Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Gonzalez.
Jacqueline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The four owners of Karmic Grounds (Ameet, Ravi, Aneesh, and Rohit) met through their children’s sports events and became fast friends. They had the urge to become business partners and met over homemade lattes to discuss which venture to pursue. Through this simple ritual, they realized coffee had the power to bring their community to a single place to similarly discuss and create empowering ideas. Knowing they had limited personal experience with coffee, they took notes from one of the best in the industry; Onyx Coffee Lab. The owners of Onyx have given exchanged than coffee beans through this partnership, they have taken the time to provide valuable insight that has played an integral role in shaping Karmic Grounds during its first year of operation.
As the General Manager, I stepped into this role with 11 years spent in the coffee industry. One of my most favorite things about the coffee industry, aside from the lasting relationships it has allowed to make, is that there is always so much more to learn about craft coffee. I hope to share that continual creativity, passion, and curiosity with our team.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We have seen our fair share of successes, milestones, and obstacles in this first year of operations. As always, its a process of trial and error to get your footing with what to offer, how to build and manage your team, and to establish yourself within a community. COVID 19 has obviously thrown a unique set of challenges our way, but it has also taught us how to adapt at a moment’s notice, identify and meet the changing needs of our customers, and to be resilient when obstacles create uncertainty. After a noticeable dip in traffic, we have worked our way back to being close to as busy pre-COVID and are taking every precaution to maintain the health of our employees and guests. We launched our mobile app for online orders to be delivered curbside through contactless pickup. We are also extremely fortunate to be opening a second location on Frisco’s Main St. very soon.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Karmic Grounds Story. Tell us more about your work.
We have selected ingredients from companies we admire and view as being masters of their craft, which we also hope to be. Coupling high-quality ingredients with our team’s care and skill allows us to put out a product that we feel immensely proud of and believe is truly exceptional. We also have a beautiful and functional space that fits everyone’s needs. We have several different types of seating that allows people to work, learn, create, and connect while they’re here. Our patio has an enclosed gate and is dog-friendly. A large part of our demographic is people who come here to work, although the space is large enough that people who want to socialize don’t feel like a disturbance. We also have a very inclusive menu. We have vegan/gluten-free options for food and pastries, local craft beer, wine, artisan loose-leaf teas, and five types of milk alternatives to suit almost everyone’s taste and dietary needs.
What were you like growing up?
I still cringe at the thought of being considered a “grown-up,” so I’m not sure that I’ve changed tremendously. My first job was in a coffee shop when I was seventeen and I never thought I would fall in love enough with it to pursue it long-term, but I’m grateful it’s led me to manage a shop that I love and believe in so much. I wrote for my school newspaper, loved live music, comedies and horror movies, and valued my friendships above everything. The only difference between my younger and current self is that I’ve learned how and what to prioritize, but there’s always some room for the things that make you feel happy and whole.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3033 Ohio Dr. Suite 1000
Frisco, TX, 75035 - Website: karmicgrounds.com
- Phone: (469)300-0940
- Email: jgonzalez@karmicgrounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmic.grounds/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarmicGrounds/?tn-str=k*F
Image Credit:
Jordyn Dick
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