I have always seen myself as an entrepreneur. Over the years I have started many businesses. Some successful, others not so much. I've dabbled in everything from selling fireworks to organizing comedy shows. Each and every endeavor helped me learn and develop into who I am today.
The very first business started and failed all within two days. In high school, some friends and I were talking about stuff to do in our little town (Miami, AZ) when we had the idea of fireworks, fire crackers specifically.
After this conversation, I knew there was a demand. I also knew I had the supply from annual trips to Marfa, Texas for 4th of July that nobody else did. I wouldn't really learn about why I had to fill the market until college economics, but when there is demand someone will supply.
Now obviously, this was not a great idea because the very next day after launch of my new business I was busted. We won't get into specifics but imagine your mom being a teacher at your high school while you are about to get suspended. They called her out of class to the vice principals office while I was getting suspended. Talk about embarrassing. For both of us.
After that first business, I didn't stop but definitely switched gears. It was while attending Arizona State University that I was really opened up to the greatness that is held within Arizona. I was meeting musicians, artists, comedians, and every other type of creative. From that day forward I knew everything I did would be to support and grow Arizona creatives and businesses.
I worked with artists to create shirts and pop ups as well as musicians to put on great shows in the years following graduation. I had the honor of working on one of the greatest albums to come out of Arizona, Black Foot Ronin.
During all this time, I did have various jobs that were just a paycheck. I never viewed them as something more until I made the decision to learn about coffee. I knew it was something that had demand and that I wanted to be apart of. I applied to all kinds of local shops around Phoenix. While I hade zero experience in coffee, a small shop called Smooth Brew gave me a chance. They are no longer around, but I sincerely appreciate being able to work and learn there. It was here that I fell in love with cold brew coffee.
Two short years later, I have launched Plus Café. With the same idea of supporting and promoting other local businesses, we plan to work with a variety of roasters across the valley over the next few years. We are launching with a favorite of mine, Bergies Coffee Roast House of Gilbert, AZ but many more are to follow! Stay tuned!
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