing yourself. Your focus is on the other person, and how they are able to express themselves. Societal norms, what is “normal” or “typical” no longer exist. When you are truly able to hear someone, even without the use of words, you are given a gift.

I grew up in a home with major conflict and struggle. Alcohol dependency, mental health disorders, and narcissism. That environment did not foster a world where I could have a voice and feelings of my own, which is why I am so passionate about providing that for my patients, and the clients I meet as a barista.

Currently, I am finding my way again. I am embracing this new role, my biggest role ever: being a mom. I’m also learning how to be a working mom of two, a therapist, and now back to my barista roots. I’m learning how to own my own business, while finding ways to help my community and increase inclusion. I never thought I would be able to combine speech therapy and mobile coffee, but here we are. The pieces fall into place every day. Each new relationship that I make finds new ways of bringing this dream to life for myself and others.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was told that I would never make any money as a creative. My passions for music, coffee, and writing would never actually pay the bills. It wouldn’t make me a millionaire. You have to get a degree to be successful in life.

All of this is complete bullshit. I suppressed all of my talents and the things that made me thrive. I sought out what was considered a “respectable” and “stable” career: healthcare. And though I value my knowledge and experience in the field (I’ve been practicing for eight years), I find that I am coming back to what makes me “me”. As hard as I try to continue down this path I’ve worked so hard to achieve, I find myself seeking out my “hobbies” instead. And I’m realizing they are way more than that.

I am re-learning who I am, and setting the example for my children that they can be whatever they want. And that even if they pick something and work at it for years, they can still decide to change and become something else. Learning new skills is always important. Take the leap, embrace your passions, no matter how “small” people try to make you think they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ilmirtillocafe.wixsite.com/il-mirtillo-cafe
• Instagram: @il_mirtillo_cafe

Image Credits

Jennifer Miriam Photography