Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Rodriguez.
Hi Brenda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi! I am Brenda Rodriguez, Owner/Founder of Cafe Latina LLC. I have a love for coffee and Latin culture. Growing up my grandmother introduced the Cafe de Olla coffee and how she made it in a ceramic pot with different spices, was not only delicious but inspiring as she took the time to perfect the making of her coffee within her flavors. I decided to add Cafe de Olla to my line of coffee adding the flavors as a reminder of my favorite coffee. I later realized Latin-inspired flavored brews were lacking in the market, even in South Texas. Cafe Latina was born from the desire to share my favorite pastime with Latin and Hispanic American flavors that can be found throughout culture.
We are now partnered with Walgreens Pharmacy in Texas and looking to add our line of products with upcoming retail chains in 2024.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Most start-ups operate on small budgets, as I had to do the same starting up. I have had to wear many hats, from marketing our products to posting on social media working 12-hour days and weekends. As a single mom, it’s been a challenge to also work a full-time job and manage a small business. However, I do have the drive for success and I love what I do. It’s having to overcome them and keep going. My father once said, “It doesn’t matter how long it takes; it’s getting to the finish line.” It’s not easy owning a company. Starting a business is one of the most exciting and rewarding endeavors that an individual can embark on. It can also be one of the most challenging and overwhelming experiences. Starting a business requires a lot of planning, hard work, and dedication. It also involves taking risks, making difficult decisions, and dealing with financial issues. A quote I always go by is “Business is always a struggle. There will always be obstacles and competitors. Every great success has always been achieved by fight. Every winner has scars”. The women and men who succeed are the efficient few. They are the few who have the ambition and willpower to develop themselves. So, choose to be among the few.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Cafe Latina began with a family tradition of sampling coffees in Texas shops with my father. We love coffee! Especially tasting all types of coffee and different origins of coffee. I quickly realized Latin-inspired flavored brews were lacking in the market, even in South Texas. Thus, Cafe Latina was born from the desire to share my favorite pastime with Latin and Hispanic American flavors that can be found throughout the culture. I call this the newest coffee culture. Latin Inspired Flavored Coffee. I am native to Corpus Christi and fondly recall tasting coffees from origins such as Mexican Chiapas, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. I have researched and found there was an unfilled niche for Latin-inspired coffee flavors in Texas. You can find our coffee products now in participating Walgreens Pharmacies throughout Texas. We are looking to partner with new upcoming large retail chains in 2024.
Cafe Latina offers eight flavors: Cafe de Olla, Pan de Polvo, Mexican Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Cinnamon Churro, Texas Rum (non-alcoholic), La Gran Fiesta, and Pumpkin Empanada. We sell them in 12 oz bags, we have two flavors in K-cups in Cinnamon Churro and Pumpkin empanada, and hope to expand the K-cup line in the future. We also offer our variety sample gift packs for those looking to sample all eight flavors or looking for gift ideas. Customers love our new brand of coffee!
You can find our Latin Flavored Coffee online at www.cafelatina.net, at Walgreens Pharmacy in Texas, and during the holiday events held in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas, Texas.
Cafe Latina started in 2020 and is growing strong. Please visit our website to view all flavors we offer and a brief history of our line of coffee.
If you would like to partner with Cafe Latina adding our product line to your retail store, please email me at: info@cafelatina.net.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Defining my success is knowing when I reach my aim. My self-confidence, the ability to feel proud of my choices, and the ability of overcoming my challenges. I am excited about how far I have come. It has been a long journey, but I’m still moving forward. Owning my company has been my dream for many years. Cafe Latina is the new Coffee Culture and I am excited for everyone to try our coffee!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cafelatina.net
- Email: info@cafelatina.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/
cafelatinacoffee - Facebook: facebook.com/
cafeLatinaCC - Other: tiktok.com/cafelatinacc
