Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Ford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission to provide an experience and not just a cup of coffee to our customers. Coffee shops give a relaxing and fun vibe where people can gather with friends or sometimes alone

Stephanie, 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?

Our business started because of my love for coffee shops. Not only my love for coffee shops but the belief that dreams never truly die. About 20 years ago I started drinking and became “addicted “ to coffee. Starbucks specifically. I eventually moved on to like other brands. My classmates in my spin class nicknamed me Starbucks because I always showed up with a cup of coffee before class. I loved the atmosphere and experience that small, quaint coffee shops provided. For the past 20 years my dream was to open a coffee shop. In 2016 while sitting at my old “favorite” coffee shop, I came up with the name and saved it on my phone. My friends and co-workers alike knew of my dream. I never wrote out a plan but knew that one day it would happen.

I worked as a legal assistant at various law firms for 30 years. I knew when I started at 18 that I did not want to be there at the “standard” retirement age of 65. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I also believe in taking risks and If don’t know how to do something I will try to figure it out.

In 2017, the executive team at the firm where I worked called an emergency meeting. At this meeting we were told that there would be an opportunity to take a voluntary layoff. I had just made the cut off for years of service which was 10 years. When I think back now it seems a little crazy. My first thought was to open a coffee shop. Of course my co-workers thought I was a little crazy. I reached out to a friend who was planning to retire (due to years of service) and was looking for something to do. She was excited and instantly wanted to come on board. We put our heads together, did some research, some planning and a ton of driving around neighborhoods. Learning how to run a business, finding the perfect location, hiring contractors, and applying for the necessary permits was totally out of the realm of work that was familiar to us. But we figured it out. On October 7, 2019 Coffee Cream & Dreams opened its doors for the first time. Five months later COVID hit and we were required to close down. My initial thought was one of devastation. We were open for only 5 months. With some quick thinking by way of setting up online ordering (which we didn’t have previously), we deemed ourselves essential and reopened the following Monday.

The customers and community are the real reason we were able to get through one of the worst times in history for a new business. We are so grateful for the continued support. We are continually pivoting and figuring out innovative ways to operate a successful business. We are happy to have been able to build a rapport with our customers. We know them by name, or by the drink that they like. Although we don’t allow pets in, we offer treats for the dogs and have adopted them as our own. The customers literally bring them by to see us.

We like to think that Coffee Cream & Dreams is what happens to a dream deferred. We also believe and know that if you believe in your dream it eventually will come to fruition.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I actually answered this question above.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

I met my business partner through Black Girls Run. In 2013 we were both involved and running races together. Sonja was also very supportive of the work I was doing for my non profit. Through various conversations, I learned that she was planning to retire due to years of service. When the opportunity arose to open a coffee shop, I immediately thought of her. She was instantly on board.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coffeecreamanddreams.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/coffeecreamanddreams/
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/coffeecreamanddreams/
• Yelp: Coffee Cream and Dreams