Today we’d like to introduce you to Luciana Gómez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to the US in 2002. I had a very promising advertising job back home but felt the need to explore the world, travel, learn about other cultures. I never planned to stay for such a long time but I found a world of opportunities here. I lived in Austin for a few years, then New York, where I continued my advertising career, which brought me to Dallas in 2010. A couple of years ago I left my executive job at a local ad agency to bring my own entrepreneurial dreams to life, which was something very rooted in my family and that we likely got from my dad. I launched a marketing consultancy specialized in multicultural segments, which does really well and it is built on what I know and what I have done all my life.
I live in Victory Park. In 2015, while returning from a walk on the Katy Trail, I thought “I love where I live but somehow it doesn’t feel like a neighborhood just yet. No neighborhood is complete without a coffee shop”. I’ve always been a coffee fan and there was no good coffee in at least a mile radius. Coincidentally, I had this thought exactly by where my shop is today, back then just an empty space in shell condition. I thought there should be a coffee shop there and it should be called “Café Victoria” so from the name to the look and feel, it is designed around Victory Park. I rushed home, sat down on my balcony with my laptop, and wrote a business plan in just 3 hours. I couldn’t stop.
I had written many business plans before for clients but never for my own business, and definitely never for a business I knew so little about. I then traveled to Europe and experienced their coffee, which I always did as a tourist, but this time I intended to bring the best ideas, menu and experience to Dallas. I felt this was lacking in our city. While chain coffee has done a lot to make coffee a bigger part of people’s everyday routine, I felt there was a huge shortage of quality coffee that can be enjoyed in a nice environment. I intended to bring that. The rest is history. I opened my shop in January 2016. In our first year, we got recognition from all local magazines, we are part of virtually all lists of best coffee in Dallas, we got awarded with the Best of Big D by D Magazine (Readers’ choice) and we are Zagat rated. More importantly, about 75% of our customers are regulars, both from nearby residences and businesses. And as our neighborhood continues to grow, we feel that Café Victoria is a big reason for people to stop by and experience the area and shop around. We are blessed to be surrounded by driven and talented business owners and we all work together to make Victory Park one of the more exciting areas to visit in Dallas.
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?
When I shared my idea with my mom, her only advice was “Do it the right way, with everything you have to give, or do not do it at all”. So, I did. I invested on my dream and took no shortcuts. I found the best people to join me on this journey. Throughout my advertising career I have managed hundreds of people and I know this is the center of a business, no matter the business, and if your people are well-trained, have the right talent and attitude, and you provide all the resources, they will succeed and so will your business.
Quality products are also a key component and I only buy the best for my business. I have surrounded myself with the most outstanding vendors that have become key partners in this journey.
And I built a space that is sophisticated yet welcoming, which is such a big part of the overall experience at our shop.
My main personal challenge was to learn about this business and immerse myself in the art of coffee making. It was amazing experience and one that continues today.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Café Victoria is a neighborhood coffee shop in the heart of Victory Park. With a sophisticated yet cozy look, an above-average quality product and superb customer service, Café Victoria is not your average coffee place. We pay close attention to the details to make sure the experience is consistently great from the product to the service to the atmosphere.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I believe in concepts that are created around the specific needs of the group and/area it caters to. There will not be another Café Victoria in a different neighborhood but I am working on a few new concepts for other areas in town. My goal is to expand the boutique coffee shop experience with concepts that are designed for the needs of the area where the shop sits. Dallas is still an untapped market when it comes to quality coffee and I would love to be part of the growth.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2422 Victory Park Ln, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75219
- Website: www.cafevictoriadallas.com
- Phone: 214-377-7037
- Email: info@cafevictoriadallas.com
- Instagram: cafevictoriadallas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafevictoriadallas/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
