Makers & Shakers: The Cuban Coffee Break

The Cuban Coffee Break

Woman-Owned Business
Minority - Owned Business

Instagram: @thecubancoffeebreak

Website: www.thecubancoffeebreak.com

Current Gum Pop Presents Events: Holiday BAZAAR, Valentine’s BAZAAR, Fall BAZAAR and People & Produce

Location: Denver, CO

“My business name comes from the break Cubans will take during the day to stop and enjoy their lives. I want my customers to relax and take a break from their every day lives.”

Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?

My name is Jennifer Hernandez and I started The Cuban Coffee Break because it is the part of my culture I connect with the most. I grew up not experiencing much of my culture besides the food and coffee. I have always know I wanted to work for myself and it just seemed like the perfect way to do that.

I sell traditional Cuban coffees, pastries, and can do catering of traditional Cuban food if you ask. I try to stay away from added flavors and modifications because I am trying to stay consistent when the traditions. More than just the coffee I am trying to sell a community of people who care and want to learn and participate in other cultures.

As a brand I am so proud of the people I have met with and plan on growing with. As a small woman owned business, supporting other small woman owned businesses is something I really strive to do. I am also very proud of the relationships with consumers I have made so far. That feeling you get when someone who you met somewhere else drives out of there way to see you and get your product just because they know you are going to be there is extraordinary. It is one of the best feeling ever.

How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.

A cross between amking coffee growing up for my family and working at a Cuban restaurant where I really honed my skill. My manager and the other employees would have me make their coffees because they liked the way I made it better.

Where does the name of your business come from?

My name comes from the break Cubans will take during the day to stop and enjoy their lives. I want my customers to relax and take a break from their every day lives.

How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?

Setup at markets take about half an hour and from there the coffees take 5 minutes maximum.

How did you get the capital to fund your business?

I didn't. I just signed up for a market one day and decided to wing it. That is how most of my growth has happened. I believe in my product and I am really just trusting others to as well. In the off season of my second year I did do a small Kickstarter to raise the money I needed to buy an espresso machine and get into a commissary but that was mostly my family contributing and saying they believe in me

Where does your inspiration come from?

My culture. Trying to connect to the parts of my culture that I missed growing up.

What three words would you use to describe your product/service?

Delicious, Simple & Effective

What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?

Coffee. All of them I don't have a favorite.

What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?

Are you actually Cuban? What makes Cuban Coffee so different?

What is your favorite Gum Pop Presents event?

It is a toss up between the Downtown Lakewood Holiday Markets and the Fall bazaar at Platte Park.

What is the best source of new customers?

The best source of new customers for me, is my current customers. Cuban Coffee is very niche and specific. If you don't know what it is most of the time you just continue to walk by. But I do have some loyal customers who believe in me and try to continually introduce new friends to the brand. This is also my favorite type of growth because I feel it really fosters that community I am striving for.

“My favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado is how open people are to trying and experiencing something new.”

What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?

That yes, I am actually Cuban. Despite not having a Cuban name or speaking Spanish.

What is your favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado?

My favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado is how open people are to trying and experiencing something new.

If you had one extra hour of free time every day, how would you use it?

Take my dog to the dog park. Its one of my favorite places to decompress and relax.

What’s next for your business?

I am in the process of learning how to bottle my coffees to share more frequently with my customers. I am also trying to figure out next steps of either a brick and mortar or a truck.